Barbecue and a Cheez Whiz milkshake

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 5, 2016

If John Shelton Reed’s book, “Barbecue,” just whet your appetite for more, you will soon be able to get “The One True Barbecue: Fire, Smoke, and the Pitmasters Who Cook the Whole Hog” is coming out May 10. By the time you say the title, you’ll be hungry.

Rien Fertel is a food writer and historian who has traveled Tennessee and the Carolinas to find the last few pitmasters who use real smoke.

He’ll be appearing in Chapel Hill, Durham and Pittsboro with his book.

Though there are only about a dozen or so whole-hog establishments left, entrepreneurial young pitmasters are bringing about a resurgence of this time-intensive practice with new dedication, to barbecue’s lore and family legacy, and to restaurants opening in unexpected places, like Brooklyn.

Fertel maintain that the smoky, wood-fired pork cooked by whole-hog barbecue pitmasters is perhaps America’s one original food as well as the original expression of barbecue.

Um, no thanks

Wayback Burgers, which are way up in Connecticut, sells never frozen burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes.

Their new milkshake is gag-o-licious: Cheeeesy Gold Milkshake starring Cheese Whiz (actually spelled Cheez Whiz) blended with milk and vanilla bean ice cream.

They say cheese lovers will go gaga over it. More like gag, gag.

The burger joint has also served high protein milkshakes with cricket powder and beef jerky. They suggest the Cheeeeesy Gold is also useful for dipping their house-made chips in. And you can get the 22-ounce shake for just $4.50.

Wait, was this a horrible April Fool’s joke? Nope. The milkshakes were actually served at a number of their restaurants over the weekend.

Here’s what is real, and always available — they have a Triple Triple Burger, made with nine beef patties and nine slices of cheese. Hello, cardiology department.

But they also serve a Carolina Burger with chili, slaw and onions.

Political errors

Since we can’t agree on the most pressing issues in the current presidential race, it appears we are quick to judge how our candidates eat.

According to ABC news, Gov. John Kasich used a fork to eat pizza in New York City recently.

Bill De Blasio was caught ding the same thing in 2013, also using a knife.

Even the Donald and Sarah Palin were found eating pizza with forks in 2011.

John Kerry also committed a food faux pas, ordering Swiss cheese on his Philly Cheese Steak in Philly. That should be our old friend Cheez Whiz, right where it belongs. Gov. Scott Walker wanted American cheese in 2015. Horrors.

But the funniest has got to be British Prime Minister David Camer, who, in 2015, ate a hot dog with a knife and fork. Snob.

Sweet sipping

Finally, a fruity, refreshing drink for that late afternoon on the porch. the Kingston Colada is pretty simple

• 1.5 oz. good rum

• 1.5 oz. coconut water

• 1.5 oz. pineapple juice

• 3 dashes Angostura bitters

• Squeeze of lime, slice of lime

Fill a rocks glass with ice, then mix rum, coconut water, pineapple juice, bitters and lime and stir. Garnish with a slice of lime.