BBQ classes make great gifts! Purchase a class and we’ll mail a custom class certificate to the recipient!

2010 Class Schedule

Beginning BBQ 101: Ribs & Chicken: NEW! 5/15/10
BBQ 102: Briskets and Butts: NEW! 3/20/10 and 4/10/10
Everything Grill:
Pork Tenderloin/Loin and Beef Loin, plus wine-tasting!: 2/13/10
Smoking Turkey and Whole Chicken:
Just Ribs:
Grilled Seafood:

Play the video below to see Chris Marks teaching about smoke rings at our January 16th, 2010 Ribs & Chicken class!

Reservation Deadlines: Please make your reservation one week prior to the class date at the latest.

Important Information: Full payment of class fee is due at the time of enrollment. Because Backyard Bash must purchase perishable meat and supply tools and other products for the class, the fee is non-refundable. Class will be held rain or shine. Space is limited to 20 students per class. All classes are held at our store.

Call us at 816-587-9990 to make your reservation.

About Our Instructor:

Owner of Three Little Pigs BBQ & Catering in Kansas City, MO and General Manager of Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties, Chris Marks has won over 40 competition events all over the United States. In the last twelve years, Chris has won the prestigious American Royal Championship eight times. He has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Taste of America with Mark DeCarlo”, the Food Network’s “BBQ Battle” and numerous local broadcast and radio events throughout the Midwest.

Class Descriptions

Just Ribs

Want to learn how to smoke delicious, competition-quality ribs? Sign up for Backyard Bash’s hands-on Just Ribs class with instructor Chris Marks of Three Little Pigs! Each student will get his or her own slab of baby back ribs to prepare and smoke. Chris, an American Royal champion eight times over, will teach you his award-winning techniques. Make sure to come ready to eat! You’ll enjoy mouth-watering baby back ribs and side dishes for dinner!

Fee: $50 per person
Time: 5pm – 8pm

Beginning BBQ 101: Ribs & Chicken

Want to learn how to smoke delicious, competition-quality ribs and chicken? Sign up for Backyard Bash’s hands-on beginning smoking class with instructor Chris Marks of Three Little Pigs! Each student will get his or her own slab of baby back ribs, a chicken breast and a chicken thigh to prepare. Chris, an American Royal champion many times over, will take you through the entire smoking process and cover topics such as different types of smokers and common mistakes when smoking. Students will eat mouth-watering smoked chicken for lunch and take a “smoked to perfection” slab of baby back ribs home.

Topics Covered:

• Baby back ribs from start to finish. (Hands-on)
• Chicken from start to finish. (Hands-on)
• Types of grills and smokers
• BBQ techniques
• Types of wood
• Fuel
• Common mistakes
• And much more!

Fee: $75 for individuals, $112.50 for couples sharing class materials.*
Time: 10am-3pm

*Includes one slab of baby back ribs, one chicken breast and one chicken thigh per person. Also includes instruction, additional refreshments, rubs, sauces, tools and use of equipment.

BBQ 102: Briskets and Butts
In this sequel to the chicken and ribs class, Chris Marks will teach you how to smoke incredible beef brisket and pork butt. Lunch will be provided. Students will take any leftover brisket or pulled pork home at the end of class.

Chris will leave no stone unturned in this in-depth tutorial. The class will be divided into four parts:

I. Cuts of Meat
a. Briskets
b. Pork Butts
II. Preparation
a. Marinades
b. Rubs
c. Injection
III. Cooking Techniques
IV. Finishing Techniques

Fee: $75 for individuals, $112.50 for married couples sharing class materials.
Time: 10am – 3pm (class usually ends before 3pm–however, due to variations in cooking times, class may last through 3pm)

Pork Tenderloin/Loin and Beef Tenderloin (Fillet)
You’ll learn smoking and grilling techniques for Pork Tenderloin / Loin and Beef Tenderloin (also known as fillet mignon). Chris will cover proper cooking temps and marinating, glazing and butterflying pork tenderloins, as well as tips for grilling pre-prepared pork tenderloin. This class will also include wine pairings!
Fee: $65
Time: 11am – 2pm

Everything Grill!
Everything Grill will focus on basic and advanced grilling techniques. Topics to be covered are meat, fish, chicken, seafood, vegetables, sausage and ribs. Each class will include a lecture, hands-on activities and lots of sampling!
Fee: $50
Time: 5pm

Grilling Seafood
Learn to grill succulent seafood. Plus, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting to help you choose the best wine to present with your grilled seafood meal.
Fee: $65
Time: 5pm

Smoking Turkey and Whole Chicken
Just in time for Thanksgiving, 2009! Learn techniques for smoking and grilling whole chicken and turkey, including spatchcock chicken, Jay’s Grilled Chicken Cordon Blue, injecting, seasoning and more.
Fee: $50
Time: 10am – 3pm