South Carolina
The Best Barbecue in the World: Secrets, Sauces and Smokers
Program No. 1661060MEADV-1116-60
For some, BBQ is more than just cooking, it’s a way of life. Come see for yourself as you join an experienced pitmaster for an in-depth look at their culinary craft.
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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 23 - Mar 28, 2025
Starting at
1,749DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Mar 23 - Mar 28, 2025
Starting at
2,199Not seeing the date you're looking for?
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5B 4L 5D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Ridgeland, SC
2
Lowcountry BBQ History, Hands-on Cooking BBQ Chicken
Ridgeland, SC
3
Ribs & Rubs
Ridgeland, SC
5
BBQ Gadgets, Graduation, Free Time
Ridgeland, SC
6
Closing Session, Program Concludes
Ridgeland, SC
At a Glance
Explore the history and experience mouthwatering recreations of the world’s oldest live-fire cuisine! Delve into the evolution, philosophy and customs of this delicious culinary art form with South Carolina Master BBQ Champion and award-winning Chef, Pit-Master Seth Watari. Set out into the antebellum South to discover the secrets to succulent barbecue in South Carolina’s Low Country — a naturally beautiful and culturally rich coastal region that is the undisputed birthplace of southern BBQ.
Activity Level
Easy Going
Walking 2-3 blocks; some uneven terrain.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn the history, methodology and application of traditional barbecue with exposure to numerous proteins and enjoy hands-on experiences as you prepare perfectly paired side dishes for each day’s themed dinners.
- Practice cooking methods for rendering tough cuts of meat into succulent BBQ — from proper fuels, injections and rubs to wood types and the proper application of the low-and-slow methodology.
- Discover how the flavor profiles change with new marinades, injections and dry rubs and transition to hot-and-fast cooking methods.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for light exercise, interaction with the local community, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal and evening entertainment on at least one night. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Seth Watari
Seth is an award-winning cook, competition judge and instructor specializing in Lowcountry barbecue native to South Carolina. His interest in barbecue dates back to the mid-1980s when he lived in Herndon, Virginia. He is a cofounder of the Southern Barbecue Network, which sanctions tournaments and certifies judges in South Carolina, and the co-owner and pit master of the Some-R Swine competition team. Seth has also taught at the Carolina Pit Masters Barbecue Cooking School.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Seth Watari
View biography
Seth is an award-winning cook, competition judge and instructor specializing in Lowcountry barbecue native to South Carolina. His interest in barbecue dates back to the mid-1980s when he lived in Herndon, Virginia. He is a cofounder of the Southern Barbecue Network, which sanctions tournaments and certifies judges in South Carolina, and the co-owner and pit master of the Some-R Swine competition team. Seth has also taught at the Carolina Pit Masters Barbecue Cooking School.
Suggested Reading List
(9 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best Barbecue in the World: Secrets, Sauces and Smokers
Program Number: 16610
The Water is Wide
Pat Conroy's memoir about teaching on Daufuskee Island in a one-room schoolhouse. The book was made into the movie Conrack, starring Jon Voight. Sense of place and people.
Product Description from publisher: The island is nearly deserted, haunting, beautiful. Across a slip of ocean lies South Carolina. But for the handful of families on Yamacraw island, America is a world away. For years the people here lived proudly from the sea, but now its waters are not safe. Waste from industry threatens their very existence--unless, somehow, they can learn a new life. But they will learn nothing without someone to teach them, and their school has no teacher.
Here is PAT CONROY'S extraordinary drama based on his own experience: the true story of a man who gave a year of his life to an island and the new life its people gave him.
A Coast for All Seasons: A Naturalist's Guide to the Coast of South Carolina
From Book Description:
"Explore the marvels of the South Carolina coast through the eyes of two gifted coastal geologists. Miles O. Hayes and Jacqueline Michel take their exceptional understanding of the Carolina coast with its barrier islands, estuaries and bays, and, offer rare insights into this beautiful, and, sometimes, treacherous world.
Illustrations, photographs and satellite imagery enhance a narrative that presents hard science and makes it accessible and very human. This is a book that investigates the changing face of the coastline through erosion, hurricanes and climate change. This is a book that matters."
The Spirit of Sweetgrass
Seitz's main character is Essie Mae Laveau Jenkins, a Gullah sweetgrass basketmaker who weaves her magic on the roadside near Mt. Pleasant. With her special love baskets, she works to brings people together. Conflict ensues when her daughter wants her to go to a rest home, and the florist she's been trying to fix up turns out to be gay. Sweetgrass making, roadside basket sellers in the Charleston area, mystery, comedy, family relationships, friends.
Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish, and other Entities of the Coastal Environment (2nd edition)
Copied from Book Description: "Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast, second edition, is a completely updated, revised, and expanded version of the book originally published in 1991. It is a practical, entertaining, reader-friendly guide to the common animals, plants, and environment of the Carolina coast. Fully illustrated, with over 150 color photographs to aid with identification of over 120 subjects, plus additional drawings with in-depth information on each subject. Scientifically accurate, yet written in language the lay public can understand. It is a perfect resource for coastal residents and visitors along the North Carolina/South Carolina, and even the Georgia coast. A beachcomber's handbook; valuable to any seaside explorer."
"The Swamp Fox"
Here's the link to this article about one of the most famous Revolutionary War heroes in SC, and one for whom counties and cities are named. Francis Marion used his knowledge of the swamps and woods of SC and his attention to details to outwit British troops and earn his nickname. A poor speller, he was nonetheless a great report-writer. www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/biography/fox.html
Tideland Treasure
Hand-drawn illustrations enhance the explanations. Each page was once an article in the local paper. Written for regular folks, there's information to satisfy trained naturalists.
Confederates in the Attic
This is one of the funniest, most poignant, appalling, and clear pictures of the modern South's relationship to the Civil War she's ever seen. She says Horwitz (not a Southerner) is a great writer, no matter his topic, and here he jumps into his topic with both muddied feet.
From the Book Description: When prize-winning war correspondent Tony Horwitz leaves the battlefields of Bosnia and the Middle East for a peaceful corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains, he thinks he's put war zones behind him. But awakened one morning by the crackle of musket fire, Horwitz starts filing front-line dispatches again this time from a war close to home, and to his own heart.
Propelled by his boyhood passion for the Civil War, Horwitz embarks on a search for places and people still held in thrall by America's greatest conflict. The result is an adventure into the soul of the unvanquished South, where the ghosts of the Lost Cause are resurrected through ritual and remembrance.
In Virginia, Horwitz joins a band of 'hardcore' reenactors who crash-diet to achieve the hollow-eyed look of starved Confederates; in Kentucky, he witnesses Klan rallies and calls for race war sparked by the killing of a white man who brandishes a rebel flag; at Andersonville, he finds that the prison's commander, executed as a war criminal, is now exalted as a martyr and hero; and in the book's climax, Horwitz takes a marathon trek from Antietam to Gettysburg to Appomattox in the company of Robert Lee Hodge, an eccentric pilgrim who dubs their odyssey the 'Civil Wargasm.'
Written with Horwitz's signature blend of humor, history, and hard-nosed journalism, Confederates in the Attic brings alive old battlefields and new ones 'classrooms, courts, country bars' where the past and the present collide, often in explosive ways. Poignant and picaresque, haunting and hilarious, it speaks to anyone who has ever felt drawn to the mythic South and to the dark romance of the Civil War.
Looking for Longleaf: The Fall and Rise of an American Forest
Our Naturalists say that this is the “best all around for naturalists and history lovers.” Longleaf pine forests are a special ecosystem and home to the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.
From Book Description: "Covering 92 million acres from Virginia to Texas, the longleaf pine ecosystem was, in its prime, one of the most extensive and biologically diverse ecosystems in North America. Today these magnificent forests have declined to a fraction of their original extent, threatening such species as the gopher tortoise, the red-cockaded woodpecker, and the Venus fly-trap. Conservationists have proclaimed longleaf restoration a major goal, but has it come too late?
In Looking for Longleaf, Lawrence S. Earley explores the history of these forests and the astonishing biodiversity of the longleaf ecosystem, drawing on extensive research and telling the story through first-person travel accounts and interviews with foresters, ecologists, biologists, botanists, and landowners. For centuries, these vast grass-covered forests provided pasture for large cattle herds, in addition to serving as the world's greatest source of naval stores. They sustained the exploitative turpentine and lumber industries until nearly all of the virgin longleaf had vanished.
Looking for Longleaf demonstrates how, in the twentieth century, forest managers and ecologists struggled to understand the special demands of longleaf and to halt its overall decline. The compelling story Earley tells here offers hope that with continued human commitment, the longleaf pine might not just survive, but once again thrive."
The Prince of Tides
Pat Conroy's novel captures the beauty of the lowcountry as it moves from present to past and back again. Made into a movie by the same title starring Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte. Narrated by Tom Wingo, the novel explores the relationships between members of a dysfunctional family as it moves between the lowcountry to Manhattan. Shrimping, good description of salt marshes.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Ridgeland, SC
Program Concludes
Ridgeland, SC
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
14
| 5B |
4L |
5D |
Activity Level
Explore the history and experience mouthwatering recreations of the world’s oldest live-fire cuisine! Delve into the evolution, philosophy and customs of this delicious culinary art form with South Carolina Master BBQ Champion and award-winning Chef, Pit-Master Seth Watari. Set out into the antebellum South to discover the secrets to succulent barbecue in South Carolina’s Low Country — a naturally beautiful and culturally rich coastal region that is the undisputed birthplace of southern BBQ.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Learn the history, methodology and application of traditional barbecue with exposure to numerous proteins and enjoy hands-on experiences as you prepare perfectly paired side dishes for each day’s themed dinners.
- Practice cooking methods for rendering tough cuts of meat into succulent BBQ — from proper fuels, injections and rubs to wood types and the proper application of the low-and-slow methodology.
- Discover how the flavor profiles change with new marinades, injections and dry rubs and transition to hot-and-fast cooking methods.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for light exercise, interaction with the local community, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal and evening entertainment on at least one night. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
Seth Watari
Seth is an award-winning cook, competition judge and instructor specializing in Lowcountry barbecue native to South Carolina. His interest in barbecue dates back to the mid-1980s when he lived in Herndon, Virginia. He is a cofounder of the Southern Barbecue Network, which sanctions tournaments and certifies judges in South Carolina, and the co-owner and pit master of the Some-R Swine competition team. Seth has also taught at the Carolina Pit Masters Barbecue Cooking School.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Activity Level
Easy Going
Walking 2-3 blocks; some uneven terrain.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(9 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals | 5B | 4L | 5D |
9 expert-led lectures
7 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Ridgeland, SC
Meals:
D
Stay:
LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity Note
Check-in and Program Registration from 4:30 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Check in to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. FYI, early arrival requires advance contact with the Group Leader. At 5:30 p.m. please join us for a welcome “meet & greet” reception to get to know your fellow Road Scholars.
Dinner:
6:00 p.m. in the main dining area. We will also meet our master BBQ chef.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Lowcountry BBQ History, Hands-on Cooking BBQ Chicken
Location:
Ridgeland, SC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity Note
Standing and sitting for periods of time with breaks. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear.
Breakfast:
Main dining area.
Morning:
We’ll start the day learning about the history of and philosophy behind Lowcountry BBQ with our Master BBQ Chef and certified BBQ Judge. We’ll then get started with our first hands-on cooking class, learning a unique preparation method as we prepare the star of our meal, chicken, for the pit.
Lunch:
Main dining area.
Afternoon:
We’ll have some more expert instruction while we “slow smoke” our BBQ chickens in the pit.
Dinner:
Main dining area. We’ll enjoy our freshly smoked BBQ chickens.
Evening:
We’ll gather to learn about the background, natural and cultural history of the surrounding area, and the LifeTides Institute.
Day
3
Ribs & Rubs
Location:
Ridgeland, SC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity Note
Standing and sitting for periods of time with breaks.
Breakfast:
Main dining area.
Morning:
We’ll have a class to learn about the history, technique, and application of barbecue to ribs cooked Lowcountry Style. Along the way, we’ll learn about spare ribs, baby back ribs, St. Louis style ribs and feather bones. Switching gears, we’ll learn how to prepare Chicken Pilau, a local side dish using the chicken leftover from last night’s dinner and the best green beans ever from the grill.
Lunch:
Main dining area.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll get hands-on with ribs. Using what we learned in this morning’s class, we’ll also discuss different types of rubs, how they are made and used as we prepare our next meal.
Dinner:
Main dining area. We’ll enjoy the food we helped prepare.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by a local sweet grass basket maker who will demonstrate the art of basket making, while sharing the history behind this amazing art. Afterwards, since tomorrow's pork needs 12 to 14 hours in the smoker, we'll begin preparing pork butts using the low and slow method.
Day
4
Sauces, Woods, Fuels, Cookers, Pulled Pork & BBQ Pit Beans
Location:
Ridgeland, SC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity Note
Standing and sitting for periods of time with breaks.
Breakfast:
Main dining area.
Morning:
We’ll start by discussing sauces and injections including a sauce tasting exercise. Then we’ll jump into today’s main topic: pork. Our instructor will explain two ways to smoke pork butts: low and slow and fast and hot. Next, we’ll get hands on, learning how to prepare baked beans using left over rib meat from last night’s dinner, along with two types of coleslaw: creamy green and Red-White-Blue. Our baked beans are prepared and cooked "old style" in a cast iron Dutch oven over charcoal.
Lunch:
Main dining area.
Afternoon:
We’ll get hands-on with pork butts. Using what we learned this morning, we’ll prepare the butts for the smoker and our dinner. As they cook, we’ll enjoy some time tending the smoker with our Pit Master. It’s a relaxed environment and a great time for questions.
Dinner:
Main dining area. We’ll enjoy the food we helped prepare.
Evening:
We’ll be joined by a captivating story teller who will share local history and culture of the Lowcountry.
Day
5
BBQ Gadgets, Graduation, Free Time
Location:
Ridgeland, SC
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity Note
Standing and sitting for periods of time with breaks.
Breakfast:
Main dining area.
Morning:
We’ll begin with a discussion of BBQ gadgets “101.” Our Pit Master will review the science of BBQ and the latest gadgets to help us cook. We’ll then have our Pit Master “graduation” and class photos.
Lunch:
Main dining area.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
Main dining area. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll enjoy a special farewell party with seasonal delights and a round-table discussion about the program. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Closing Session, Program Concludes
Location:
Ridgeland, SC
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Main dining area.
Morning:
We’ll get together for a final session to review and wrap up, ask any remaining questions, and share parting stories. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
14 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
- Mar 09, 2025 - Mar 14, 2025
- Mar 23, 2025 - Mar 28, 2025
- Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
- Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 13 Reviews
Sort By:
The BBQ program was great from many perspectives: Learning about the history and methods of BBQ; staying in the relaxing, marsh-side cottages of Lifetides; learning about the low country of South Carolina; and meeting interesting people.
— Review left October 25, 2024
Great relaxing atmosphere and location to participate in fun activity with master pitmaster. Program encourages comradery and "family" atmosphere. The blend of food preparation and cultural roots of this type of meal preparation, especially in the South, was most interesting and supplemented by Gullah craftsmen and stories. Free time allowed for travel in nearby cities to expand on understanding this interesting cultural and natural area.
— Review left October 22, 2024
This is an excellent program in large part due to the superb teaching of Pit Master Seth Watari. He provided advance organizing materials, demonstrated techniques, and then had us get to work on the smoked food and BBQ (which was delicious). I only wish I had taken a picture of my husband spatchcocking a chicken!
— Review left April 14, 2024
Jan and Andy of Life Tides are passionate about this amazing center which seeks to elevate our understanding and care of the environment. Our cottage fronted on the marsh engulfed with birds, live oaks, tidal waters was the ultimate in a peaceful coexistence with nature. The LifeTiders were always available to share their passions of this delicate corner of the earth. Since my consumption of barbecue meats is “only on special occasions” Jan ensured that every meal had fresh, organic, and expertly prepared whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. And Andy continued to bake show stopping cuisine such as his grandmother’s biscuits made with butter, 24” cast iron fresh pineapple upside-down cake, and delicate, real maple syrup pecan pie which disappeared in record time. Having a small number of participants is an important component of this program’s success. Everyone had hands-on cooking and everyone could sit together at one large table for every feast and FEAST we did. We loved the celebration of South Carolina lowcountry culture, people, and cuisine! We are most anxious to return. Life Tides Institute is a gem and also has marvelous kayaking, birding, and photography trips. We are so fortunate to gave discovered this gem.
— Review left October 6, 2023
One of the best aspects of this program is the small group of no more than 13. This is because the location cannot accommodate a large group. However, I have been looking for all of the roadscholar mini groups, and I think this would certainly be part of this group. I would like to see more. The location is amazing, the people are very interesting and I would recommend this. The low activity level should not detract if you have the energy to drive a small way to see many surrounding fascinating museums, and historic sites.
— Review left October 1, 2023
Our BBQ trip exceeded expectations. The lodging was perfect, our view of the marsh and the sunrises and sunsets were the most beautiful I have ever seen. The staff saw to our every need. They provided delicious breakfast and lunch and desserts. And then there was the food! I learned so much that even though I don't have a grill I can still adapt the recipes to the oven or of course use our friends grill. The instructor covered history, food prep, how to do competition style grilling, educated us on all the various grills and smokers available and gave us ample opportunity to do hands on work with the chicken, ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, crack cheese bread and several low country sides. We started with a low country boil and finished with an oyster roast. We got to know the other participants because the group was small and they just all added to the fun. This is a unique botique adventure that would be hard to find anywhere else. Just the right combination of learning, cooking, eating, friendship and still downtime to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
— Review left April 18, 2023
We learned a lot about BBQ and plan to use our new knowledge. Seth Watari is a wonderful instructor and Life Tides is a beautiful site.
— Review left April 17, 2023
This program was a lot of fun. I learned a great deal about low country barbecue. I had the best spare ribs I’ve ever eaten. I came straight home and smoked some on my own to make sure I could do it by myself. They turned out just as good as the others. Seth was a great instructor. The group size was perfect. It was small enough that everyone was able to have significant hands on experiences with all aspects of meal preparation.
The accommodations were very nice. They were clean quiet and beautiful. Andy and Jan were great hosts. Almost immediately I felt like I had known them for years. I would recommend this program to anyone regardless of what they think they know about smoking and barbecuing.
— Review left April 11, 2023
The Best Barbecue in the World: Secrets, Sauces and Smokers April 2023 was a whole lot of fun. The Instructor was fabulous and generous with his equipment, knowledge, and recipes. We spent the most time on actual food preparation, both barbecued meat and a variety of sides and appetizers. The hands-on part of the course was especially useful and helped us get to know the other participants, some of whom were new to barbecue and some were very experienced. All of us left with knowledge of how barbecue is done and the various techniques and ingredients that make it a unique cuisine.
The accommodations were delightful and offered a beautiful view of the surrounding marsh from your porch. The location between Charleston and Savannah permitted an exploration of the SC coastal communities when we had a few hours off.
The hosts were delightful and even capped off the week with an oyster roast. All in all a delightful and educational experience. I recommend it for anybody who wants to learn more about barbecue in a small class among friendly helpful people.
— Review left April 8, 2023
The Lowlands BBQ Program was excellent! Seth, the presenter, was knowledgeable and generous with his time and information. The hosts at the LifeTides Institute, Jan and Andy, were gracious and friendly. The accommodations were perfect. I am very satisfied and would rate my experience as: 5 star +.
— Review left April 8, 2023
Everything about this program was fantastic. If you miss this opportunity to learn about the world of BBQ, you are missing one of the most fun experiences you can imagine. I signed up for this program only because my friends convinced me; it was truly one of, if not the best, Road Scholar programs that I’ve ever been on. I’m SO glad I went!!!
— Review left April 7, 2023
FIVE STARS! The Best Barbecue program offered much more than I anticipated. I thought I already knew right much about Barbecue but it was minimal compared to what I learned. Champion Pitmaster JT Handy shared his deep love for all things barbecue through history, tastes, grilling, and smoking. I returned home with a more thorough understanding of what Barbecue truly is and how it came to be. And it’s NOT what you do on the grill to hotdogs and hamburgers!
I was pleased that there was a good deal of hands on preparation for our dinner meals but it was completely optional. We could choose whether to get the pork butts, chicken, ribs, brisket, potatoes, vegetables, salad, beans, bread, etc. ready for our nightly dinners or simply sit on the screened porch enjoying an iced tea, a cup of coffee, or a self-provided adult beverage.
Andy Hooten and Jan Schatz were most gracious, friendly hosts. They treated us like a loving family. The meals they prepared for breakfast and lunch were beyond amazing! On the first and last night Andy and Jan cooked some of their specialties and no fine dining establishment could have done it better! Local oyster season was winding down and they had an oyster roast for us before dinner one evening.
Our accommodations were in a cluster of well appointed, comfortable cottages overlooking the marshlands of LifeTides Institute. We gathered for meals and camaraderie in a main cottage just steps away from our various shared cottages.
LifeTides Institute is a learning center with the mission of teaching adults and local school students about the Biological Diversity of the SC Lowcountry Environment. In addition to being a fabulous cook, our host Andy is a biologist focusing on coastal and marine resource management and the sustainability of those environments.
When the program was over we all commented that we would like Road Scholar to offer a Barbecue 201 program to further our knowledge and give us a chance to return to this lovely place.
— Review left June 2, 2019
If you enjoy barbeque, the outdoors and a great experience this is the program for you. The Instructor, JT, was great and the Program Providers were awesome. They all made for an incredible experience.
— Review left April 16, 2019
