Behind the Scenes at Paris’ Barbecue Championship: Judges, Prizes, and Local Impact
Release Date: 01/08/2026
Behind the Scenes at Paris’ Barbecue Championship: Judges, Prizes, and Local Impact
Wine Talks with Paul K.
Paris.....Texas. The subject to two movies over the years, the most recent a romantic comedy. Listen, folks, this ain't no joke. I can personally attest that BBQ is alive in well in Texas and this day was a Championship Blowout. Wine Talks was so intrgiued about the whole culture of BBQ, that we set up a podcast with Steven White, last years Grand Champion, Laura Caldwell, the representative from the Championship Barbecue Alliance, and Paul Allen, the 8 year President of the Paris, Texas Chamber of Commerce. We had a hoot. This episode is all about barbecue in Paris, Texas, but it’s...
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Women Leading Armenia’s Wine and Tourism Revolution
Wine Talks with Paul K.
The wine movement is Armenia is "pedal to the medal." Katie, bar the door, no holds barred. As it should be. And leading the helm are some tough no non-sense women. Sisian Boghossian is one of them. Clearly, her commitment to her heritage country is firmly planted, as her intentions when arriving in Yerevan were set on gaining some experience and returning to her home in Canada. Oops, sometimes the best laid plans of mice and women are derailed. In this episode of Wine Talks, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sisian Boghossian, who brought an incredible breadth of insight and personal...
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Too Small to Fail: Passion, Humility, and Purpose at Saarloos and Sons Winery
Wine Talks with Paul K.
In all industries there are the visionaries. People that make industry veterans raise an eyebrow and reflect "this is exactly who we need." Keith Saarloos is that person for me. I won't bore you with my tenure but suffice it to say, I've been around the block...enter Keith Saarloos. I am so inspired by this man, I want to find a way to start a podcast with him. News on that later. What is cool....eac and every time I receive an inquiry to visiting the Central Coast wine district and specifically, Los Olivos, I recommend Saarloos and Sons...and each and everytime, Keith takes the moment...
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Inside Valentino: Piero Selvaggio on LA’s Italian Food Revolution and Wine Culture
Wine Talks with Paul K.
Step into the story of LA’s culinary evolution with Wine Talks, where conversations are poured as generously as the wine. In this episode, I welcomes legendary restaurateur Piero Selvaggio—a man whose career spans the golden age of Los Angeles dining, and whose philosophy on food and wine has inspired chefs, winemakers, and bon vivants the world over. Wine Talks isn’t just about swirling glasses and describing bouquets—it’s about the unforgettable people behind the bottle, and the moments that shape the table. Imagine LA in the early 1970s, when Italian cuisine meant little more...
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Breaking Wine Barriers: Rita Rosa’s Journey from Nigeria to Bordeaux
Wine Talks with Paul K.
Wine Talks has been watching this woman. She is making waves in a part of the wine world that one might not consider in daily converstaion: Nigeria. How does one become a Bordeaux specialist in Nigeria? Where does that inspiration come from? I have to tell you, having Rita Rosa on Wine Talks was like catching a warm breeze off the Mediterranean—unexpected, lively, and full of stories you want to tuck away for a rainy day with a glass of red. I started our conversation, as I often do, thinking I’d heard most things about the global wine world, but Rita took me right to the heart...
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Terroir, Technology, and Taste: The Future of Wine in Armenia
Wine Talks with Paul K.
This might meet with controversy, but I think Adam is correct. growing non-indigenous varietals, whether it be Armenia, Georgia or anywhere else, supports the chances of burgeoning wine regions to get any traction in the world of wine. It is tough out there where brand recognition is a tough battle to win, and consumers are inundated with messaging. Adam has taken, not sure I can call it the high road, but "A" road to getting his wines recognized as worthy of your attention. And he has done it by growing what otherwise would be sacreligious varietals. In this special episode, I...
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Oregon Wine's Evolution: In the Vineyard with Robert McKinley of Norris Winery
Wine Talks with Paul K.
Wine is family. True wine, true expression, true passion only comes from the support of the family. Not just your blood relatives, but the family of wine. One who is in the trade and has an earnest appreciation for the value of an honest wine, is welcome all over the world by their fellow brothers and sisters. I have seen if first hand over and over again. In this case, Robert McKinly came to Wine Talks through what might be the most authentic, meaning non-commercial, path...through a USC fraternity brother. We learned of our mutual involvement in the wine trade when we were both asked...
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Reflections on Wine, Family, and Finding Passion in Life’s Unlikely Journeys
Wine Talks with Paul K.
I came into the studio today to get some wine and organize a few things. I also wanted to test the internet connections because yesterday I had two show fall apart from internet issues. It seems they were on the guests side. As I started testing, it turns out I had something to say (shocker). Absolutely! Here’s a warm recap of the episode from my point of view as the narrator: In this episode, I took a moment to share both some personal reflections and a few heartwarming stories from the wine world. As Thanksgiving approached, I found myself in the office, grabbing wines for our family...
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How French Village Life Changed the Hoffman Family’s View of Food, Wine, and Culture
Wine Talks with Paul K.
It is a dream for many people to pick up and move to another country. Virtually, no one acts on that dream. Steve Hoffman did. And it seems it takes a certain type of partner, a certain type of children and a certain type of risk tolerance. What do you do? Throw a dart and a map of France and moce there? The answer to that question and just about any question you might have in regardst o moving your entire family to a foreign country is answered in his book "" In this episode, I sat down with Steve Hoffman—a truly fascinating guest whose life journey has taken him from tax...
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Inventing the Coravin: Greg Lambrecht on Transforming Wine Culture and Expanding By-the-Glass Exploration
Wine Talks with Paul K.
Who invents these things? and what experience do they have that gets them to the point that they can invent these things? Entrepreneurs are a crafty bunch. They dream. They test themselves. They switch gears on the fly. So goes the story of Greg Lambrecht, the inventor of the Coravin wine preservation and dispensing system. You have to believe the story, though it seems unbelievable, because it is true. Imagine a podcast where invention, passion, and the enduring mystique of wine come together—where stories of ingenuity inspire new perspectives on the familiar rituals of sharing a...
info_outlineParis.....Texas. The subject to two movies over the years, the most recent a romantic comedy. Listen, folks, this ain't no joke. I can personally attest that BBQ is alive in well in Texas and this day was a Championship Blowout.
Wine Talks was so intrgiued about the whole culture of BBQ, that we set up a podcast with Steven White, last years Grand Champion, Laura Caldwell, the representative from the Championship Barbecue Alliance, and Paul Allen, the 8 year President of the Paris, Texas Chamber of Commerce. We had a hoot.
This episode is all about barbecue in Paris, Texas, but it’s also a celebration of community, camaraderie, and a bit of competition. The host, Paul Kalemkiarian, kicks things off with heartfelt family anecdotes and dives straight into the welcoming spirit of Paris. Our guests — Steven White, Laura Caldwell, and Paul Allen — are true barbecue champions, and their love for bringing people together through food is practically contagious.
A few tasty tidbits:
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Barbecue isn’t just about grilling meat — it’s about balance. As
Steven White
explains, the trick is not being “too sweet, not too spicy, not too anything.”
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The competitions are run by alliances like the Champions Barbecue Alliance, who keep judging modern with QR codes and cell phones — no greasy, handwritten scorecards here!
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Newbies are ALWAYS welcome. Veteran pit-masters love sharing tips, but the real trick is in the execution (and maybe wrangling an occasional bacon stretcher just for laughs).
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The event supports local scholarships for kids, blending culinary skills with giving back.
Most importantly, it’s all about the joy of gathering around good food. Whether you’re debating the merits of beer, whiskey, or a surprising glass of wine with your brisket, you’re guaranteed to find laughter and friendship.
If you want more nitty-gritty details, heartwarming stories, or just an excuse to fire up your grill this weekend, this episode’s transcript is packed with flavor. Just ask if you want to zoom in on a specific part!
Let me know if you want more fun facts, tips from the pit, or favorite wine pairings to go with those ribs. I’m here to serve — lighthearted and informative, just like this Paris, Texas shindig!
YouTube: https://youtu.be/PYXxTffwzdI?si=zObHVBSRQdP9j2PM
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