Brisket King® NYC will fill the air with the smell of meat, sauce, and spices from all over the world as the ultra-popular event returns to Pig Beach BBQ on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Now in its 13th year, Brisket King® NYC brings together more than 20 chefs and restaurants serving up everything from classic Texas-style low-and-slow brisket to favorites found in Jewish delis, Thai kitchens, Caribbean jerk stands, and Mexican barbacoa traditions.
"New York City’s food scene is unlike anywhere else in the world. Brisket King® NYC is about exactly that," says Jimmy Carbone, founder of Brisket King® NYC. "You've got traditional BBQ chefs standing next to chefs preparing brisket using Korean spices and techniques, sharing their knowledge and inspiring each other. It creates an amazing event that is different every year, even after 13 years,” Carbone continued. “Brisket King® NYC is incredible for the chefs… and for us since we get to eat it all!”
This year's lineup features returning champions and first-timers competing for the title of Brisket King®. Leland Avellino of Avellino Family Barbecue, the 2024 Brisket King® champion, returns to defend his title against tough competitors, including Anthony Scerri of Smoke Sweats (2024 Brisket King® Runner Up) and Darlene Lawrence of Sands Jerk Hut, whose dishes at Food Karma Projects events have netted her numerous awards, including the 2024 Rib King NYC™ Friends of Firefighters People's Choice Award. Darius Burke, a native New Yorker who now runs Takeover Barbecue in Los Angeles, returns to New York City to put up his brisket for the Brisket King® NYC crown.
The 2025 Brisket King® NYC lineup is set to include:
Leland Avellino of Avellino Family Barbecue, Stamford, CT
Darius Burke of Takeover Barbecue, North Hollywood, CA
Vincent Mangual of Empire BBQ, NYC
Oak Marprasert of KAM RAI THAI - Astoria, NY - 2024 Pig Island NYC™ Best in Show
Darlene Lawrence of Sands Jerk Hut, Brooklyn, NY
Eric Vitale of Eazy's Craft Barbecue Co., NJ
Cenobio Canalizo of Morgan's Brooklyn BBQ - Brooklyn, NY
Jose Perez of Archie Moore's and The Meat Truck, New Haven, CT
Anthony Scerri of Smoke Sweats, Brooklyn, NY
Trevon Woodford of The Brisket Guy BBQ, Springfield, NJ
Hery Acosta of Tio Rozay's BBQ, North Bergen, NJ
Samuel Alleyne of Fire + Smoke BBQ and Big Bob Gibson's Memphis in May Team, NY
Phillip and Michelle Cooley of Cooley’s BBQ - Fairlawn, NJ
Ian Gormely of Oakey Dokey BBQ - Pawtucket, RI
Nick Hancock of OK Charley’s - Collingswood, NJ
with more to be announced soon
Every ticket includes all-access to brisket and drinks, including New York-focused spirits from Brooklyn Gin, Fort Hamilton Distillery, and The New York Distilling Company, plus more spirits like Granja Nómada Mezcal, Zumbador, Aguaviva, and Piñaq. Wine and beer will be flowing with Round Table Brewery pouring crowd-favorites. There will be zero-proof options to choose from, and for those with a sweet tooth, MuMsKitchens NYC, Tipsy Scoop boozy ice cream, and Aurelia Gelato will be serving up desserts.
Brisket King® NYC is proud to have Friends of Firefighters as its community partner. Friends of Firefighters is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that provides independent, confidential, and free mental health counseling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their family members.
Tickets are on sale now at brisketking.com. Group tickets, Kick Off Pricing on General Admission Tickets, and VIP Tickets are available. VIP Tickets ($85 plus fee) include early 5:00 PM entry, the chance to talk with chefs before the crowds arrive, and an exclusive Brisket King® NYC t-shirt. General Admission tickets start at $55 (plus fee) with 6:00 PM entry.
An image gallery for press use is available here. Interviews with event founders, chefs, and spirits producers are available upon request. For media inquiries, please contact Jimmy Carbone at jimmypotsandpans@gmail.com.
Read more about Brisket King® NYC at www.brisketking.com. For all the latest updates, follow Brisket King® NYC on Instagram @brisketkingnyc. Brisket King® NYC is a 21+ rain or shine event, and the lineup and offerings are subject to change without notice. All sales are final.
Ticket Options:
5:00 PM Entry – VIP Admission
$85 + fee
Early admission at 5:00 PM with all-access to food and drinks
Mix and mingle with the chefs
Exclusive Brisket King® NYC t-shirt.
5:00 PM Entry – VIP Table for 10
$750
Perfect for groups and parties, featuring 10 discounted VIP Tickets
Reserved seating, early admission at 5:00 PM
All-access to food and drinks, mix and mingle with the chefs, and Brisket King® t-shirts for all.
6:00 PM Entry – Kick-Off Pricing General Admission
$55 + fee
Special discounted General Admission. All-access to food and drinks from 6:00 PM.
6:00 PM – General Admission
$65 + fee
All-access to food and drinks from 6:00 PM at a great value.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Pig Beach BBQ, 35-37 36th St., Ground Floor, Astoria, NY 11106
About Food Karma Projects: Food Karma Projects events are grassroots-style celebrations that bring together award-winning and rising star chefs, restaurants, artisan producers, and distributors. Founded by Jimmy Carbone, Jimmy made his mark with Jimmy’s No. 43, an iconic bar in New York City’s East Village known for its approach to craft beer and local food. He expanded his dedication to regional food communities with the founding of Food Karma Projects and under his direction, Food Karma Projects gatherings are recognized for their collaborative success stories.