You can almost taste summer in California. The smell of the wood-burning fires at beaches wafts through the air, providing a reminder that the BBQ season is coming on strong. There are hundreds of chili cook-offs lined up in 2011, and though a fiery bowl of chili is delicious, it doesn't "cut the mustard" for REAL BBQ addicts. They share a passion for the sweet & smoky sensation that only comes through ample use of oak, mesquite or hickory woods, and delicious BBQ sauces basted onto smoked meats during the cooking process. Yum!

One of the great events to launch BBQ season in California is Orange County BBQ Festival, held at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa on Saturday, June 11, 2011. Combining some of America's classic, there's a car show, BBQ Cook-off where you help judge the winners with your vote while tasting samples included with admission price of $10, BBQ Rib Eating Contest, and even a Butterfly Release. Combining food, fancy cars, and the final element, a good cause (proceeds help kids with serious illnesses,) it's a win-win and fun-fun to launch the BBQ season. If you're getting hungry and want to sign-up, all the sweet goods such as contests and admission are on quenforkids.com.