Fort BBQ shows appreciation to soldiers

FORT IRWIN • Most soldiers at Fort Irwin have tried or at least heard of regional barbecue styles like Texas or Memphis barbecue — but California barbecue?

On Tuesday, hundreds of fort soldiers got their first taste of what David Biber, owner of Two Guys Grilling, has officially dubbed “California Q.” Biber’s team and volunteer soldier cooks fired up the grills for about 510 soldiers in recognition of the Army declaring 2009 “The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer.”

According to Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, the highest ranking enlisted officer in the United States Army who also attended Tuesday’s event, noncommissioned officers “are the glue” that’s held the Army together during the past eight years of war.

There are about 1,100 noncommissioned officers at Fort Irwin, according to Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Martinez of the National Training Center.

Soldiers feasted on the regional twist to barbecue, which included seafood like shrimp and lobster tail as well as traditional choices like pork. “California Q,” a term that Two Guys Grilling has copyrighted, includes lots of fruits and vegetables, some spiciness, and a focus on very low sodium and high protein, Biber said.

“On the left coast, we go healthy,” said Biber. The Dana Point-based business started off as a cooking venture between two neighbors — Biber and neighbor Michael Todd. Their unique grilling method and flavor caught on as they grilled for small scale events.

“We did a couple of block parties and the phone started ringing,” said Biber.

Staff Sgt. Henry Cortez, a  native of San Antonio, Texas, manned one of the grills Tuesday and noted that Biber’s style of barbecue involves many steps — grilling, smoking in a pecan chip fired pit, slicing, baking and grilling some more.

“It’s a different process of cooking,” said Cortez. He noted that Biber’s passion for grilling came through in the unique flavors.

“David just has a love for the food,” Cortez said.

Biber’s crew hosted its first event at Fort Irwin Tuesday, but plans to hold the free barbecue annually. For Biber, the highlight was meeting the noncommissioned officers — the young, everyday soldiers.

“Meeting the officers was nice, but these people are the ones who protect our country,” he said.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4122 or elee@desertdispatch.com