Axiom Kitchen is once again bringing barbecue enthusiasts together for Smoke & Oak: A Fall BBQ & Whiskey Affair, this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. on The Promenade between Third and Fourth streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After hosting the Long Beach BBQ Festival in May, Axiom Kitchen\u2019s co-owner Qiana Williams-Mafnas said they received a lot of feedback that attendees wished they could have tried barbecue from more of the vendors. So Axiom created Smoke & Oak, where attendees will get unlimited samples from 14 local barbecue dealers and 8 whiskey sellers. (Tickets are $95 plus tax. They come with a tasting glass and are available here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSmoke & Oak is going to be lit,\u201d Ian Mafnas, Qiana\u2019s husband and co-owner\/pitmaster of Axiom Kitchen, said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The couple is making sure to highlight local pitmasters whose skills are sometimes underestimated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese guys, they have worked so hard, and they just amaze me,\u201d Qiana said. \u201cWhen you think of a pitmaster, you just think, like, a guy throwing some slabs of meat in a smoker. These are real chefs, like, they are creating some really cool things. I am excited to have the opportunity to see them spread their wings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n