Disaster Averted

Ed Mitchell Scared Us for a Second With This Butterball Business

Ed Mitchell, large and in charge.
Ed Mitchell, large and in charge. Photo: Melissa Hom

The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is no stranger to awkward promotions. You’ll recall the late Billy Mays plugging OxiClean a couple of years back, and the National Pork Board has also set up a tent to promote “the other white meat.” But this is something else entirely: According to a press release that really did terrify us for a second, Ed Mitchell is teaming up with Butterball to bring turkey barbecue (the “other, other white meat,” per his Raleigh restaurant’s menu) to the BABBP this year. Never mind that Butterball is a strange pick for a man who prides himself on using local, free-range, hormone-free pork — our real concern is: Does this mean he won’t be serving his coveted whole-hog sandwiches? Actually, it turns out Mitchell will still be chopping pig and laying on the vinegar, so don’t you worry; you will be seeing this sight again this year. And oh what a beautiful sight it is.

Ed Mitchell Scared Us for a Second With This Butterball Business