Video: Watch Prominent Pitmasters Discuss New York City's Barbecue Boom

Organizer Mark Maynard-Parisi calls it the "mother yeast" of New York City's burgeoning barbecue community. We're talking, of course, about the annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party, first organized back in 2002 and now attracting some 150,000 people each year to Manhattan's Madison Square Park. Back in June, Food Republic was on the scene, interviewing pitmasters from near and far about the impact of the yearly festival and the roots of the city's barbecue boom in general. Check out the following Food Republic original video, shot by Zero Point Zero Productions' Kris Lindenmuth:

Related: How Barbecue Has Become New York City's Most Addictive Smoking Habit

Read more BBQ stories on Food Republic:

• Grilling God: Jenn Louis On Being An Opportunivore This BBQ Season
• Ribs, For Your Pleasure: 5 Recipes That Have Determined Yup, It's Ribs For Dinner
• Barbecue Tourism Is A Real Thing: Here's The 2014 Competition Calendar