Frank Ostini, Chef/Owner/Winemaker of The Hitching Post II Restaurant and Winery in Buellton, California announces the end to the restaurant’s beloved cult seasoning, Magic Dust, but in name only.
Hitching Post II Magic Dust has been in use at the restaurant to season their grilled food and sold to fans for over 15 years, but Ostini recently learned that the name and trademark belongs to another famous BBQ restaurant, the 17th St. Bar and Grill in Murphysboro, Indiana, who has been selling their own Magic Dust for over 20 years.Three time winners of the Memphis in May’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, Ostini and his brother Bob met the owners at a benefit in Denver, and again at the National Barbeque Association convention in Mobile, Alabama.The Ostinis became fast friends with 17th St.’s Mike and Amy Mills and feel a duty to honor the 17th St. Bar and Grill by changing the Hitching Post’s Magic Dust name in order to give credit where credit is due.
The Magic Dust “SweepSteaks” invites the public to enter their suggestions for a new name for the special seasoning which will launch on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HPostII, and run until April 14, 2014. A panel of judges will select the winners who will be announced at the Hitching Post II Open House on April 21, 2013 in celebration of the Santa Barbara Vintners’ Festival Weekend.1st Place Winner will receive a $200 Gift Certificate with six more prizes available. Details for the contest are on the Hitching Post II Facebook page. Guests will also attend the “Wake” to bury the last of Magic Dust and take part in the christening of the newly-named Hitching Post II BBQ Spice as the winners are announced.Cost for the Open House is $25 per guest and reservations are required. Contestants are not required to be present to win.
The Hitching Post II Restaurant and Winery has a devoted audience among both food and wine aficionados and has been favorably reviewed in Wine Spectator, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, and the New York Times.
posted by Anna Nguyen
04/09/2013
