Want to cook like a champion? John Delpha, chef-owner of the Belted Cow Bistro in Essex is one. His barbecue team, I Que, is currently the top-rated squad in both the New York and New England circuits. He shows Alice how he makes ribs for Tuesday barbecue nights at his restaurants – even in the snow.

AAN award-winning food writer Alice Levitt is a fan of the exotic, the excellent and automats. She wrote for Seven Days 2007-2015.