An American Culinary Curiosity Dinner

Get ready for a night of unforgettable dishes at An American Culinary Curiosity Dinner with Bill Oakley, in collaboration with pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue!

Known for his Emmy Award-winning writing for The Simpsons, Portlandia, Futurama, and Mission Hill, Bill is coming to Franklin Backyard on Sunday, October 18, to share amusing anecdotes and culinary commentary about the world of unusual American regional dishes.

But the real star of the evening is the food. Acclaimed pit master Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, will be putting his smoke-and-fire stamp on a menu of rare regional American foods. These are delicacies that are hard to find outside their hometowns and are rarely, if ever, served in Austin, and you'll be getting Franklin's unique take on each one of them.

This exclusive in-person event offers ticketholders the rare opportunity to explore the weird, bold, and iconic tastes of American cuisine. Bill will host the dinner and provide a multimedia slideshow offering a deep dive into the often-strange and funny lore behind every dish you'll be eating.

Your meal will consist of seven surprise! seated courses, large and small, including dessert. (IMPORTANT: Due to the unusual nature of this meal, special orders and food allergies cannot be accommodated, sorry.)

*Gratuity is included in the ticket price.

**Guests must be 16 years of age or older.

About Bill: 
Bill Oakley is an Emmy-winning writer and producer best known for his iconic work on The Simpsons, where he co-ran the show during its critically acclaimed seventh and eighth seasons. He co-created the cult classic animated series Mission Hill and has contributed to other beloved shows like Futurama and Portlandia. Bill’s cultural impact extends beyond television—he wrote the “Steamed Hams” scene, a segment from The Simpsons that evolved into a viral meme, earning the title of Meme of the Year in 2018 from Know Your Meme.

In recent years, Bill has transitioned from showrunning to the culinary world, where his sharp humor and love for American food have made him a sought-after voice in the industry. A regular contributor to the History Channel’s The Food That Built America and a guest on Afternoon Live, Bill combines storytelling with culinary expertise. His collaborations with prominent chefs like Robert Irvine and J. Kenji López-Alt have further solidified his voice as a notable comic voice in American food culture.

Bill’s many food-related projects include the creation and curation of an American Culinary Curiosity Dinner, a sold-out Portland event celebrating regional American dishes, and partnering with Level Beer to create Steamed Hams Lager, inspired by his Simpsons legacy. Through his food reviews and projects like The Steamie Awards, Bill continues to explore and celebrate the culture and history of American cuisine with wit and insight.

About Aaron: 

Aaron Franklin is the pitmaster and co-founder of Franklin Barbecue, the legendary Austin barbecue joint that helped put Central Texas barbecue on the world stage. What started with a small trailer in 2009 grew into one of the most influential barbecue restaurants in the country.

Known for his obsessive attention to detail, Aaron has spent years perfecting the art of cooking brisket—developing a distinctive approach to fire, smoke, seasoning, and time. His work has earned Franklin Barbecue a devoted following, a James Beard Award, and a reputation for some of the country's most sought-after brisket.

Beyond the restaurant, Aaron is an author, teacher, and advocate for the craft of barbecue. His books and videos have helped a generation of backyard cooks and aspiring pitmasters understand that great barbecue is less about complicated recipes and more about mastering the fundamentals: good meat, good fire, patience, and repetition.

Still based in Austin, Aaron continues to cook, experiment, build things, and find new ways to share his obsession with all things gastronomy.