Lillie's Q: Kansas City pitmaster's two-time world champion sauces and rubs — in a whiskey flask!

Charlie McKenna grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, with a grandmother named Lillie who taught him the art of Southern BBQ from childhood. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, sous-chef at two 4-star Chicago restaurants — he opened Lillie's Q in Chicago in 2010. Named "Best New BBQ Restaurant in the Country" by Food & Wine in 2011. Two-time Memphis in May champion — the world championship of BBQ. And his sauces and rubs, available at My American Market, are art in a bottle!

Did you know Lillie was real — unlike some other BBQ mascots?

Lillie McKenna, born in 1927 in Beaufort, South Carolina, was Charlie's grandmother. She passed down her passion for BBQ and Southern cooking. The "Q" in the name? That's for Quito McKenna — Charlie's father, also a passionate pitmaster. Father and son competed on the BBQ circuit together for years, from Memphis to North Carolina to Alabama. First win at Memphis in May in 2005. Second title in 2016 — with the Carolina Dirt Rub, the same one available at MYAM.

What Charlie brought differently to American BBQ: a fine dining chef's training (Tru and Avenues at Chicago's Peninsula Hotel are two of the city's most acclaimed restaurants) combined with true competition BBQ mastery. The result: sauces and rubs with a restaurant's depth and complexity, with a Southern pitmaster's authenticity.

The Lillie's Q sauces at MYAM

Lillie's Q Honey Sweet — the first sauce Charlie created, the one that started it all! Thick, rich, honey and molasses, with a caramelised sweetness that clings to meat and caramelises on the grill. Kansas City style at its purest.

Lillie's Q Touch O'Heat — sweetness with a kick! Same KC-style base but with progressive heat that arrives after a few seconds. Perfect for those who want flavour and a light chilli build.

Lillie's Q Whiskey Maple — the most original! Real American whiskey and maple syrup in a thick, complex BBQ sauce. Woody whiskey notes, maple sweetness, BBQ spices — a trio you won't find anywhere else. The sauce for special occasions!

Lillie's Q Smoke In A Bottle — liquid smoke! For those without a smoker who want the taste of smoked meat. A few drops in a marinade, braise or sauce instantly transforms any dish into something that spent hours in a smoker.

The Lillie's Q rubs at MYAM

Carolina Dirt — the rub that won Memphis in May 2016! A South Carolina-style spice blend, lightly sweet, with paprika, herbs and gentle heat. Perfect for pork — shoulder, ribs, pulled pork.

Creole Dirt — the Cajun twist! Same concept but with Creole spices. For fans of Southern cooking with a Louisiana dimension.

Q-Rub Salt Pepper Garlic — Texas-style minimalism! Salt, pepper, garlic. That's it. The Texas pitmasters' rub for those who believe beef shouldn't be masked. Perfect on brisket, ribeye, steak.

Where to buy Lillie's Q in Europe?

Lillie's Q is impossible to find in European supermarkets. My American Market, your American grocery store online, imports it straight from Chicago. Express delivery across Europe!

Into premium American BBQ? Also check out Rufus Teague, Stubb's and Sweet Baby Ray's in our shop!

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