A look at American culture, particularly that of the American South, through the food tradition known as barbecue. Through ten subjects from five different states, the film explores the history and heritage of this food from its rural beginnings to its present day incarnation in large-scale commercial organisations. Shot in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Kansas City and Memphis the film explores the various customs that comprise the world of barbecue, including those of African-Americans, Mexican Americans and European immigrants.