Top in Grilling - Who Knew?

I just read online today that on May 14, 2006 St. Louis was named the "Top Grilling City". It was reported in the St. Louis Fine Restaurant Guide here. And last year St. Louis was in second place! Jackson, Mississippi was first in 2005.

Here are the top 10 Grilling Cities in 2006:

• St. Louis, Missouri
  
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Grand Rapids, Mich.
• New Orleans/Mobile, Ala.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Jackson, Miss.
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Atlanta
• Charlotte, N.C
  

Kingsford Charcoal ranked 60 different cities across the United States based on the annual sales of charcoal, barbecue sauce, grills and picnic items. They said that in one year places like Grand Rapids, Michigan and Des Moines, Iowa (which were in the lower 20 grilling cities) are now in the top 10. This shows that Americans are grilling year round regardless of the weather.