Barbecue champion Chris Lilly’s demonstration today in Madison Square Park could not be better timed. It’s now dawning on the city that we’re entering a sort of barbecue renaissance — just last week, Peter Meehan produced a lengthy survey of the local smoky arts — and the promise of warmer weather alone has sent our cravings off the meter. We look forward to gorging at RUB, our Best of New York barbecue pick, but that’s no excuse for skipping out on this southern master’s appearance. Lilly, a four-time Memphis in May world titlist, will be offering free samples of his famous pulled pork, fresh out of the smoker, at 5 p.m. Miss it and you’ll have to head to Decatur, Ala., and catch Lilly at Big Bob Gibson’s, his restaurant.

“Spring Forward, Get Grilling,” Madison Square Park, between 23rd St. and 26th St. and Fifth Ave. and Madison Ave.; no phone.

Related: The Great NYC Barbecue Battle [NYM]