COOL!
This really is a treat. I'm serious. Serve this to your boss!
You'll need:
--Tri-tip roast (if possible, spring for the "Choice" grade. Trust me.) Figure on 3/4 lb. per guest (sounds like a lot, but....

)
--Wright's "Liquid Smoke" (a little brown bottle at most stores)
--Salt
--Pepper
--Granulated garlic
get a large serving platter. Pour equal amounts of salt, pepper, and garlic onto it, making about 1/2 cup of powder. Maybe a cup, if it's a 3 or 4 ponder. Mix it up.
Take about a tablespoon of the Liquid Smoke and massage into the meat. Now roll the meat in the powder mixture, taking care to coat it evenly.
Put it on the grill at low to medium heat. If you don't have a grill, use a rack-and-pan deal, and put in the oven at about, oh...250 degrees...
Depending on the size, you're looking at about an hour or so...get a meat thermometer, and test it...when it hits about 120 degrees inside, you're done. Your looking for almost red when you cut it (it will go pink shortly thereafter.)
Carve carefully. You want to position the pointy end to your right, and angle the knife so you make W-I-D-E slices, about 1/4" to 1/2" thick, depending on your preference.
You can serve it with potatoes, salad, whatever you like, but nobody will notice anything else, once they take that first bite, it's that good!
Bon appetit!