I just learned that the Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are playing at the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival in Columbia MO on October 2. I grew up in Missouri and attended college at Westminter College in nearby Fulton. If I'd known they were performing so close to home it might have motivated me to plan a visit to Boonville for a family visit.
Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are from Jacksonville FL. I've been trying to catch them at a Florida performance, but it hasn't worked out so far. If you follow the blues or The Allman Brothers Band, you may know them already, but here's a video of two of my favorite songs they perform, Angel From Montgomery and Down in the Flood.
Showing posts with label bbq contests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bbq contests. Show all posts
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Why I compete in barbecue contests
There have been some discussions this week on some of the bbq forum message boards about the primary reasons why competitors participate in sanctioned bbq contests. Answers to that question have ranged from learning to cook better, spending time with family and friends, for business opportunities, and to earn prize money. After considering these discussions for a couple of days I have reached some conclusions of my own.
1) Learning to cook better: My quest to learn how to cook southern style barbecue started on the internet almost 7-years ago after a visit to Smokey Hale's barbecuen.com website. I used my kettle grill, Kingsford charcoal briquettes, and an aluminum pie pan filled with water to cook some pretty good pork roasts. I still like a good pork roast with a mustard based bbq sauce. Cooking in contests have helped me flatten the learning curve and focus my efforts to improve the final product. My bbq has improved dramatically.
2) Spending time with family and friends: I cook in bbq contests with my wife, Linda. She's been there with me from the beginning. She has been there for all the Saturday and Sunday afternoon practice cooks. She has been there for all the contests we've cooked and she has been there as we have spent a large portion of our discretionary entertainment budget on bbq supplies, equipment, and tools for these past five or six years.
I've met some great friends at bbq contests. Weapons of Mass Barbecuing, ZZ Que, Pork of the North, All Day Smoke, HomeBBQ.com, and Kick the Tire Light the Fire immediately come to mind.
My familly has also been supportive of my efforts. Besides my brothers and mother who have helped me market The BBQ Guy's spice rubs my dad has also spent a lot of time helping me convert a run of the mill cargo trailer into a rolling bbq contest kitchen.
3) Business opportunties: My contest efforts are coupled with promotion of TheBBQGuy.com and my bbq blog. I continue to be surprised at the ability of the internet to cross social barriers and territorial boundries to promote bbq to thousands of people across the country and even around the world through my websites. There are many websites about bbq. I'm just happy to have two of them that are somewhat successful. I attribute their success to my participation in bbq contests.
4) Earning prize money: Let's face it, bbq contests are very expensive for the average competitors. The typical team will spend at least $250 on meat, $200 in entry fees, $200-500 on transportation, food, lodging, and supplies to attend an event. These figures can vary a little by region of the country and distance traveled, but they are typical based on my own experience and research. Without the ability to earn prize money and recoup some of these expensives, participation in bbq contests would be cost prohibitive for me and many others. As long as there are entry fees, travel costs, and meat expenses, I believe there has to be prize money. If I don't win some money, I simply cannot afford to compete as much.
1) Learning to cook better: My quest to learn how to cook southern style barbecue started on the internet almost 7-years ago after a visit to Smokey Hale's barbecuen.com website. I used my kettle grill, Kingsford charcoal briquettes, and an aluminum pie pan filled with water to cook some pretty good pork roasts. I still like a good pork roast with a mustard based bbq sauce. Cooking in contests have helped me flatten the learning curve and focus my efforts to improve the final product. My bbq has improved dramatically.
2) Spending time with family and friends: I cook in bbq contests with my wife, Linda. She's been there with me from the beginning. She has been there for all the Saturday and Sunday afternoon practice cooks. She has been there for all the contests we've cooked and she has been there as we have spent a large portion of our discretionary entertainment budget on bbq supplies, equipment, and tools for these past five or six years.
I've met some great friends at bbq contests. Weapons of Mass Barbecuing, ZZ Que, Pork of the North, All Day Smoke, HomeBBQ.com, and Kick the Tire Light the Fire immediately come to mind.
My familly has also been supportive of my efforts. Besides my brothers and mother who have helped me market The BBQ Guy's spice rubs my dad has also spent a lot of time helping me convert a run of the mill cargo trailer into a rolling bbq contest kitchen.
3) Business opportunties: My contest efforts are coupled with promotion of TheBBQGuy.com and my bbq blog. I continue to be surprised at the ability of the internet to cross social barriers and territorial boundries to promote bbq to thousands of people across the country and even around the world through my websites. There are many websites about bbq. I'm just happy to have two of them that are somewhat successful. I attribute their success to my participation in bbq contests.
4) Earning prize money: Let's face it, bbq contests are very expensive for the average competitors. The typical team will spend at least $250 on meat, $200 in entry fees, $200-500 on transportation, food, lodging, and supplies to attend an event. These figures can vary a little by region of the country and distance traveled, but they are typical based on my own experience and research. Without the ability to earn prize money and recoup some of these expensives, participation in bbq contests would be cost prohibitive for me and many others. As long as there are entry fees, travel costs, and meat expenses, I believe there has to be prize money. If I don't win some money, I simply cannot afford to compete as much.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Cheaters, Cheaters Everywhere
Point shaving in college basketball. Unethical NBA referees. Steroids in Major League baseball, track and field, the Tour de France, Boston Marathon, triathlons, and on and on and on. Cheaters are everywhere these days.
Whatever happened to good old fashioned compeition? You know....the kind where the best team wins.
Recently I was asked if I've ever witnessed cheating at bbq contests.
I don't necessarily think it's common place, but I'm sure it does occur. I've seen some things that are questionable at several contests ranging from a team using a crock pot to heat their bbq sauce before dipping their chicken in it a few minutes before turn-in to a team showing up to a KCBS sanctioned event at 6 a.m., cooking all four categories and finishing in the top-5 overall.
I've also witnessed some questionable meat inspectors who didn't actually inspect the meat being cooked before it was prepped. I've seen meat sitting out at room temperature from 10 p.m. at night, when the team went back to their motel to sleep, until they returned to put it on the cooker at 5 a.m. (they were awarded Reserve Grand Champion at the event).
The bottom line.....whether it's bbq, baseball, basketball, football, cycling, track and field, or whatever; some people will go to great lengths to win-at-all-costs. My take on it....if you need the money that bad, you can have it. I prefer to win the old fashioned way...as a result of my own personal efforts and dedication.
But the biggest thing that irks me in particular at a bbq contest are quiet hours violations. At one contest the team next to us stayed up all night playing their loud music and drinking so much they were too drunk to cook. Just before their wives came the next morning they started being real nice to Linda (hoping she wouldn't mention it to their wives).
Whatever happened to good old fashioned compeition? You know....the kind where the best team wins.
Recently I was asked if I've ever witnessed cheating at bbq contests.
I don't necessarily think it's common place, but I'm sure it does occur. I've seen some things that are questionable at several contests ranging from a team using a crock pot to heat their bbq sauce before dipping their chicken in it a few minutes before turn-in to a team showing up to a KCBS sanctioned event at 6 a.m., cooking all four categories and finishing in the top-5 overall.
I've also witnessed some questionable meat inspectors who didn't actually inspect the meat being cooked before it was prepped. I've seen meat sitting out at room temperature from 10 p.m. at night, when the team went back to their motel to sleep, until they returned to put it on the cooker at 5 a.m. (they were awarded Reserve Grand Champion at the event).
The bottom line.....whether it's bbq, baseball, basketball, football, cycling, track and field, or whatever; some people will go to great lengths to win-at-all-costs. My take on it....if you need the money that bad, you can have it. I prefer to win the old fashioned way...as a result of my own personal efforts and dedication.
But the biggest thing that irks me in particular at a bbq contest are quiet hours violations. At one contest the team next to us stayed up all night playing their loud music and drinking so much they were too drunk to cook. Just before their wives came the next morning they started being real nice to Linda (hoping she wouldn't mention it to their wives).
Friday, July 06, 2007
South Carolina BBQ Championshiop
The KCBS competition in Greenwood, SC at the Festival of Discovery is scheduled for July 13-14 . This 7th annual event is shaping up nicely. According to the contest website, there are 54 confirmed entries to date.
Download a team packet. Read food prep guidelines.
The contest has $12,000 in scheduled prizes and awards for winning teams.
I love South Carolina and if things weren't so hectic at my day job right, now Linda and I would make the trip to Greenwood for sure.
CBJ newspaper article
Download a team packet. Read food prep guidelines.
The contest has $12,000 in scheduled prizes and awards for winning teams.
I love South Carolina and if things weren't so hectic at my day job right, now Linda and I would make the trip to Greenwood for sure.
CBJ newspaper article
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Ohio BBQ Cookoff
I like to promote new bbq competitons when I can. Rollingsmoke.com is announcing a new cookoff in Kettering, OH scheduled for July 13 and 14. I believe this first annual event sponsored primarily by the Kettering American Legion Post 598 is unsanctioned this year.
The entry form doesn't provide specific details regarding the potential prize money, but it does say that there is a "100% payout". I am guessing that if they get 10 teams and each pay $100 entry fee, then there is $1,000 in the prize money pool. It's not enough to offset expenses for the bbq cook teams, but by taking a long-term view of the event it just might payoff for those that decide to support this new contest.
BBQ contests are few and far between in Ohio, so a well-run and well-supported event with KCBS sanctioning has the potential to grow into a bone-a-fide bbq "happening" within a few short years. If you don't already have something else planned for July 13 and 14, consider joining ZZ Que, Ribs and Bibs, Frying Pan and others to cook some bbq to benefit the VA Hospital.
The entry form doesn't provide specific details regarding the potential prize money, but it does say that there is a "100% payout". I am guessing that if they get 10 teams and each pay $100 entry fee, then there is $1,000 in the prize money pool. It's not enough to offset expenses for the bbq cook teams, but by taking a long-term view of the event it just might payoff for those that decide to support this new contest.
BBQ contests are few and far between in Ohio, so a well-run and well-supported event with KCBS sanctioning has the potential to grow into a bone-a-fide bbq "happening" within a few short years. If you don't already have something else planned for July 13 and 14, consider joining ZZ Que, Ribs and Bibs, Frying Pan and others to cook some bbq to benefit the VA Hospital.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Blount County Big BBQ Bash
This amateur contest being held this upcoming Friday and Saturday, June 15-16, benefits local community groups including the Blount County Children's Advocacy Center and provides amateur bbq cooks an opportunity to compete for fabulous prizes.
I especially like the concept they've chosesn whereby the winning team is awarded prizes and their favorite charity receives an equal sized donation. What a great concept!
First place in each category: $3,000
Winning team: $1,500
Winning team’s Charity of choice: $1,500
Second place in each category: $1,500
2nd place team: $750
2nd place team’s Charity of choice: $750
Third place in each category: $750
3rd place team: $375
3rd place team’s Charity of choice: $375
Click here for directions to the event.
I especially like the concept they've chosesn whereby the winning team is awarded prizes and their favorite charity receives an equal sized donation. What a great concept!
First place in each category: $3,000
Winning team: $1,500
Winning team’s Charity of choice: $1,500
Second place in each category: $1,500
2nd place team: $750
2nd place team’s Charity of choice: $750
Third place in each category: $750
3rd place team: $375
3rd place team’s Charity of choice: $375
Click here for directions to the event.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
BBQ Contest Digest
2nd Annual Ridgefest
Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13
East Arkansas Community College
This contest will be held without the whole hog category this year and will focus on porks butts and ribs. The organizers hope to add whole hog back to the event next year with the addition of Memphis in May sanctioning. Read more...
MIM World Championship
Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18
Memphis, TN
The annual MIM World Championship of bbq is being held this weekend in Memphis, TN. Professional bbq cooks gather from around the world to compete in this long standing event. Read more...
KCBS Minnesota Championship
Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18
Austin, MN
Minnesota's biggest KCBS sanctioned bbq competition wraps up today at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Read more...
Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13
East Arkansas Community College
This contest will be held without the whole hog category this year and will focus on porks butts and ribs. The organizers hope to add whole hog back to the event next year with the addition of Memphis in May sanctioning. Read more...
MIM World Championship
Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18
Memphis, TN
The annual MIM World Championship of bbq is being held this weekend in Memphis, TN. Professional bbq cooks gather from around the world to compete in this long standing event. Read more...
KCBS Minnesota Championship
Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18
Austin, MN
Minnesota's biggest KCBS sanctioned bbq competition wraps up today at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Read more...
Friday, May 11, 2007
Spectator Friendly BBQ Contests
I followed the Office Depot show car south on I-75 from Tampa tonight. The crew-cab truck had flames across the hood and the triple-axle trailer was flawlessly lettered and painted to showcase Office Depot and the # 99 Ford Fusion driven by NASCAR's Carl Edwards -- the back flipping Missourian -- from Columbia. I don't remember the lettering exactly, but the trailer said something on it about "fan experience".
It got me thinking about possibilities for bbq contests. Wouldn't it be great if bbq contests had an element of "fan appreciation" or "fan participation"?
During my visit to the American Royal a couple years ago I was a little confused about why so many thousands of people willingly paid more than $10 to enter the contest site and watch others having a good time. Most of the cooking sites at the Royal appeared to be little more than "private parties". The vast majority of cooks had no intention of interacting with spectators. Regrettably this phenomenon is not restricted to the Royal. It happens at contests throughout the country.
Rather than just pointing out the obvious -- that most bbq contests are not spectator friendly --I'm all about offering possible solutions here on the BBQ Blog. So here goes....
In addition to the professional and backyard categories at sanctioned bbq events I'd propose a new category that allows for more direct spectator participation. I'd recommend creating a kettle grill category that caters directly to the spectator that wants to participate, but who is unsure how to get started or those who are too timid to interrupt the cooks that don't really want to be interrupted anyway to ask questions.
In the kettle grill category, contestants could simply show up at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning with their kettle grill, a bag of charcoal, their meat of choice, and whatever supplies they chose to bring. The entry fee should be something like $25, or maybe even less, to remove the barriers to entry for the casual backyard cooks. This kettle grill category would cater to meats that take a short time to prepare like chicken, steak, hamburger, or possibly ribs. As luck would have it, these meats are also more familar to beginning wannabe professional bbq cooks.
The prizes could be a simple winner take all $100-$150. Best of all, the organizer could possibly get a local business to sponsor the entire category. The category could be featured prominently with bleachers set up around the kettle grill "coral" for a birds eye view of the action. There could be a master of ceremonies to explain what's taking place for spectators and they could walk around and interview the cooks in action.
A kettle grill category would be a very good thing.
It got me thinking about possibilities for bbq contests. Wouldn't it be great if bbq contests had an element of "fan appreciation" or "fan participation"?
During my visit to the American Royal a couple years ago I was a little confused about why so many thousands of people willingly paid more than $10 to enter the contest site and watch others having a good time. Most of the cooking sites at the Royal appeared to be little more than "private parties". The vast majority of cooks had no intention of interacting with spectators. Regrettably this phenomenon is not restricted to the Royal. It happens at contests throughout the country.
Rather than just pointing out the obvious -- that most bbq contests are not spectator friendly --I'm all about offering possible solutions here on the BBQ Blog. So here goes....
In addition to the professional and backyard categories at sanctioned bbq events I'd propose a new category that allows for more direct spectator participation. I'd recommend creating a kettle grill category that caters directly to the spectator that wants to participate, but who is unsure how to get started or those who are too timid to interrupt the cooks that don't really want to be interrupted anyway to ask questions.
In the kettle grill category, contestants could simply show up at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning with their kettle grill, a bag of charcoal, their meat of choice, and whatever supplies they chose to bring. The entry fee should be something like $25, or maybe even less, to remove the barriers to entry for the casual backyard cooks. This kettle grill category would cater to meats that take a short time to prepare like chicken, steak, hamburger, or possibly ribs. As luck would have it, these meats are also more familar to beginning wannabe professional bbq cooks.
The prizes could be a simple winner take all $100-$150. Best of all, the organizer could possibly get a local business to sponsor the entire category. The category could be featured prominently with bleachers set up around the kettle grill "coral" for a birds eye view of the action. There could be a master of ceremonies to explain what's taking place for spectators and they could walk around and interview the cooks in action.
A kettle grill category would be a very good thing.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
BBQ Contest Results
Smokin' Blues, Bikes, and BBQ - St. Cloud, Florida
Grand Champion: HomeBBQ.com
Reserve: GB's BBQ
3. Naked Bones BBQ
4. Junkyard Dogs
5. Brother's BBQ
Quincyfest Blues and Barbecue Contest - Quincy, FL
Grand Champion: Huff and Puff
Reserve: Big Daddy Q
3. Swamp Boys
4. Q4U
5. Glorybound
Visit www.flbbq.org for a list of upcoming FBA events.
Grand Champion: HomeBBQ.com
Reserve: GB's BBQ
3. Naked Bones BBQ
4. Junkyard Dogs
5. Brother's BBQ
Quincyfest Blues and Barbecue Contest - Quincy, FL
Grand Champion: Huff and Puff
Reserve: Big Daddy Q
3. Swamp Boys
4. Q4U
5. Glorybound
Visit www.flbbq.org for a list of upcoming FBA events.
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