A.C. :: Get Your Pig On

Author Archive for A.C.

Get Your Pig On 2.0 Canceled

by A.C.

September 20th, 2011

It is with great regret that we have to inform you that our December 3^rd Get Your Pig On 2.0 event has been canceled. Budgetary issues have forced our main sponsor of the event to withdraw their support of the prize fund and our venue developed a scheduling conflict. Every attempt was made to sign on a new sponsor and venue but current economic conditions and time constraints precluded that from happening.

Looking forward to 2012, we are working on some exciting options for a private BBQ competition to take place in the spring and as well as the next Get Your Pig On ~ Sedona for July 28, 2012. Keep an eye out for more information to follow.

Thank you for your support and for your love of BBQ!

Mea Abraham

April Copeland

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Road trip…

by A.C.

June 16th, 2011

Curiosity peaked and taste buds teased, I once again climbed on my bike (wrapped up in an insulated full-body suit) and headed out to another barbecue competition this one in Rio Rancho, NM some 486 miles from home. Traveling alone could be an invitation for trouble; therefore, as a female I am very alert, edgy, and cautious about where I am and who I talk to when out and about. While stopped to eat in Gallup, NM at the Cracker Barrel, I was approached by a very TALL and somewhat imposing man who commented on my suit [horribly bulky & unattractive] saying that I ought to be warm. We politely but briefly discussed the interesting method devised to carry all my stuff on the back of my ride [giant suitcase rigged to a crudely custom sissy bar] before his friends joined him and we parted ways. As he was strolling to his truck, the back of their t-shirts sporting a picture of a goat, I realized we’d meet again.

Arriving Thursday afternoon, windblown but not cold, once again I was welcomed into the fold by KCBS Reps Gene, Merl, Carole, and [new to me] Lew Miller. That evening I attended a judging class as a visitor and had my first experience as a quasi table captain. Terrified I’d drop a box of pork in the laps of new judges, I hesitantly offered to help and when the time came managed to accomplish the task mostly unscathed. There were a few remarks made by the newly trained judges on my attire as I was layered up in four shirts and a jacket – freezing by then and fated to be colder still.

Friday in Rio Rancho dawned sunny but as the day wore on a slight breeze turned into frigid gale force winds, toppling tents and creating much havoc. In the face of impending disaster, organizers, teams, judges, reps, vendors, volunteers, police, and fire fighters all wrestled to keep things on the ground. Despite the collapse of the judging tent, loss of valuable prep time, postponement of public activities, and eating fair amounts of gritty sand their attitudes remained tolerant and smiles could still be found.

Saturday’s weather was much improved and with the judging tent reinstalled the competition proceeded without further mayhem. This year’s competition, the 8^th annual, has been moved to a more temperate time of year and I hope everyone enjoys a memorable but less windy event.

I did meet that tall imposing man and his friends again when they arrived to judge at this event. Mike Love was his name, from the Smokin’ Goatheads, a team from Lake Havasu, AZ. Some good-natured ribbing ensued.

Special thanks go to the organizer of the competition and his volunteers. Art Perez, as illustrated by his playful attire, is extremely approachable, friendly, and willingly shared his insight into barbecue competitions. I still smile when I see his photograph!

Categories Barbecue, Competition, Judging
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New to Competition BBQ?

by A.C.

June 15th, 2011

At many [perhaps most] competitions I’ve been to, there have been barbecue rookies mixed up amongst seasoned pit masters. Organizers attempt to place new teams near experienced teams where they can receive advice, encouragement, and some trade secrets. The camaraderie teams build with one another is part of the reason I think the sport of barbecuing has become so popular; there are so many instances of teams looking out for, rescuing, and supporting fellow competitors.

If you are looking to enter a barbecue competition for the first time, here are some basic tips. First, make sure the organizers of a competition know you are just starting out. They’ll try to place you next to a team that has been around a while. Next, do some research! The internet, books, and BBQ forums are excellent ways to begin. Finally, if this is your first competition, have fun! You may or may not place in your first event but you will learn and you will want to do it again!

Before the competition:

Read the KCBS 2011 Rules and Regulations, you can find them HERE.

Build your barbecue team – Seek out individuals who are motivated and you enjoy spending time with.

Do some research – These websites and forums are good places to begin…

Kansas City Barbeque Society

“…dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with over 14,000 members worldwide.”

BBQ Bug and the Pickled Pig Forum – In relentless pursuit of better BBQ

Be sure to check out posts from The Big Pig!

BBQCritic – Competition Certified BBQ Judges Blog and Forum

Read posts from certified judges and see how judges might score boxes for appearance.

The BBQ Brethren Forum – From the backyard to the American Royal

The Grand Canyon State BBQ Forum – All things Q in Arizona

California BBQ Association – Service | Education | Competition | Q’munity

Rocky Mountain BBQ Association – Cook. Judge. Eat. We LIVE Barbeque!

The BBQ Forum – Since 1995 Serving the Barbecue World

Create a supply list or borrow one from another team HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, or HERE.

Create a timeline to follow during the competition.

Consider buying an atomic digital wall clock with big numbers to hang in your cook area.

Sharpen your knives. [& bring band-aids]

Practice, Practice, Practice!

At the competition:

Arrive early so you’ll have time to walk around and chat with other teams.

Be prepared for inclement weather (hot, cold, wind, rain, snow, sleet, hale…contests run rain or shine!)

Attend the cooks meeting and stay a little while after the meeting to receive tips and reminders from KCBS Representatives.

Take notes and pictures throughout the competition to help you remember the experience and that you can review before your next competition.

After the competition:

Rest and then review your notes while everything is still fresh in your mind. You’ll have a pretty good idea what needs to happen the next time, what you forgot, what you did or didn’t need, and so on…

You will have learned far more from the experience and directly from professional barbecue teams than from any post on a website or forum but we hope that some of these experts will help you take the first steps towards competing in a sanctioned barbecue competition. Perhaps Ours!

Categories Barbecue, Competition
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BBQCRITIC.COM

by A.C.

June 8th, 2011

This morning I noticed we had a new Twitter follower and was thrilled when I clicked on the site link to find a website dedicated to competition certified barbecue judges! I even know one of the BBQ Judge Columnists. Hi Lew!

If you are interested in judging barbecue, this looks like the perfect place to learn all about the process. Teams can even submit their boxes anonymously to receive feedback.

The site is clean, attractive, organized, and easy to use.

Check them out…

Categories Barbecue, Competition, Judging, Reviews
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