Another cookoff first timer. Montague, TX

[TX_Sid]

Lots of great info on this forum for a competition first timer.

To get my feet wet, I have entered in the http://www.montaguewildfirebbqcookoff.com/ in Montague, TX, Aug 28-29, 2009. Plan to go in and do what I know, talk with others, learn some stuff AND HAVE FUN doing something I really enjoy. I've been cooking for more than 25 years but it looks like competition cooking is a whole new ballgame.

They are going LSBS rules. Catagories are brisket, pork spare ribs and 1/2 chicken. I also entered in the jackpot beans. I am staying out of the ribeye catagory.

Anyone else doing this one?

My team name is "No Clue BarBQ."

[Northsider]

Good Luck to you and welcome to the addiction.

[TX_Sid]

Wow, what a blast, looking for my 2nd cookoff.

53 teams showed up. Met a bunch of great folks, learned lots of stuff and tasted some damn good barbq.

As for my results, I completely jacked up my brisket. Great flavor but dry. Didn't even turn it in as I ran out of the window trying to get 7 good slices. I have not jacked up a brisket that bad in almost 10 years. The only thing I can think of that could have been my downfall on the brisket was a drunk team mate stoking the fire. At about 1 AM, I was walking around and talking with other teams for about an hour. When I got back to the smoker, my buddy said he threw some more wood on the fire after I left. I thaught to myself, the temps were dead on when I walked away and it didn't need any wood. Looked at the guages and all three were at 400. Needless to say, I was pissed.

Ribs, great texture and color but, a bit salty. No call on those.

1/2 chicken, great flavor, nice color and texture. No call.

Beans, texture was perfect, flavor was great. got 2nd place!!!!

Did I mention that I had a blast and learned alot.