How was your season and what are your goals for next year?

Ranucci's Big Butt · Posted: Nov 09 2006 Post subject:

Well, we did 4 comps this year and hope to do about 6-10 next year. We did our first MIM, KCBS and SCBA events and each have their own judging so it was hard to get an idea of what each was looking for. We had a lot of help with the MIM events from Big Tom and others from the forums which helped us take a 2nd place in shoulders. Finished events last weekend with a call for 10th in ribs at the KCBS comp, so not too bad overall.
Looking forward to maybe taking a judging class or two for next year and hopefully shoot for our first GC.
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Alex

Ranucci's Big Butt BBQ
www.ranuccis.com
www.bigbuttbbq.com

Hoochie-Que · Posted: Nov 09 2006 Post subject:

Was the first season for the Hoochie-Que team as well... One full-time person (me), and part-time help from my wonderful wife and kids... Well, maybe I didn't exactly get a lot of help out of the kids - but it was great having 'em around (huh, John?!)...

Hmmm... What did I learn... Well, let's see:

1) Comps are hard work - It is definitely not a "piece of cake" to go out and do a comp...Lots of planning in advance... Definitely the "manual labor" of getting things loaded in and set up... Then there is the physical and psychological demands of the cook itself... Toss in a little bad weather maybe, and just a "little bit" of pressure as turn-in times roll around... And well, my friend, at the end of the day you more than likely will find yourself just a little pooped... At least I did... And then, just about the time you are thinking of a nice hot shower and a comfortable bed, you realize you still have to pack things up before heading home!! Uggh!!... Crying or Very sad

2) Comps are a ton of fun - If you have ever enjoyed (and/or can at least remember) competing in a race, or have experienced the thrill of "being in the hunt" - well, a BBQ comp might just be right up your alley!! It is a BLAST... Yeah, it is hard work, and it is physically/mentally/emotionally draining in many ways... But you know what? A comp is so dang much fun you really don't have time to stop and think about the other... It is a RUSH... And the Que community for the most part? Well, it doesn't get much better IMHO... Yeah, there are always some of the "dog eat dog" types around... But most are quite friendly and helpful... And you will most definitely walk away with some memorable experiences, will have learned a lot (about cooking and yourself), will have made some great new friends, and will have begun to develop a new and very special camaraderie... Sure beats the hell out of some of the dental conventions/meetings I have attended over the past 20 years...

I was kinda "in the middle of the pack" this year.... So while I didn't have a DAL, I still have room to improve.... I generally do not Que real sweet (not the "nature" of a Texan I suppose) - and I think that is what got me "in the middle"... So I will be working on that this winter... Have a new/bigger smoker coming (a Fat 50), so will be working a lot to get to know her well... Plan to spend a little time with a "mentor" in a comp or two (who competes in an entirely different region) trying to learn a little more... Maybe take another class or two (attended one with Bill Milroy and Texas Rib Rangers this past year which was good)... And then plan to hit 5-6 comps out here in the Mountain West this next year... Cool

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Dr. Mike
Hoochie-Que BBQ Team / KCBS CBJ

"Jesus Loved Barbeque, Too" - Kinky Friedman

Big Tom · Posted: Nov 13 2006 Post subject:

Hoochie Que, good perspective on the whole competition scene.

I mentioned earlier on this thread that my team still lacked one more contest to wrap up our season. We had another good weekend at the Iuka, MS (MIM) competition. We earned a 1st place with our ribs, finished 6th with some shoulders that had to be power cooked to get them done and also won the baked beans category. We came up a little short for this weekends Grand Champion Trophy, but did earn the passdown to represent the Iuka contest at the 2007 MIM World Championship. The GC team, Serial Grillers, already earned a spot in the World Championship. They got the big check and trophy, though.

We are looking forward to next season when we head to Tunica, MS for thier MIM contest.
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Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS

Hoochie-Que · Posted: Nov 13 2006 Post subject:

Congratulations, BigTom... Sounds like you had a great year - and here's wishing you that GC and invite to the World Championship next season!! Cool

_________________
Dr. Mike
Hoochie-Que BBQ Team / KCBS CBJ

"Jesus Loved Barbeque, Too" - Kinky Friedman

swinebuck · Posted: Nov 14 2006 Post subject: Big Tom

Congrats Big Tom. I will look for you at Tunica. I go there regularly for the other thing Tunica is noted for. We hope to make the BBQ Contest and we are trying to get into MIM. It must be nice to know this far in advance you are in. In what category are you going to compete? I will be there if we get accepted or not. I hope to meet you at a contest and share an adult beverage.
Thanks
Swinebuck
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Too Sauced To Pork
Stumps GF-223 with Digi Q II & SW-223 Offset and six more
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Big Tom · Posted: Nov 14 2006 Post subject:

Thanks guys!

The Tunica contest is always a good time, they limit thier field to 30 teams and they fill up pretty quick after mailing out applications. We always make a long weekend of that contest and travel and load-in on the Thusday prior, several of the team mates enjoy the gaming as well.

For the '07 MIM Championship we will probably cook ribs, that is the most competitive category with 120+ teams in that single category, but that is where we have been successful lately.

Feel free to stop by at any of the events for an introduction and beverage(s).
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Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS

Bo · Joined: 11 Sep 2006 Posts: 6

This was our first year also and was only able to do a couple of contest. We did get calls in each catagory for the two we did, but what was more important to me was we mwt a lot of nice folks who would do dang near anything to help someone. Next year we are lined up to do about 10 contests and are hoping to keep pace with the real pros out there.
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Bo Jackson
Slow Burn BBQ Team
Westlake, LA

Spice · Posted: Nov 15 2006 Post subject:

We had a great year!! Did 9 contests and finished no less than 7th place overall at any of these. We cooked the Royal invitational and open. As for 2007, we have already won 2 KCBS grand Championships and will be headed back to the Royal and have 2 bids in to the Jack.

Our Team name is Team Q

Spice
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Spicewine Ironworks
Quality Smokers, Sauces & Spices
www.spicewineironworks.com

Hoochie-Que · Posted: Nov 16 2006 Post subject:

PatioDaddio · Posted: Nov 16 2006 Post subject:

Marc · Posted: Nov 17 2006 Post subject:

This was the first year for our team and we were only able to compete in one competition since it was late in the year. We took 2nd in pork and 9th in brisket. Razz

It really gave us the BUG. Rolling Eyes

I am now working on building a smoker to help with heat consistency and add to the volume of meat we can cook.

Next year we are looking at entering about 15 contests. I already have the registration packets for the North Kansas City and the Smoke in the Spring (both KCBS) and plan on sending in the entries next week.

We are looking forward to a great year competing and meeting all the other teams. Hope to see you all out there so if you see us stop by and say HEY Laughing

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Marc
Funny Farm BBQ
http://www.FunnyFarmBBQ.us
KCBS CBJ

Spice · Posted: Nov 17 2006 Post subject:

The worst part about it is that we had some momentum going for us and now we have to wait untill March to start competing again. Crying or Very sad

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Spicewine Ironworks
Quality Smokers, Sauces & Spices
www.spicewineironworks.com

PatioDaddio · Posted: Nov 18 2006 Post subject:

Yeah, I know all the words to that song. Smile

John
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If you love it, you gotta rub it.