It’s that time of the year, where we’re planning out the year’s barbecue schedule. Last year, we were just glad to jump in and try to sink or swim. We did what we wanted, which was to not come in last in anything, and to move up in the rankings. Our goals this year include getting at least a couple calls, and to be in the top half in all four main categories. You have to have goals!
Our first comp is coming up, and it’s the anniversary of our first ever comp, the Bodacious Blues-B-Q in Carmel, Indiana, on May 19-20, 2006. We kind of did things backwards… Instead of visiting a comp, working with another team, etc…. we just signed up and went! We had NO CLUE about what to do. Here we are a year later, knowing a bit more, being a bit more prepared, or so we think… But we’re ready to have fun! We’re looking forward to seeing some friends we made last year and meeting some new ones. And we’re thrilled that Tony Hunter of Indy Smokehouse BBQ is going to be joining us again!
The next on our action-packed schedule is in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 14-15, 1006. The Taste of Grand Rapids should be good; some other teams I know are going to be there, too. Mark, my teammate, has family up there, so we’ll get to see them and let them find out if we can cook or not.
After that, we’re probably going to go to Madison, Indiana, again. The Ribberfest is on August 18-19, 2006. The only debate is how hot it was last year. If we can combat the heat better, we’ll go, but we have to plan on it. If we don’t cook, my wife and I will probably see if we can judge there instead. It’s a great festival, right on the Ohio River, in a really nice town. If you can get to this one, do it!
In September, my wife and I are talking about judging a competition in North Carolina, Smokin’ in the Valley. This may be our first official use of our Certified Barbecue Judge status… And should be a great time in NC!
Then we’ll finish up our 2006 season in October at the only Ohio KCBS competition, the Ohio Smoked Meat and BBQ Festival in Nelsonville, Ohio on October 20-21, 2006. The weather can be iffy, but we’ll manage… October can be great in Ohio!
As we get through comps, I’ll post pictures and results to either celebrate or cry about!
Hey Curt that sure sounds like a good time & I am looking forward to working with you in Grand Rapids. Hopefully you will learn alot by judging some comps also.
Ed, I hear it can be hot at Grand Rapids… we’re working on a way to keep cooler. In Madison last year, we soaked towels in ice water and put them on our necks… about the only way we could take it! I don’t know if we’ll have our new smoker by Carmel, but I’m sure it will be ready for Grand Rapids… Can’t wait!
Curt do you have any pics of what the new smoker is going to look like?
Curt,
What kind of smoker are you getting? Best of luck at the comps. I am sure your food will speak for itself. I got Jimmy Buffett on radio margaritaville, looking at good BBQ and the spring game is tomorrow. Life is good.
Fins up! Go Bucks!
Todd
I’m going to be celebrating my anniversary this weekend, otherwise I’d be at the Scarlet and Gray game… Troy Smith is going to win the Heisman this year!
No pics of the smoker yet… I know the steel was picked up this week. It’s going to be a layer of steel with some foundry insulating material on top of it, with another layer of steel on top of that. Extremely well insulated… we’re hoping for small fires and long burns.. If it works, we’ll do a pecan/charcoal mix or try going all pecan. It probably depends on what we’ll be burning.
congrats on the anniversary Curt, How many years? Cant wait to see the new smoker with food on it of course
Ed, thanks. It’s three years for us… we both started late, but waited for God to point out the right one!
I just got more info on the new smoker. It’s going to be a box type smoker with a really well insulated fire box and a 38″X38″X40″, I think, smoker box with 3 racks. All our stuff on one smoker for a comp will be amazing. The builder thinks it will burn for 10 hours on one load of fuel. Those long nights at comps just got shorter, I think!