Now before I say anything, I am biased towards KC and the Royal. Not even the Royal, but BBQ contests in KC. I grew up going to the Great Lenexa BBQ before the American Royal even had one, and when it did it was held for 1 day and all the competitors would have fit in Andy's space at the Royal this year. I get the basically out in the boonies feel of the Jack, but I have a problem with that "out in a hollow" feel versus the real world marketing they have for the contest, with Guido Fieri. They sell "The World Championship of BBQ" and Guido "brings this back" from the contest to TGI Fridays. I think it detracts from all the tradition of "The Jack". Now I am in marketing and retail, its a great model, but atleast pay the guys that enable you to claim it is the "World Championship" and you "brought back these recipes" from there. If it is the best of the best (oh thats in GA), pay them like it. The payouts are laughable at the Jack. I wont get started on the lottery system of selecting teams.
And BTW, I think KANSAS is now the center of BBQ, contests atleast.
GAB invit GC- Munchin Hogs in Lenexa KS
GAB open RGC- Munchin Hogs in Lenexa KS
Royal Open GC- 4 men and a Pig in Olathe KS
Royal Open RGC- Dammit Andy in the Dotte KS
The Jack GC - 4 Legs up- Garden City, KS.
Great Lenexa - 3 guys with wood - Shawnee, KS
I purposely left all the Mizzou teams of the list.
see you on the 29th of Nov.