As a competition team...

Bentley · Mar 29, 2009

pro⋅fes⋅sion⋅al
–adjective 1.following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder. 2.of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession: professional studies. 3.appropriate to a profession: professional objectivity. 4.engaged in one of the learned professions: A lawyer is a professional person. 5.following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime: a professional golfer. 6.making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be regarded as a business: “A salesman,” he said, “is a professional optimist.” 7.undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain: professional baseball. 8.of or for a professional person or his or her place of business or work: a professional apartment; professional equipment. 9.done by a professional; expert: professional car repairs.

When you compete in a BBQ competition, do you consider yourself a BBQ professional?

Are you just a competitor, a hobbist, a professional...one, some or all?

Just Pulin' Pork · Mar 29, 2009

Competitor!

rbsnwngs · Mar 29, 2009

same here Competitor

Jacked UP BBQ · Mar 29, 2009

A drunk competitor

Big George's BBQ · Mar 29, 2009

I view my team as competitors

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · Mar 29, 2009

How many teams make their livelihood from competing? Those few might be considered professionals.

Bentley · Mar 29, 2009

Yea, 9 was the only one that I thought might apply. I figured if you competed for money you were considered a professional, but I guess this aint the Olympics in the 60's!

Jeff_in_KC · Mar 29, 2009

When talking to possible sponsors, "professional"... it has a better ring to it and instills a bit more confidence in their decision to sponsor. I always make the opportunity seem as professional as possible. I think the KCBS refers to it as a professional circuit as opposed to non-sanctioned events which may be considered amateur or something similar. "Undertaken as a means of livelihood or for gain" covers us. We're all trying to win and "gain". I know I am.

txschutte · Mar 29, 2009

Jeff nailed it.

71-South · Mar 29, 2009

I guess prospective sponsors don't dig the term "Farker" too much, huh?

The Pickled Pig · Mar 29, 2009

I consider BBQ Competitions a sport and myself an athlete.:shock:

Just Smokin' Around · Mar 29, 2009

I think the term "professional" is used to differentiate from "backyard" cooks at a competition. I don't see it used too much in the mid-Atlantic comps. I feel more of a competitor doing all 4 categories needed to win the overall.

HoDeDo · Mar 29, 2009

100% Competitor. (He couldda been a contenda)

Jeff Stehney, Olley Gates, etc. are BBQ Professionals.

Even with Sponsors, I would submit I am an amateur - an Enthusiast -Professional no, but an avid competitor.

Jeff- Just something to think about... But I would usually not use that term in talking with sponsors. My sponsors know I am there with my wife, girls, a dog, and who knows what else. It is a "sport" with lots of eyes on it, it is a marketing play. There are alot of reasons to sponsor me, but not because I'm a professional

Kristin Meredith · Mar 29, 2009

I don't think of myself as a professional when I enter contests because we don't sell BBQ for money -- we don't cater or vend or have a restaurant etc. -- as a means of supporting ourselves on a daily basis.

I am not even sure I am a competitor. I don't invest a lot of time practicing or trying to develop sauces and brines and rubs. I use to, but it didn't help, so I don't bother any more.

I do give it my all when I go to a competition and try to the best of my abilities, but since I don't study and practice am I really that dedicated a competitor? My honest answer to that would have to be "no".

So, I guess that I have begun to conclude that I am a hobbyist. This is an activity that is different from other things which I do in life and so provides a nice break/release from everyday worries and boredom, provides some nice conversation starters with non-BBQ friends, and always has the possibility of providing a thrill if the judges do like what I do and give me a walk!!

Alexa RnQ · Mar 29, 2009

Competitor. We'll be professionals when we quit our day jobs, I suppose. *snort*

PatioDaddio · Mar 29, 2009

Just a young kid with a dream. :-D

John

KC_Bobby · Mar 29, 2009

The Pickled Pig said:
I consider BBQ Competitions a sport and myself an athlete.:shock:

Exactly. We best meet up early Friday afternoon for a pregame drink so we don't get dehydrated.

Double D's BBQ · Mar 30, 2009

Everyone that participates in a BBQ competition is a competitor. Those that compete for money and prizes are professionals.

BBQ_Mayor · Mar 30, 2009

Got to be a little of all. Professional for the sponsor side of it, competitor cause it's a competition and it's my nature, and Hobbist cause it's something I love to do and have fun at while not take expenses off taxes.

Gowan · Mar 30, 2009

When I'm at a cookoff, I consider myself a Happy Man.

As a competition team...

Babbling Farker

is one Smokin' Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

Babbling Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

somebody shut me the fark up.

Babbling Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Quintessential Chatty Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

The Pickled Pig

Guest

Full Fledged Farker

Babbling Farker

Kristin Meredith

Guest

is One Chatty Farker

Babbling Farker

Babbling Farker

Double D's BBQ

Guest

is Blowin Smoke!

is One Chatty Farker

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