Changing Contest Approach. Opinions Please...

jbrink01 · 03-09-2011, 10:14 PM

We cater a bunch, and have cooked 2 or 3 contests a year on our catering rig for the last 4 years. We now have a toy hauler and the hopes to cook 10 or 12 contests a year. The plan is to use my FE100 (Traeger Control) and my large BGE, plus I'll take my Louisiana Tail Gator along. Any tips, comments or useful suggestions?

bbqfun · 03-09-2011, 11:39 PM

Yep! HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

NRA4Life · 03-10-2011, 05:59 AM

Suggestion: Have plenty of cold beer.

Hub · 03-10-2011, 06:15 AM

You've got great equipment and commercial experience. One thought: Consider taking one of the classes under the aegis of KCBS (conducted by champion BBQ'ers). There is a huge difference between competition BBQ and what sells to the general public. Competition is much more exacting and doesn't easily translate to profitable mass market products (but there are some successes here and there). I think you'll find this interesting and perhaps useful to your increased competition effort. Good luck!

Balls Casten · 03-10-2011, 08:05 AM

A few trophies and ribbons will go along way in generating new business.

Scottie · 03-10-2011, 08:19 AM

I won the Jack in one FE-100. I've even flown in to contests and have won GC cooking only on a FEC. Just start everything earlier and hold the large cuts.

jbrink01 · 03-10-2011, 07:49 PM

Thanks Scottie - hopefully what I learned from you will help me dust off my skills a bit. About 5 years ago, pre-catering, we were somewhat competitive. We've had first place category calls in all but pork and a GC at a 50+. We actually went 12 or 13 contests with at least 1 call. BUT, that was then and this is now. Not having the FEC 500 will be odd, but having A/C and a bed will be nice.

Dale P · 03-11-2011, 03:05 AM

Dont park next to Shigs. :)

Dr_KY · 03-11-2011, 04:23 AM

I can't help with the advice but this gave me a great laugh this morning. lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale P

Dont park next to Shigs. :)

03-09-2011, 10:14 PM	#1
jbrink01 is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 08-17-06 Location: Washington, Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Changing Contest Approach. Opinions Please... We cater a bunch, and have cooked 2 or 3 contests a year on our catering rig for the last 4 years. We now have a toy hauler and the hopes to cook 10 or 12 contests a year. The plan is to use my FE100 (Traeger Control) and my large BGE, plus I'll take my Louisiana Tail Gator along. Any tips, comments or useful suggestions? __________________ KCBS #13207 **2013 Insane Can Posse Tour** Sponsored By: *Gateway BBQ Store* *Blues Hog BBQ Company* *Plowboys BBQ Company*

03-10-2011, 05:59 AM	#3
NRA4Life is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-07-09 Location: Newark, OH Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Suggestion: Have plenty of cold beer. __________________ - Kevin Team: Smitty's Real Pit BBQ KCBS CBJ 2 Custom Built Reverse Flow Stickburners 22.5" WSM Weber 26.75" OTG Weber 22.5" OTS Weber Blue 2000 Stainless Performer

03-10-2011, 06:15 AM	#4
Hub Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-01-10 Location: Lincolnton, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You've got great equipment and commercial experience. One thought: Consider taking one of the classes under the aegis of KCBS (conducted by champion BBQ'ers). There is a huge difference between competition BBQ and what sells to the general public. Competition is much more exacting and doesn't easily translate to profitable mass market products (but there are some successes here and there). I think you'll find this interesting and perhaps useful to your increased competition effort. Good luck! __________________ [FONT=Impact][SIZE=3][COLOR=red]Committed Pellethead[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] KCBS MCBJ & CTC Memphis Advantage NOS American Made Traeger 075 Weber Performer Author of [I][FONT=Times New Roman]Burn It In The Back Yard[/FONT][/I] Grillin' and Smokin' like crazy for over 40 years :whoo: [COLOR=red][I]There's No Smoke Alarm In My Outdoor Kitchen![/I][/COLOR]

03-10-2011, 08:05 AM	#5
Balls Casten is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-04-09 Location: Johnston, Ia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A few trophies and ribbons will go along way in generating new business. __________________ Doug Backwoods G2 Party Yoder YS480 With the right velocity … pigs fly just fine.

03-10-2011, 07:49 PM	#7
jbrink01 is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 08-17-06 Location: Washington, Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks Scottie - hopefully what I learned from you will help me dust off my skills a bit. About 5 years ago, pre-catering, we were somewhat competitive. We've had first place category calls in all but pork and a GC at a 50+. We actually went 12 or 13 contests with at least 1 call. BUT, that was then and this is now. Not having the FEC 500 will be odd, but having A/C and a bed will be nice. __________________ KCBS #13207 **2013 Insane Can Posse Tour** Sponsored By: *Gateway BBQ Store* *Blues Hog BBQ Company* *Plowboys BBQ Company*

03-09-2011, 11:39 PM	#2
bbqfun Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 11-16-10 Location: Indio, Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yep! HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

03-10-2011, 08:19 AM	#6
Scottie Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-03-06 Location: Chi-Town Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I won the Jack in one FE-100. I've even flown in to contests and have won GC cooking only on a FEC. Just start everything earlier and hold the large cuts.

03-11-2011, 03:05 AM	#8
Dale P is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-28-06 Location: Porkbutt Ky Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Dont park next to Shigs. :) __________________ Spicewine Turbo 2007 model Perry Brothers & Sons Bar-B-Q

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
interesting approach	armor	Q-talk	12	02-11-2009 03:44 PM
Highland or Podunk ? - Northeast contest opinions/plans	MilitantSquatter	Competition BBQ	19	01-26-2006 01:29 PM