Tahoka Texas MERGED Threads

[chad]

The only thing that might go against it is the raspberry seeds... Do you guys think judges will deduct for that?

Strain them out. It's not worth taking the chance. Some judge will probably get a seed under their dentures or stuck between their teeth!

[Solidkick]

Best of luck! Do what you know is best, and hope the judges like it.

Go get'em brother!

[MeatHead]

Thanks for all of the advise and encouragement. I am looking forward to the experience. Is there a better way to spend a weekend than cooking Q with a group of people that have a passion for cooking Q?

[MeatHead]

We just got back from our first competition in Tahoka Texas. What an incredible experience that was. I will keep it short as I have a long day ahead of me getting everything unloaded, unpacked, put back up, return the borrowed RV and the borrowed trailer (I just hauled my backyard cooker on a trailer).

Now for the news you want to read about. We entered all three meat categories of chicken (half chicken), ribs and brisket plus the jackpot beans. The first turn-in due was the beans. They were damn sure good, proababy some of the best I have made. We did not make them any different than usual except we poured a full can of keystone in them and this was the first time to cook then in a pot over a fire and not in the controlled enviroment of a crock pot. We got 2nd place in beans! Missed the jackpot but what the hell, we got 2nd! Wow what a rush - could this possibly be a sign of things to come?

Our chicken was not done and we had to go to some extreme measures to make sure it was ready to turn in. We got it done but really lost the effect we were going for. Needless to say we did not place in chicken - but we did learn a few lessons.

We have NEVER cooked ribs before. Thanks to the brethen - I got some great advice. We used the 3-2-1 method and mopped about 15 minutes before pulling off the smoker. We could tell that they were looking very good and really got excited about them. The next problem after we got them cooked was to slice them. I had no idea how to do it other than watching enough Food TV and OLN to know about the "competition cut". They damn sure were not pretty - but the judges were specifically told not to account for appearence. The ribs got 6th place!

Brisket is our masterpiece. Been cooking brisket for years and it just gets better every time. We cooked four briskets - one for donation (part of the enrty fee - sold by silent auction for charity) and three to choose from for turn in. I sliced into the first one and it was dry, real dry. I have never had one dry like that. I grabbed the next one, which was the largest one of the cook, and sliced it open. It was beautiful! Juicy, flavorful tender, not overdone - perfect. Not my best but damn sure nothing wrong with it. Well, it got us 9th in brisket. I was really hoping for better but did not have any idea of what the competition was turning in. I had no idea what we were up against.

Overall I have to say that after the awards - everybody knew we were there! We placed in three out of the four categories we entered. We got more awards than a lot of the more experienced teams. After the awards I found out that the top three Texas cooks (1, 2 and 3 in LSBS points) were at this competition. These were obviously the ones that were called up in every category. We really got a huge boost of confidence and are totally hooked.

Thanks for all of the help and advice from all of you seasoned veterans. You actually helped more than you will ever know because I usually spend more time just lurking and reading that actually postings and talking.

Watch my blog bbqandbeer.blogspot.com for a little better detailed version of our experience along with some pictures and more thank you's that are due.

[Jeff_in_KC]

Congrats, Meathead! I'm also looking forward to our first competition soon! I agree... this place is a great place to learn from some pretty damned knowledgeable guys! Don't know if you get the same feeling but I already feel like I know how to proceed with a lot of different situations at a contest, just from reading and asking questions here. I think being a Brethren definitely shortens the learning curve!

[parrothead]

Congrats! Sounds like you had fun, and learned some stuff. Keep it up.

[Ron_L]

Great job, Meathead!

[BrooklynQ]

Congrats Meathead. Sounds like you have been bitten by the competion bug.

[Smoker]

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats.

[Solidkick]

Very nice first contest.........you won just enough to really let it get under your skin........so??? when's your next competition??

[chad]

Welcome to the dark side!

[The_Kapn]

Originally Posted by chad

Welcome to the dark side!

I been waiting on Chad to post that
DITTO. He is so right

You will never go back now!

Congrats.

TIM

[willkat98]

Congrats Meathead

I see you here constantly.

Just cuz you don't post alot, doesnt make you any less a brother, thats for sure.

I have to assume Keystone is a beer or something? If you can share (take out secret ingredient) bean recipe, please do so in WoodPile.

Good show, Bro

[MeatHead]

Don't know if you get the same feeling but I already feel like I know how to proceed with a lot of different situations at a contest, just from reading and asking questions here. I think being a Brethren definitely shortens the learning curve!

Without a doubt! I felt like I had done it before. I knew exactly what to expect and how to handle it. I would not have even entered if it were not for all of the information and experience you guys share.

Very nice first contest.........you won just enough to really let it get under your skin........so??? when's your next competition??

It definately got under my skin. I finally know how mine compares to what the big boys are doing. We have a big one coming up in August at the local lake and I was invited to several more while at this event. I will just have to see what I can swing. Maybe I can talk the boss into providing me some support. I just have to see.

Welcome to the dark side!

LOL :D

Just cuz you don't post alot, doesnt make you any less a brother, thats for sure.

I have to assume Keystone is a beer or something? If you can share (take out secret ingredient) bean recipe, please do so in WoodPile.

Thanks, *wiping eyes* you really know how to make a man feel welcome. Keystone (actually Keystone Light, it is not available in a full flavored version) is a very popular beer around here. I thought is was a national brand, quess not. It is just like Coors Light, only it saves you about $5.00 on a 30 pack. It is not a cheap beer, just cheaper than the big brands. The beans were very simple, I am on my way over to the woodpile to share my bean recipe.

[willkat98]

The beans were very simple, I am on my way over to the woodpile to share my bean recipe.[/quote]

I meant Q Talk,

It was a late post