Will you go back to Grill Kings?

[BrooklynQ]

With all that went down at GrillKings this year, I have to ask. Will you go back to Grill Kings next year?

[YankeeBBQ]

Instead of just trashing the event why don't you guys discuss how you can help make it better ? Maybe that's not possible, I don't know this was my first year attending. Have there always been problems there ? There aren't many bbq event in NY and it seems to me it would be a bad thing to make one go away. Just a thought.

Steve

[backyardchef]

Steve--

I agree that it shouldn't just be bashed and our area needs all the contests and support it can get and I just posted elsewhere about that.

I don't think they set out to run a bad contest, and it sounds like several things conspired against them-- including the weather which always makes people crankier. I would love to hear the organizers' perspective on what was happening. It seems like a high profile contest (for our area, at least) going down so badly is bad for competition bbq and the growth of the sport in our area, in general, but it also doesn't sound like much outreach was done for the competitors.

I wasn't at the contest, so all of this can be taken with a grain of salt or ignored, but it was expensive to sign-up, the vendors and teams spent alot of money, there was lack of, or miscommunication about entry fees/guest list, timing of awards etc...

They promoted the heck out of this contest (and I helped!) and I don't know where the # 100 teams came from, or the expected attendance and would hope the organizers will get out there and explain what happened. You're right about being constructive, but they haven't asked anyone's opinion, yet. If they express interest in getting the opinions of people that cooked there on how to make it better, I'm sure they'll get it....then again, it's not that hard to understand why people feel burned (literally)....

[BrooklynQ]

Steve

I'm not "just trashing" this event. Believe me I want to see BBQ in NY become a big thing. I really want Grill Kings to succeed. I don't want to see it go away.

Before the event, I publicized this event in the NY Daily News. I've talked it up with reporters from Newsday and the New York times. I cooked with Phil in Dean's parking lot for some Cablevision spot publicizing the event.

Two days before the event, at our expense, Matt and I drove down to Delaware for a cable news show to promote the event. I've posted about it numerous times on my blog. I've actively recruited teams to participate. I've recruited judges to attend. I cooked with Phil for the judging class this year and helped Will put the food out at last year's class.

I've done a whole lot to make Grill Kings a success.

But - this event was totally miss-managed. Each Grill Kings event seems to have problems, as all events do, but I've never felt as abused after an event as I have this time.

You can't tell me that Dean didn't notice that the water tank that was supposed to last 24 hours was 3/4 empty by 3:00 on the first day. When it was empty, would it have hurt him to go around to each team and explain the situation? Or when the truck failed to show up to refill it?

What do I say when I'm asked by other teams "Should I do Guitarbeque or Grill Kings?" The teams need to know what the events are like. They need to know which ones are well run and which events value their participation.

Every year this event grows and every year so do the problems. To me, it's reached the breaking point. Either Dean gets out and fixes them, hires another coordinator or ends it.

Whatever Dean chooses, he needs to know what the BBQ community is thinking.

[Pig Headed]

Hey Robert,

Sorry to hear about all the problems with Grill Kings. It sound like the same promoter in Maryland last year who charged vendors 25% of proceeds and sold bbq bucks and $5 entrance fee. I spoke with some of the few teams that were there and others that did not attend. Many teams won't enter one of his comps because of exactly what you're describing. By the way, where in Delaware did you go to promote it? (Comcast?) If I had known you were going to be in the area, I would have extended an invite for some grub and drinks.



Ron

[BrooklynQ]

Ron - we were on Your Morning on CN8 for comcast. It was a blast!

[BBQchef33]

Deleted due to lack of enthusiam and obviously poorly worded. Saving place holder for better worded post when brain is alive.. .

[Al Dente]

The way it stands now, with the same people in charge, I will not be back. Every year there seems to be chaos of some form or another to deal with. If it's one or two small issues, hey stuff happens, but when it's major things, year after year WTF!!!!!

Last year's contest almost didn't go off because of once again, lack of communication. Hecksher State Park stopped us and Willie B from setting up on the parking lot. The Park official wanted us under the canopy of trees in the picnic area and not in the parking lot. One hour later (Down Time), we were able to set up. Then the water source was tiny hand sinks in the bathrooms. No hose, no water.

This year was by far worse. It seems that they had delusions of grandeur and got caught up in their fantasies. I was very happy when the NYC/LI area finally got a local contest, but not with all the drama. I'd love to see it continue and thrive, but the way it's being run, I can't support it. To not go team by team and explain the water situation, then to be hiding in your RV while everyone else is in their own version of survivor shows a lack of character. We resorted to using bottled water, as everyone else did.

All the best, Al.


}}}}------------------------------------------>

[Solidkick]

Question for Steve of Yankee BBQ........

You cooked with Rod, Rod is on the KCBS board....what was Rod's opinions on the contest and how it was run?

[YankeeBBQ]

I can't speak for Rod. We haven't even had a chance to talk about it really. He's still in the process of getting home from the contest.

There were definately major issues. I suffered them along with every other team. There seemed to be a major lack of communication between the organizer and the reps and between the reps and the teams.

My only question is.... Can it be fixed ?

Again this was my first year at the contest so I wasn't aware of past problems with the organizer. If he's not willing to to improve the contest then I don't blame anyone for not going back. I would like to hear from him and get his feel on how he thought the event turned out.

[backyardchef]

From what I've seen and heard, the organizers have good ideas and have been able to get ALOT done. The fact that there is a state championship, KCBS sanctioned contest on Lawnguyland at all deserves major kudos, but maybe someone with a little more experience in running the contest part and dealing with the teams can be integrated into the Grill Kings team...(?)

They've gotten great sponsors and support from the community of local bbq'ers. I know there are hurt feelings for alot of reasons, but I don't think you can throw the baby out with the bath water. I don't think the contest should go, but after 4 years, it's pretty clear that something HAS to be done for this contest to grow, PROSPER and become a true major national draw for teams.

[barfly]

Originally Posted by BrooklynQ

With all that went down at GrillKings this year, I have to ask. Will you go back to Grill Kings next year?

I don't know.. I was pretty steamed with that no one gets out before 6 bs.. the combination of the hot sun, no sleep and whatnot made Chris a grouchy puppy. I'll probably just leave it up to Will...

[MilitantSquatter]

There have been very good and bad reasons to go back from many of the above posts. I'd go back when all is said and done.

Here's what sucked:

1) the Asian health inspector (we aptly named Some Dum Guy, not PC, I know but he really ticked me off) for asking us about a handwashing station that no one told me about. When Grill Kings called I said I had one, thought they referred to the 3 wash bins. He asked the same question 5 ways to get us to say something wrong. We finally asked him if there was anything else or otherwise we have to get started grilling the first day event. He was standing around not doing anything.

2) not being able to know how we placed in the grilling event until they post it online at some point this week (hopefully)

1) Not getting the Pure Fire crappy charcoal until less than 2 hrs before turn in time. I wasted $50 entry and $25 on meat to use chitty charcoal that did not burn.
2) Water container only having one hose. Long lines due to low output.
3) No ability to know when any meeting was, when awards were
4) The band on day two thinking they were the best thing since Led Zepplin playing for hours
5) No gargabe box in front of site
6) Not allowing cars to come in after 70% of teams got there cars in
7) Security Guards who thought they were King Chits then apologized to my father in law who is a NYPD chief. Many were retired and off duty cops doing side work. They saw him at the end of the event as we were packing up.
Going to claim my 5th place prize after getting the check and medal only for Dean to advise they made an error that prizes only go to 4th place.
9) If rumors are true that BBQ Bucks were not the same as Day 1 as on Day 2, that officially blows and it a total scam. My wife did not have that problem from what she recalls as the still had $5 left from yesterday with Willie B's mugshot on it.

Here's why I liked it

1) First contest
2) Ton's of my favorite Brethren to hang with
3) Not one patron intruded on our site and all were easy going
4) Too close to home to not do again


Yes the location was a glorified parking lot that you heard the speeding cars of the Cross Island Pkwy and Hemp Tpke all night, but it was passable although not pretty. All my family, friends and co-workers enjoyed it. Did not have a problem going across the street to the racetrack to watch the races etc. Food prices were high, but they expected it as they would expect at any similar type event.

I may feel differently after I get over my 5th place Pork finish and we do New Holland and Hudson Valley. I can only compare it to Bristol right now and Bristol was a much better event overall. Just friendlier and better managed.

[Cue's Your Daddy]

Not sticking up for Dean, because everything that you guys are saying is true, but the water situation was Belmont parks fault. They told Dean they were going to refill the water tank by 5:30 Saturday night. They eventually told him that they tried to fill it up around 4 pm, but there were to many people . This was around 8:30 pm on Saturday. Does anyone remeber a water truck driving by, kind of hard to miss, but i dont. Thanks to Willy B, I did find a good use for the Purefire Charcoal, I used it to light my wood in my smoker. I totally agree that the awards ceremony was horrible. Finally got called up with a 4th in ribs, and my wife almost missed it trying to get the car in past security. But, all in all, had a great time, always good to hang with Will and Chris,the grillbillies, Burkes Blazin, and my Dad and Brothers. I know i will be back next year no matter how much it sucked, because of all the fun we have.

[Jorge]

Originally Posted by Cue's Your Daddy

. Does anyone remeber a water truck driving by, kind of hard to miss, but i dont.

No. We were right across from Willy B and looking for that truck to come through the gate and never seaw or heard it. We were pretty busy so it's possible we could have missed it, but not likely.