"Coopitition"

[The_Kapn]

Comp area almost needs to have a "Discussion and Reflections" area and a "Woodpile" area as we have grown!

Here is my first post that should be just "D & R" about competitive BBQ

I call it "Coopitition". Much different than Competition in it's purest form.

It seems like all the teams will share, help out, and encourage the others--within reason.

For example--a couple of years ago, a team next to us ran out of wood--early in the AM.
Needed Oak and "now". We had plenty--no problem.
Could have said "Fark you and your poor planning....", but it was the right thing to do at the time.
He kicked our ass because he is a better cook, no regrets.

Last weekend was our "Maiden" cook with the FEC100. We all know ya need power to run FEC's, Gurus, Rotisserie brands, Stokers, and all of the current state of the art cookers.
We had a power problem.
Talked to Kevin (HomeBBQ) and asked to rent some power. NO PROBLEM!
Needed a 100 ft extension cord--MUNCHIE came through--NO PROBLEM!
Now, we were not a "threat" to either of these teams, but I am sure the result would have been the same if we were real competetion. to them

I have read over and over about teams going totally out of their way to help others.
Every thing from "forgotten fire extinguisters" to replacing canopies.
Many times, these are top ranked teams who could actually benefit if the "other" team failed!

Makes me proud to be a part of this!

Just some thoughts.

TIM

[HoDeDo]

Tim - There is no doubt in my mind that BBQ folks are some of the friendliest and compassionate folks out there. I have been on both sides of your scenarios above. I always have extra lettuce - I know I have shared it more than once. Torch to start a fire in the rain, NP. I've also borrowed wood, rope lights, you name it.

That is why my family goes to so many contests with me. I like my girls to see folks sharing, comraderie, and friendship... heck of a lot better than what is on TV or Playstation. You ask Mokan, Singin' Bob, Jeff, or many other Que-er's -- and to my kids, they are almost like extended family. They are disappointed if they don't see thier friends.

I have some teams I look forward to seeing that we may not see more than once or twice a year.
Long live Coopitition!!!


The only other group of folks that I have experienced this same thing with is with race fans. When in Talladega, Bristol or even here in KS, race fans always seem to be willing to share, and have a sense of "community".

[Bigmista]

I have to agree with this wholeheartedly. People at comps are always willing to help out. Need some lettuce? Take some of ours! Our light bulb blew out. Take one of ours. What are you having for dinner? Come eat with us!

It is always great to share and I too have been on both sides of this. Part of it is just a group of caring people who enjoy each others company. I think another part of it is that it isn't any fun to win if you only did so by some unforeseen circumstance. If I win, I want it to be because I made a better piece of meat than you did today (and it's always just today) not because your generator broke down or your canopy fell over while you were prepping your box. If you don't win heads up, what's the point? What did you really accomplish? Winning on an even playing ground is the challenge. So I will always help someone in need just to give them a fair shot.

Just my opinion...

[Puppyboy]

Check this out for "coopitition".

I appoligize for the exact details but this is how I heard it.

At the Smoke in the Spring a few weeks ago, we got hammered with snow and rain all day Friday and into Saturday morning. The guy cooking next to me had a large cooker that had a circuit board. The rain disabled his cooker and he was literally done for the weekend. Word of this got to a another guy at the comp who apparently was a rep for another type of cooker. His store was about an hour a way with the weather. Anyway this guy called his buddies and they brought down another cooker just so this guy could compete.

[Bigmista]

Ya gotta love that!

[Dustaway]

Last year at Angelton I was blocked in and could not even think about getting out to go anywhere, Smokenmop buckets was right next to me before they left to go over there hotel Mike gives me the keys to one of his cars and tells me that if I need to go anywhere to use his.

keep in mind I had only seen him a couple of times before, ten minutes after he left I needed to run to get some items that I left behind what a life saver

Thanks #'s

[Smokin Gator]

I almost don't feel qualified to post this but... after only one comp I know what you guys mean.

As I posted on another thread I would have dropped everything to help any of the Brethren at the comp I attended this past weekend.

But it really goes further than that... The team right behind me this weekend was great. They had a nice cooker, a large group of people, and couldn't have been any nicer. They shared with me and I shared with them. I had peanuts and a fatty that I gave them and shared some Brethren stories. We shared rub talk and taste as well as sauces.

They knew they were competing directly against me and I knew the same... it didn't matter. Without even thinking we both knew that if you cook better than me today then I will be happy for you. They scored better than me in two of four an I scored better than them in two of four. I actually helped them (not to mean it wouldn't have happened anyway) in one category that they one upped me. It didn't matter... when we got back to our sites after the awards we were thrilled for each other. There were high fives all around. I am truly happy for them and appreciate what they shared with me. I will put it to good use in the future...

I tell you folks... we are a part of a special group!!!

[Solidkick]

We were doing a comp last year when a freak rainstorm came up and drowned many of the backyard competitors kettles and grills. Most were able to keep their charcoal dry, so we just fired up the fish fryer and lit chimney after chimney.....for those that got their charcoal wet, we helped them out.....we got thanked repeatedly for coming to the aid of others....
That's what you do....you help out who you can, when you can!

[Jeff_in_KC]

And big or small, they still help. Last year at the Great American, I was setting up my 10x20 canopy when a large gust of wind grabbed it and hurled it 20 yards across the parking lot in a flash. Next thing I know, I had Myron Mixon and two of his teammates in my camp helping me drag it back to its spot and show me a better way to secure it. One of the guys, Nick, was in our camp a lot of the rest of the contest giving us advice. That's not just anyone who helped me... it was one of the big guys!

[lunchlady]

...That is why my family goes to so many contests with me. I like my girls to see folks sharing, comraderie, and friendship... heck of a lot better than what is on TV or Playstation. You ask Mokan, Singin' Bob, Jeff, or many other Que-er's -- and to my kids, they are almost like extended family. They are disappointed if they don't see thier friends...

HoDeDo - right on there ! My kids (8 and 10) come to just about all the events we do and they have made many friends along the way. It's like their summer family. I don't think my Joey remembers a time when we DIDN'T do BBQ. I, like you, would rather have them learn SPORTSMANSHIP this way than have them imitate the antics of some dudes in the pro sports.
Keep on keepin' on....

[jtfisher63]

These stories are part of the reason I am so excited to compete in our first contest coming up in May. Obviously we like to Q, but we also like to be around friendly people. After all of the reading and research I have done, I still believe there will be problems during out first comp. I am sure that others can help if needed and I will definatley will help others if they need it. It seems that these days that life can get into a hurry and I hope to relax and enjoy it with some fairly like minded folks.

Jason.

[Ron_L]

It's nice to read these stories. i know that Greg the team have helped out folks as well. In most cases, even though we are there to win, we are also there to socialize with others who enjoy a similar passion for BBQ. Part of that is the Co-opetition. If we help our neighbor, it really doesn't affect our turn-ins. We;re still going to cook the same way. If helping him allows him to stay in the competition, he still has to turn out a better product in order to beat us.

[Sawdustguy]

You hit it spot on Tim. At last years BBQ on the River in Bristol, Pa. Rich Decker was running short of wood so we gave him some of our Cherry logs to help him out. Rich won Reserve Grand Champion. We were happy even though we did not do well because Rich won.

[tonto1117]

I think the helpful and giving nature of the brethren is also extremley apparent right here in the forums. As a newbie, I can't begin to tell you how helpful you all are. If it seems as if I'm not posting to much, it is because there are so many great threads to read from way back when.

I thank you all and look foward to meeting you.

[jbrink01]

I loaned Texas Roadhouse a cutting board Saturday in Springfield. His ribs beat mine by .0003.