Another KCBS/MMA Debacle

[Roo-B-Q'N]

AMEN!

We had a tasting for a bride and groom that we are goingto be catering for this fall at the house this weekend. We did ribs, butt, brisket, salmon the whole works and we made sure we pulled the butt in front of them and sliced the brisket in front of them cut the ribs ect all in front of them and they had questions from what type of wood to how to get started.
We answered all of the questions and showed them one of our 5 smokers and how it worked. Groom asked if I thought he could get started using an electric smoker (my wife jokingly said hell no) but I told him sure and asked what was his reasoning. He said he didn't feel he had 12+ hours to dedicate to making a brisket ove charcoal and wood. I told him it didn't matter what he was going to use that low and slow was exactly that low and slow. He was going to have to take the time weather it was on a huge cooker, and electric or a webber with chips and a water pan.
To me that is educating the public and I don't mean to pat my own back here, but I see this type of education going on at comps all the time.
They would be better off asking the comp organizer to find a team that they could pay to cook up some stuff for handouts and showing the public that it could be done on a charcoal grill with woodchips like mentioned above. But hamburgers and hotdogs are not the way to go.

 

[Bigdog]

I too am embarrassed, but not surprised, by what sounds like a pitiful demonstration of BBQ. I haven't been impressed so far by the MMA so I am not shocked by this. It sounded like a good idea, but it seems to be poorly organized and implemented. This is the fault of both the MMA and the board. In order for something like this to be successful, you need someone heading it up that knows what the fark they are talking about (see Phil's thread above-he is dead on correct). What a shame this is not being done well. Shame on you KCBS and MMA.

 

[Stoke&Smoke]

From KCBS's website http://kcbs.us/tour.php

"Stop by the Great American BBQ Tour display, and you will not only learn tips from the pros, but you can sample BBQ from our expert chefs and walk away with great recipes and tips to use at home"

Really? Barbecue? Cooked on a gas griill?!?!? I like steaks brats and hot dogs as much as the next person, but are they Barbecue?

 

[Spydermike72]

Mike,

Your idea in the second paragraph looks like a great idea. I'm not sure I agree with the first point, however. What is the intended function of the Roadshow? To promote equipment to the already converted? Or to introduce real barbecue to the uninitiated, thereby potentially expanding the KCBS membership? Maybe you and I hang with a different crowd, but not many of the backyard "princes of propane" that I know are going to make a substantial investment in a piece of equipment without first seeing if they even enjoy cooking "low and slow."

Besides, I haven't heard any evidence that Dave Klose accepts drool as legal tender.:wink:

Hey Steve,

I agree with your point, but the Klose and the Lang are big attention getters, that is what I meant. I like your "princes of propane" term that is funny!!

 

[Dale P]

We need a mascot. Burnie the bbqer.

 

[Sledneck]

From the KCBS website :
The First Tour Stop - Poland Notes

March 31, 2008

Well, our visit to Rio Rancho is complete, and we have learned a lot about what this tour is going to take: lots of hard work. We are both sleeping very well!

We had three beautiful sunny days here, with strong winds on two of the days. At an altitude of 5,000 plus feet, the sun is strong so we both used lots of sun screen, but we'll still get home with nice starts on tans on our arms and faces. This area is also VERY windy. Two of the three days here had winds at 20-30 MPH with gusts above that. We had lots of challenges keeping our coupons and information brochures on our tables rather than being blown to who knows where.

Unexpectedly, it also proved a challenge to grill on our very nice grill because the winds basically blew the heat away. But thanks to determination and lots of help, the job got done.

Ernie got his first round of applause for his grilling demonstration at his Saturday afternoon session!

Equipment in our trailer worked well. We passed inspections from the local fire marshal, a state propane inspector, and two local county food inspectors. We got a few suggestions on things to change in the trailer, so we'll be taking it back to Tennessee for a few tweaks between tour stops.

Members of 20-25 of the 60 cook teams competing here came and saw us and toured our new trailer with mostly very positive comments. As always, one of our favorite parts of being around competitive BBQ is interacting with the teams. It is just something we enjoy a great deal and a big part of why we are on this tour.

We now have a much better handle on the amount of meats we need to prepare for our sampling sessions. Believe it or not, we gave out more than 1,000 samples of food during the entire weekend! And everyone was very appreciative to KCBS for the experience....which gave us lots of encouragement and energy.

The real purpose of our tour is to build knowledge about the Kansas City BBQ Society rather than to teach people about competitive BBQ. In Ernie’s demonstrations he tells people they can be better backyard grillers by taking a few tips from the professional BBQ cooks. He also encourages everyone to visit the KCBS web site, where they can even join the society, look for more contests to attend, or even become a certified judge. (It doesn’t pay, but you get to taste lots of good BBQ, and meet lots of great people!)

We start driving back to Tennessee Sunday morning and will get back on Tuesday afternoon. One advantage of all the uphill driving we did coming out here is that we should have lots of downhill on the way home.

Dozens of people are honking and waving at us on the road. If you're a KCBS member, honk three times so we know you area true fan!!!

Ernie and Linda

 

[Divemaster]

Interesting... Quite a different story...

 

[Neal]

Like others have said...I will reserve judgement until I see this thing for myself. Also keep in mind that this was the first time out. Did any one go out and win a GC at their first contest? Give them a month or two to make adjustments.

That said, I did hear a few stories about the vehicle pulling this trailer. Some people were really piling on that too - which to me seemed a little petty. But, given the story I heard about the vehicle being under-powered to pull the rig, I thought this was a clever spin written in the report of the first stop in Rio Rancho...

From the KCBS website :
Dozens of people are honking and waving at us on the road. If you're a KCBS member, honk three times so we know you area true fan!!!

They may have been honking and waving...but from what I heard, they honking and waving telling them to move over so they could be passed!

These guys are learning as they go. I wish them luck.

 

[StLouQue]

From the KCBS website :
The First Tour Stop - Poland Notes

March 31, 2008

The real purpose of our tour is to build knowledge about the Kansas City BBQ Society rather than to teach people about competitive BBQ.

Thank you for posting the clarification, Sled.

Hey Steve,

I agree with your point, but the Klose and the Lang are big attention getters, that is what I meant. I like your "princes of propane" term that is funny!!

I was with you, Mike. All I really hoped to do with my posts was suggest a few folks (not you necessarily) set aside the torches and pitchforks, step back, and take an unbiased look at what KCBS is trying to achieve with this demo rig.

Some seem to believe that MMA has no business promoting the KCBS. Obviously, the KCBS thinks otherwise.

Perhaps I should state I have a bittersweet opinion of consultants. From 1987-91, I was a radio dj at small market Missouri station. The station's owner thought it was in his best interests to hire a programming consultant from Florida. My air talent colleagues and I balked at the idea of someone who didn't know our market, coming in and changing the sound of "our" station.

In the next Arbitron ratings book, however, we claimed the number 2 spot in total listenership, and I was pulling in 98% of the 18-35 year olds demo. Why? Because the consultant gave our listeners what was popular, instead of what we music snobs deemed "quality" music. The sheep loved their hits. While I still bristled at having to submit to the cookie-cutter ideas of an out-of-towner, I had no trouble accepting my bonus check, and pay increase.

There are a lot of differing opinions on the best way to do something. Disagreement with the KCBS/MMA decisions was a given, regardless the direction they went. Last I checked, it was still an imperfect world.

 

[Roo-B-Q'N]

From the KCBS website :
The First Tour Stop - Poland Notes

March 31, 2008

Well, our visit to Rio Rancho is complete, and we have learned a lot about what this tour is going to take: lots of hard work. We are both sleeping very well!

We had three beautiful sunny days here, with strong winds on two of the days. At an altitude of 5,000 plus feet, the sun is strong so we both used lots of sun screen, but we'll still get home with nice starts on tans on our arms and faces. This area is also VERY windy. Two of the three days here had winds at 20-30 MPH with gusts above that. We had lots of challenges keeping our coupons and information brochures on our tables rather than being blown to who knows where.

Unexpectedly, it also proved a challenge to grill on our very nice grill because the winds basically blew the heat away. But thanks to determination and lots of help, the job got done.

Ernie got his first round of applause for his grilling demonstration at his Saturday afternoon session!

Equipment in our trailer worked well. We passed inspections from the local fire marshal, a state propane inspector, and two local county food inspectors. We got a few suggestions on things to change in the trailer, so we'll be taking it back to Tennessee for a few tweaks between tour stops.

Members of 20-25 of the 60 cook teams competing here came and saw us and toured our new trailer with mostly very positive comments. As always, one of our favorite parts of being around competitive BBQ is interacting with the teams. It is just something we enjoy a great deal and a big part of why we are on this tour.

We now have a much better handle on the amount of meats we need to prepare for our sampling sessions. Believe it or not, we gave out more than 1,000 samples of food during the entire weekend! And everyone was very appreciative to KCBS for the experience....which gave us lots of encouragement and energy.

The real purpose of our tour is to build knowledge about the Kansas City BBQ Society rather than to teach people about competitive BBQ. In Ernie’s demonstrations he tells people they can be better backyard grillers by taking a few tips from the professional BBQ cooks. He also encourages everyone to visit the KCBS web site, where they can even join the society, look for more contests to attend, or even become a certified judge. (It doesn’t pay, but you get to taste lots of good BBQ, and meet lots of great people!)

We start driving back to Tennessee Sunday morning and will get back on Tuesday afternoon. One advantage of all the uphill driving we did coming out here is that we should have lots of downhill on the way home.

Dozens of people are honking and waving at us on the road. If you're a KCBS member, honk three times so we know you area true fan!!!

Ernie and Linda

Maybe I am just one of those that needs to put down their pitchfork and torch, but this just rubbed me the wrong way. I guess I just don't understand how they are explaining that backyard grillers can pick up tips and tricks from competitive BBQ'rs. Is it in seasoning, saucing, glazing? Perhaps the script that MMA came up with for this could be provided so those of us not attending any of these anytime soon can see how they are doing this.

Yah it was a nice little article and all but I think they are missing the boat. I am going to step back and see how this all pans out.

 

[pigmaker23]

This press release is just damage control from MMA. They are aware of the complaints as noted on The BBQ Forum and here and are starting the spin already.

This set up is not what should be representative of what the KCBS image should be. The entire point of this thread is to bring to light the shortfalls, repair or replace them and move on, promoting American BBQ.

The question remains, who at KCBS approved this setup, the tour presentation outline, tour schedule etc. Anyone know who was responsible ? We as members have an amazing amount of talent among us, what is now being paraded around the country does not reflect our talents or capabilities. I guess I will see for myself in Indio in few weeks at the Stagecoach..

Maybe I am just one of those that needs to put down their pitchfork and torch, but this just rubbed me the wrong way. I guess I just don't understand how they are explaining that backyard grillers can pick up tips and tricks from competitive BBQ'rs. Is it in seasoning, saucing, glazing? Perhaps the script that MMA came up with for this could be provided so those of us not attending any of these anytime soon can see how they are doing this.

Yah it was a nice little article and all but I think they are missing the boat. I am going to step back and see how this all pans out.

 

[scottyd]

I just boiled some ribs. and fried some brisket trimmings on my george forman. hmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Bigdog]

Does anyone know who Ernie and Linda are and what their qualifications are?

 

[BBQ Grail]

Does anyone know who Ernie and Linda are and what their qualifications are?

They can drive a truck!

 

[Bigdog]

They can drive a truck!

LOL Larry.:lol: And an underpowered one to boot. Just says to me that this thing was poorly conceived from the get go.:roll:

 

[Sledneck]

What does the truck have to do with it? If it able to pull it what is wrong with it? Do you expect them to purchase a fully loaded dually?

 

[Sledneck]

I am more embarrassed of the way you guys are publicly complaining about something that not one person here has seen or even has a picture of!!!!!

 

[BBQ Grail]

What does the truck have to do with it? If it able to pull it what is wrong with it? Do you expect them to purchase a fully loaded dually?

Purchase? Why purchase? How about actually getting out and working with GM or Ford and let them loan you a truck AND share in advertising costs. Co-Sponsorship would have been the say to go.

Maybe the KCBS could hire a marketing firm to consult with the marketing firm they hired on just how to actually pull something like this off.

 

[Sledneck]

Purchase? Why purchase? How about actually getting out and working with GM or Ford and let them loan you a truck AND share in advertising costs. Co-Sponsorship would have been the say to go.

Maybe the KCBS could hire a marketing firm to consult with the marketing firm they hired on just how to actually pull something like this off.

Hmmmm a BBQ sanctioning body must be real high on the list over in detroit

 

[BBQchef33]

Does anyone know who Ernie and Linda are and what their qualifications are?

Dont shoot the messengers. Erinie and Linda are doing are doing what they can with what they have. Seems they have some experience and maybe they can work the changes. They are hired drivers/instructors.. they didnt build or design the trailer.

What I think is more important is that THEY know what the charter and goals of this tour is, whereas WE dont and are speculating. I'd still like to see the 30 day changes MMA agreed to and see if they get the train on a different/right track, or change the destination.. meaning STOP touting it as a KCBS roadshow bringing BBQ to a new level, but make it a promotional tour for the sponsors, Royal oak, Chinette, weber, etc..

time ladies.. give it time..
KCBS Tour Team Announced

March 7, 2008

KCBS announced today that Ernie and Linda Poland, proud KCBS members and active volunteers for the society, have been selected as the demonstration team for The Great American BBQ Tour.

The tour, which kicks off March 28 at the Pork ‘n Brew BBQ Cookoff in Rio Rancho, NM, will feature demonstrations of bbq tips and techniques for backyard bbq’ers, as well as introduce KCBS’s national partners and conduct live interviews of KCBS teams at events across the country.

The Polands, who have been members since 2003, are no strangers to barbeque. In fact, they are certified judges (Ernie is a Master Judge!) and table captains who were also approved as Contest Reps after their training program in 2007. They were scheduled to work as Reps at three events this year before accepting the tour’s opportunity as KCBS ambassadors.

“We are thrilled about this opportunity to represent KCBS in a new and exciting way,” commented Ernie, who has a lot of food training and experience from his previous career as an Army Officer and more recently as the Director of Residence Halls and the associated food services at Purdue University. Linda and Ernie are both Purdue graduates. “As an ambassador for KCBS, we will take this job very seriously, and we hope to not only teach, but to learn a lot along the way from the great cooks and teams who represent our society.”

Prior to being selected as the Tour Team, the Polands were enjoying a brief retirement that allowed them to travel to and work at 18 KCBS events in 2007. They now reside in Fairfield Glade, Tenn, where they have lived for two years since leaving Indiana.

For the past few weeks, the Polands have been training for the tour by working with MMA Creative and the national sponsors of the tour. The sponsors include Tabasco brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce, Weber Grill Creations, Chinet tableware and Royal Oak Charcoal, the official charcoal of KCBS.

Along with their official demo speech, they will be providing tasty samples of chicken, steak and hamburgers at 24 of the nation’s biggest bbq events and festivals, as well as 25 retail stops along the way. To help with the samplings, they are hoping to get other KCBS members at each event to assist with food prep and serving.

“We definitely hope to get some help from our many friends and other KCBS fans along the way,” commented Linda, who encouraged possible volunteers to email her at lspoland@frontiernet.net.

The Polands will be hauling a 31-foot trailer to all events that should become a focal point for telling the KCBS story and improving the knowledge of contest attendees about the world of competition bbq. Both Ernie and Linda hope that teams will take time to come to the trailer and interact with the folks visiting the contest or festival. By the end of October, the KCBS truck and trailer should have traveled about 23,000 miles.

To learn more about The Great American BBQ Tour and where it will be making tour stops, check the Tour schedule at http://www.kcbs.us/tour.php.