To you serious comp Q'ers

[Bigmista]

We have 4 people on our team although recently it's been harder to get everyone at the same contest. Sylvie's husband usually comes on Saturday and my Father-in-law, Glenn has been coming with us lately. Both of them work their butts off and we are thrilled to have them there.

At our last contest we "mentored" Star-B-Que, her husband and Hook Line and Sinker. We were thrilled to show them what we do and hope they learned something about competition. I don't feel like we gave away any secrets.

We also usually have a Pot Luck at our booth. Some people hang around and drink afterwards and will watch me prep my brisket. The rest of the team does their meat before the Pot Luck. My prep isn't anything magical. Nothing you couldn't learn on here and personally, I prefer the company.

 

[Rightstuff]

We have 4 people on our team although recently it's been harder to get everyone at the same contest. Sylvie's husband usually comes on Saturday and my Father-in-law, Glenn has been coming with us lately. Both of them work their butts off and we are thrilled to have them there.
At our last contest we "mentored" Star-B-Que, her husband and Hook Line and Sinker. We were thrilled to show them what we do and hope they learned something about competition. I don't feel like we gave away any secrets.
We also usually have a Pot Luck at our booth. Some people hang around and drink afterwards and will watch me prep my brisket. The rest of the team does their meat before the Pot Luck. My prep isn't anything magical. Nothing you couldn't learn on here and personally, I prefer the company.

Thanks for the input. I guess I could loosen up and just enjoy the ride. Didn't want to come across AN*L retentive (guess I must have). But hey..thats why I posted...just wanted to see if my thinking was in line with some of you guys thats been doing this awhile:-D.

 

[ihbobry]

If your worried about your ingriedents, then put them in unmarked containers with your own code on them.

Like "Secret Stuff" and "Super Secret Stuff". :mrgreen:

 

[Just Pulin' Pork]

Thanks for the input. I guess I could loosen up and just enjoy the ride. Didn't want to come across AN*L retentive (guess I must have). But hey..thats why I posted...just wanted to see if my thinking was in line with some of you guys thats been doing this awhile:grin:.

In my mind you are not coming across as some an*l rententaive person, you are trying to learn. I am glad you posted this because it is interesting hearing others views.

 

[Lakeside Smoker]

I even seen some guy using these!!!!

 

[Que'inKC]

I think i agree with a lot said here, I've had the fortunate opportunity to help an established team that has gotten a lot of calls. I know his philosphy is "I'm going to teach you most everything I know, but I'm NOT going to tell you EVERYTHING". He and his teamate have worked hard for the past few years to develop a process that works for them and I don't expect him to tell me everything, I have to learn and experience it too.

We had a comp last weekend and it was just the two of us (I'm officially the Helper, but his other teamate had a baby so he's out for a couple comps) so it was very relaxing and not very stressful, but the team next to us decided to invite their entire family (it seemed like) during turn-in's...There were kids and people running everywhere..It stressed me out a bit just watching them...

I think the other thing that irriates me is when (no offense to those that do)people bring their dogs to comps. It's one thing if your dog spends most of his time sleeping or doesn't bark, but those yipping dogs really get on my nerves.

 

[Transformer BBQ]

In my mind you are not coming across as some an*l rententaive person, you are trying to learn. I am glad you posted this because it is interesting hearing others views.

Being OCD never hurt during a contest either... especially when putting a box together...

 

[Just Pulin' Pork]

Being OCD never hurt during a contest either... especially when putting a box together...

Thank you! I will show this to the rest of my team, especially when they are yelling at me to get it done and turned in!

 

[Rightstuff]

Transformer BBQ...I've got two EZ ups with full blackout super-secret curtains, maybe my wife and I could pitch our EZ ups next to yours!

 

[The Pigman]

Having only one comp under my belt and being lucky enough to know that I would be busy with turnins I told all F&F to stay away until after 1:30pm. they all love my food and do listen....... I also am fortune enough to have a good crowd of ones who do not drink to get stupid. As for kids running it bothers me everywhere I go and they are allowed to run Resturants, close isles in stores, The parents dont say a word. But being raised Catholic/German and raising 2 sons by myself and having a Scout troop it is not pass me to Yell at some kids...........Mean Old Fart Mod.

I came into kettering hoping to come in 40th out of 39 teams and not burn down the town. We faired pretty well and met alot of good people. Only didnt meet Podge because someone else pointed out someone else as him so when I did see him didnt know it was him. And he was sleeping when I was bringing around ribs and fatties all night on Fri. night. I would rather have the time to spend with ones there competing than with F&F and I tell them if they are coming it is after turnins........

 

[Podge]

Being OCD never hurt during a contest either... especially when putting a box together...

Dude, i have the worst OCD for BBQ !!.. you'd think i was doing brain surgery while putting together a box.

 

[Bbq Bubba]

Thank you! I will show this to the rest of my team, especially when they are yelling at me to get it done and turned in!

I think i'd get another "team".

 

[Smoky River BBQ]

I guess another thing (to get this thread back on the subject) is to not do contests within 100 miles of home. that seems to be the majic number for me as far as non-BBQers coming. A lot can be said about just being around fellow BBQ'ers who truely understand what all needs to happen and what all goes on. You can see your F&F anytime, but your BBQ buds, you don't get to see much. Also, with you all being really new at this, you're better off too to have your F&F stay at home, so you'll have more time to mingle and make more new freinds that are associated with BBQ. You'll get to the point to where whatever contest you go to, you'll always have somebody you know competing there. That's a big part of the fun. Also, you can't pick up some good tips without mingling.

I have to agree with Podge. One of the reasons I started doing this was because I got to meet a great bunch of people who shared the same passion for Q as I have. I look forward to seeing those people at the comps. I have made some really good friends doing this, and meet more every time i go out. And the best part is, when it's time to rock and roll, they understand completely! Like Podge said, I can see my family when I get back. I see my BBQ buddies at the comp, but only when appropriate.

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

I understand some people's need for privacy, and lately I kinda feel as if there has been some shigging going on at our site, but I don't normally worry that someone else is going to duplicate what we do. Good luck to those trying.

I keep thinking there might be some shagging going on at our site as well... oops. Shigging. I misread that. :redface:

 

[Rightstuff]

I keep thinking there might be some shagging going on at our site as well... oops. Shigging. I misread that. :redface:

Yeah Baby Yeah! Its not my bag baby!

 

[thenewguy]

I have a small group in my "circle". Me,my wife and my good friend. Needless to say, my wife and I do 90% of the work, and my buddy likes to talk to everybody about how things are going...We've issued the nickname of duke to him(you know-the baked beans dog) He'll tell me after a comp that his brother tried some ribs...and did it this way(which is very similar to mine) etc...that's why he's known as duke. Coming home from our first comp he's in the captains seat on the phone to someone saying how I told him that I was gonna do this or that next time...kinda pissed me off a little...But I digress...Just last weekend he asked me what time I put the ribs and chicken on the smoker...I told him if he'd get his butt outta bed by 9 am he'd know...I couldn't help myself!
Anyways, that got me to thinking...no one will ever know exactly how I do everything unless there there everytime I cook. But I have began to mix up my labels and such for rubs...heh heh heh...

 

[Ron_L]

As far as the competition duties, two people can handle it. Heck, some guys cook alone. What is very nice, however, is to have some fresh hands at clean up time. At Shannon, IL everyone had a tough night due to storms and we were exhausted by the time turn-in were over. We had friend show up at around 11 am. I told them that they were welcome to hang out and eat some samples but they i wouldn't be visiting much until things were done. they sat out of they way, enjoyed the left overs as I finished each box, and then stayed to help pack up. At the fun cook to benefit Scottie's foundation Parrothead, MrB1984 (Bob) and t-bird came to say hi and stayed to help with the clean up. The help was very welcome!

 

[KC_Bobby]

Anyways, that got me to thinking...no one will ever know exactly how I do everything unless there there everytime I cook. But I have began to mix up my labels and such for rubs...heh heh heh...

I don't know exactly how my brother does ribs or brisket and I doubt he knows exactly how I do chicken and pork. I could probably name most of the rubs, injections, etc; temp and times but I guarantee it would turn out different.

And Que'inKC is right about the dogs. Hey, I have the bestest dog in the world but he ain't going to a comp with me. He'd be in the smoker before it would be time for the pork to go in.

I enjoy having friends and family stop by Friday evening after we get the meat prepped, In fact, we generally find comps in towns where we have family and friends for that reason. But we do try to keep them out of the "kitchen" I don't mind if they stay til about midnight or so. At that point I want to put together at least half of the parsley beds then hit the sack by 1:00.

Come Saturday, I prefer that no one comes around from 10:00 - 2:00 unless they are fairly knowledgable about competition BBQ. When people do stop by during that time, we let them know that it's game time, not social hour. They are generally welcome to stick around, just as long as they keep their distance. ModelMaker stopped by one comp earlier this summer during turn ins and he understood we were in game time. After 5 minutes of him being there, I didn't even notice he was there other then the friendly conversation. That goes back to the knowledge of competition BBQ, he know when it was OK to converse and when to just hang back and wait. He understood we weren't being rude when Don and I would interupt him to get some work done. As soon as the task was complete, the communication would continue. Then he even helped us pack up!

 

[The Virginian]

The Virginian

I know that after one competition I did not have any "secrets" worth keeping from anyone. Worry less about whether your techniques will be shared too freely, and more about just practiciing and refining those techniques under competition conditions. I would have people come by if you are confident that their presence will not be a distraction for you. Otherwise, maybe wait until you all have your thing down pat and can entertain without it becoming a distraction.

Brett

 

[Gowan]

As far as the competition duties, two people can handle it. Heck, some guys cook alone. What is very nice, however, is to have some fresh hands at clean up time.

Amen to that!

We've been lucky enough this season to find a fellow who doesn't have any interest in cooking - he just likes to hang out Friday and enjoy the spectacle, enjoying some drinks and answering questions the public may ask about our team or cookers. Bobby is always ready to fetch something from the truck or open a cooler for you, but he generally stays out of the way when turn-in time nears.

The great thing is when the last turn-in and the celebratory toast complete, he jumps right in and starts cleaning and packing. Having a fresh man to take care of the dirty work just when the cooks are at their lowest energy level makes a contest infinitely more enjoyable for everyone on the team. If you are lucky enough to find your own Bobby be sure and remind him how much you appreciate having such and unsung hero on your team.