The Royal or the Jack?

[SmokeInDaEye]

Heck, I'm just proud to even be able to exercise the idea of doing either next year. Unfortunately money will probably be a huge deciding factor and I have no idea right now what the costs involved in either are. Any insight from veterans?

 

[ThomEmery]

That's true. How many "state championships" are there? A whole lot more than 50...

We all know the system is broke
But who could fix it?
Some states now have every event as a State Championship
Stagecoach will have 3 in one weekend

On topic I sure would like to cook the Jack

 

[watg?]

George, which one would you choose?

You know, I have never really thought about it until yesterday when I posted the question. I am thinking, at least today, if I were in a position to choose, which I am not, I would choose the Jack. I hope one day to find myself in the postion to make that decision. I will say that, if i had have been given the choice this year, with my current work situatuation, I would have had to choose one or the other. I do not think I would have been able to do both...............:eusa_clap

 

[Pigs on The Run]

The Jack fanasty

I am always puzzled how the the Jack is so widely popular. It is poorly ran, the pay out is low ,Celebrity judges and not all the best teams in country are invited. The only plusses is booze, and the title of world championship ( which is not truly a world championship).The reality not a lot of people other competition teams really care about the Jack. I think the royal inviational is a better representation of of who is the best! How many Jack Champions in the last 5 years have finished in the top ten of the kcbs TOY? All I can say was is the it was interesting in hearing Mike davis' comments about the Jack in Shelby Nc 2007. I will say the romance of the jack is the main allure but I think it is wrong to believe that the jack is a true represntation of the best team in the country. I do not intend any disrespect to any one who has won there. I am sure it is aq fun contest just not the worlds best. Myron Mixon is probally the best cook in the world and I don't think he has ever finished in the top five. It was great to see Tuffy finishing in the top 3.
Happy cooking!

 

[MilitantSquatter]

I am always puzzled how the the Jack is so widely popular. It is poorly ran, the pay out is low ,Celebrity judges and not all the best teams in country are invited. The only plusses is booze, and the title of world championship ( which is not truly a world championship).The reality not a lot of people other competition teams really care about the Jack. I think the royal inviational is a better representation of of who is the best! How many Jack Champions in the last 5 years have finished in the top ten of the kcbs TOY? All I can say was is the it was interesting in hearing Mike davis' comments about the Jack in Shelby Nc 2007. I will say the romance of the jack is the main allure but I think it is wrong to believe that the jack is a true represntation of the best team in the country. I do not intend any disrespect to any one who has won there. I am sure it is aq fun contest just not the worlds best. Myron Mixon is probally the best cook in the world and I don't think he has ever finished in the top five. It was great to see Tuffy finishing in the top 3.
Happy cooking!

I'm in agreement on most of what you said but I have some questions

1) How many Jack GC's were in the top ten KCBS TOY ? (Let's not forget that KCBS TOY point system both old and new still leaves much to be desired)
2) Care to share what did Mike Davis said or are you gonna leave us hanging ?? :biggrin:

 

[Scottie]

Well, I guess this is where I should be insulted by your comments. Maybe check the top 10 for TOY. Also might want to check to see where Bart Clarke is ranked. Maybe even Donny Teal. And it is the only true World Championship out there. So I do not even know how you can say that?

To me, it sounds like a disgruntled comment. As I can also speak about the Royal and their treatment of teams... So I wouldn't speak so highly of anything.

Scottie Johnson
2006 Jack Daniel's World Champion

 

[Q Haven]

Maybe if they dropped the Shadetree and the international teams they could have a lot more GC teams there.

 

[Muzzlebrake]

wow what a GREAT question! in all seriousness if I had to choose just one I would flip a coin.
I think that the Royal is way cool , overwhelming and out of control but the area kinda sux and there isnt anything else to check out other than the Royal. That being said, with all that is going on why go anywhere else? I am so not a fan of comps in parking lots but where else do you have to go inside to sit on a dirt floor?

The Jack just has something , can't really put my finger on it but its just cool..... It does however have alot of crap that I found to be way overrated, like the hill (terrible food, decent view but not that great way crowded), the Hollow (really just a small town park), Mary Bobo's (average buffet food at best), the awards (dont even bother going for the first hour), and a no open container law enforced by cops patrolling the grounds on quads.

When I explain to people outside the BBQ world I refer (however correct or not) to the Royal as the nationals and the Jack as the world. I do think that the invitational competition at the Royal is far stiffer than the Jack. You would be hard pressed to convince me that the Polish/Estonian/UK/Swiss teams are better than an average MOKAN team and all the draw does is eliminate some really good teams. It just tougher to compete against 100 some champions than 70.

All in all its a tough choice but the BBQ gods smiled on me and I got to do both in the same year. If I had a chance to do it again, I would be all over it!

 

[Gowan]

Maybe if they dropped the Shadetree and the international teams they could have a lot more GC teams there.

It's the international teams that make the Jack the World Championship, and they are a big part of that special something that makes the Jack unique.

As for the Shade Tree, I worked the turn-in table there this year so I know something about the layout. In it's current form it consists of fifty teams packed into a single baseball field at the very back of the park. Spaces are strictly limited to 20x20 (including your vehicle), no power is available and only a single shared water tap 100ft away. I don't see many pro teams being able to operate in such a place - it's basically tent city.

 

[Dale P]

Muzzlebrake has a good point about the International teams. Very noisy buggers too. Thumping on that bloody drum the entire time. Olay olay olay olay? Gave me a fright.

But the international chicks with the sexy accents should be invited back every year. wowsa!

 

[Q Haven]

As for the Shade Tree, I worked the turn-in table there this year so I know something about the layout. In it's current form it consists of fifty teams packed into a single baseball field at the very back of the park. Spaces are strictly limited to 20x20 (including your vehicle), no power is available and only a single shared water tap 100ft away. I don't see many pro teams being able to operate in such a place - it's basically tent city.

Sounds like every contest we cook in the Northeast....although we have power.

And I respect your opinion but a bunch of international teams in ridiculous costumes was not what made our trip to the Jack special...was more like a comic sideshow.

 

[YankeeBBQ]

Sounds like every contest we cook in the Northeast....although we have power.

And I respect your opinion but a bunch of international teams in ridiculous costumes was not what made our trip to the Jack special...was more like a comic sideshow.

I totally disagree. I think the international presence is a big part of why I like the Jack. If your on the track with those teams you get to interact with them and it's a lot of fun, without them it would just be another contest. That's just my opinion of course.

 

[Podge]

Both the Jack and the Royal did not have (at least this year) 100% attendance of the best teams in the world competing there. The Jack didn't draw all of them, and the AR lost some to Gallatin, Tn. contest.

 

[Gowan]

Sounds like every contest we cook in the Northeast....although we have power.

For better or worse, here in Dixie a significant number of teams are now using rigs that are forty feet long and require 30 amps of electric service, if not 50. Personally I would be happier with contests that look more like a campground than an RV park, but I understand it's natural for folks who can afford it to want more comfort and convenience at cookoffs.

It does make it increasingly difficult to host events though, as the cook teams are coming to expect accommodations for oversized rigs, and providing RV support doesn't come cheap.

 

[lunchlady]

fortunately, or unfortunately, we have had to make that same decision for the past two years.

We chose the Jack, hands down. Don't get me wrong, I really regret not being able to get out to the Royal, but we are already in the planning stages for next year.

I think it's incredible that international teams come out to a teeny tiny holler in Tennessee. I just wish I had more time to go meet them all. How often do you get to say that you visited with international guests? And that you all have things in common (BBQ) that you can talk about, albeit brokenly?

The Jack is gonna do what the Jack wants to do. Don't play if you don't like it, but I will always go if we are lucky enough to get invited. I think it is quite disrespectful to say it is the booze... it is so much more than just the booze, which they don't have flowing in fountains for your consumption, by the way.
And... they have been doing this for 20 years... I know there are only a select few of us that can say that.
It is the only contest, that I know of and I could be wrong, that invites international teams... how can you seriously call it a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, regardless of how they look, talk, party or place, without them?

I guess I don't understand the Shadetree event being there at that same time though, no offense to anyone. I totally remember being a newbie/backyard team, and to get to be there, alongside all those championship teams would be way cool, but I saw some of their award ceremony and they never even got inside of that pavilion. That would be crappy to me. They could fit more teams over where they were, but it is up to them, not us.

So... I choose the Jack, with the disclaimer that I have never been to the AR...
my goal is to make more prize money to be able to go to both and not have to make that decision again. :>

 

[ique]

I As for the Shade Tree, I worked the turn-in table there this year so I know something about the layout. In it's current form it consists of fifty teams packed into a single baseball field at the very back of the park. Spaces are strictly limited to 20x20 (including your vehicle), no power is available and only a single shared water tap 100ft away. I don't see many pro teams being able to operate in such a place - it's basically tent city.

It wasn't much different around the racetrack where we were setup. Maybe a bit more water service, but we didn't have electricity for most of the night. Some of the Pro teams were further away than the shade tree area. They could definitely add another 30 pro team instead of having that shade tree contest.

And I like having the international teams (particularly the Irish team )... remember a team from Great Britain won the whole thing a few years ago.

 

[Sledneck]

What is the shade tree?

 

[ique]

Heck, I'm just proud to even be able to exercise the idea of doing either next year. Unfortunately money will probably be a huge deciding factor and I have no idea right now what the costs involved in either are. Any insight from veterans?

You could probably do the Jack for about the same expense as a regular contest. You'd have some extra gas costs, and possibly some hotel costs, but there is no entry fee.

The Royal is expensive, two contests and the entry fee can get up there if you need extra space. Also, its tough spending 3+ days in a parking lot. An RV is highly advised or at least a local hotel room. All of which greatly increases costs. I dont even want to know how much money the Royal cost my team this year.

 

[Muzzlebrake]

I think its cool to have the internationals there, they are a riot and lots of fun but I am not all that sure of what level of competition they are used to facing or able to compete against. I like the costumes, drums and outlandish "on tour" behavior it's a blast.

I would however rather see a team of Brazilian women or the Swedish bikini team than a Beefeater anyday!

It is amazing to me that neither the Jack or Royal have running water. The Royal I think does a better job with the tankers coming by. We had to hijack QN and his golf cart to get water.

They are both so cool, each in their own way.......still say its a coin toss

 

[Linda]

This is for Militant Sqatter. Smokin in the Boys Room was team of the year. Twin Oak was team of the year. We finished 3rd in team of the year rankings the year we won. Winning Jack and being ranked in the team of the year standings is not unusual.

As far as choosing Jack or the Royal, I think it's like comparing apples to oranges. They are both unique events and both have their positives and negatives. We're lucky enough to live in the same town where the Royal is held. We'll continue to cook there until we quit competing. And if we're ever invited back to Jack, we'l go in a heart beat.

Linda
Smokin' Guns BBQ
1999 Jack Daniel's World Champion