As a competition team...

[Bentley]

pro⋅fes⋅sion⋅al 
–adjective 1.following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder. 2.of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession: professional studies. 3.appropriate to a profession: professional objectivity. 4.engaged in one of the learned professions: A lawyer is a professional person. 5.following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime: a professional golfer. 6.making a business or constant practice of something not properly to be regarded as a business: “A salesman,” he said, “is a professional optimist.” 7.undertaken or engaged in as a means of livelihood or for gain: professional baseball. 8.of or for a professional person or his or her place of business or work: a professional apartment; professional equipment. 9.done by a professional; expert: professional car repairs.


When you compete in a BBQ competition, do you consider yourself a BBQ professional?


Are you just a competitor, a hobbist, a professional...one, some or all?

 

[Just Pulin' Pork]

Competitor!

 

[rbsnwngs]

same here Competitor

 

[Jacked UP BBQ]

A drunk competitor

 

[Big George's BBQ]

I view my team as competitors

 

[HeSmellsLikeSmoke]

How many teams make their livelihood from competing? Those few might be considered professionals.

 

[Bentley]

Yea, 9 was the only one that I thought might apply. I figured if you competed for money you were considered a professional, but I guess this aint the Olympics in the 60's!

 

[Jeff_in_KC]

When talking to possible sponsors, "professional"... it has a better ring to it and instills a bit more confidence in their decision to sponsor. I always make the opportunity seem as professional as possible. I think the KCBS refers to it as a professional circuit as opposed to non-sanctioned events which may be considered amateur or something similar. "Undertaken as a means of livelihood or for gain" covers us. We're all trying to win and "gain". I know I am.

 

[txschutte]

Jeff nailed it.

 

[71-South]

I guess prospective sponsors don't dig the term "Farker" too much, huh?

 

[The Pickled Pig]

I consider BBQ Competitions a sport and myself an athlete.:shock:

 

[Just Smokin' Around]

I think the term "professional" is used to differentiate from "backyard" cooks at a competition. I don't see it used too much in the mid-Atlantic comps. I feel more of a competitor doing all 4 categories needed to win the overall.

 

[HoDeDo]

100% Competitor. (He couldda been a contenda)

Jeff Stehney, Olley Gates, etc. are BBQ Professionals.

Even with Sponsors, I would submit I am an amateur - an Enthusiast -Professional no, but an avid competitor.

Jeff- Just something to think about... But I would usually not use that term in talking with sponsors. My sponsors know I am there with my wife, girls, a dog, and who knows what else. It is a "sport" with lots of eyes on it, it is a marketing play. There are alot of reasons to sponsor me, but not because I'm a professional

 

[Kristin Meredith]

I don't think of myself as a professional when I enter contests because we don't sell BBQ for money -- we don't cater or vend or have a restaurant etc. -- as a means of supporting ourselves on a daily basis.

I am not even sure I am a competitor. I don't invest a lot of time practicing or trying to develop sauces and brines and rubs. I use to, but it didn't help, so I don't bother any more. I do give it my all when I go to a competition and try to the best of my abilities, but since I don't study and practice am I really that dedicated a competitor? My honest answer to that would have to be "no".

So, I guess that I have begun to conclude that I am a hobbyist. This is an activity that is different from other things which I do in life and so provides a nice break/release from everyday worries and boredom, provides some nice conversation starters with non-BBQ friends, and always has the possibility of providing a thrill if the judges do like what I do and give me a walk!!

 

[Alexa RnQ]

Competitor. We'll be professionals when we quit our day jobs, I suppose. *snort*

 

[PatioDaddio]

Just a young kid with a dream. :-D

John

 

[KC_Bobby]

I consider BBQ Competitions a sport and myself an athlete.:shock:

Exactly. We best meet up early Friday afternoon for a pregame drink so we don't get dehydrated.

 

[Double D's BBQ]

Everyone that participates in a BBQ competition is a competitor. Those that compete for money and prizes are professionals.

 

[BBQ_Mayor]

Got to be a little of all. Professional for the sponsor side of it, competitor cause it's a competition and it's my nature, and Hobbist cause it's something I love to do and have fun at while not take expenses off taxes.

 

[Gowan]

When I'm at a cookoff, I consider myself a Happy Man.