This truly was an incredible experience! My husband has only been to a couple comps, and only for a few hours at that. So, at the post awards dinner, after an amazing weekend at La Quinta Resort he asked "Are all the competitions like this?" The clear and resounding response from everyone at the table- "NO!" He realized what a special event KOS is. We had our 2 Kids with us, (Matthew 7, Molly 3) and everyone was so nice to them. He was so blown away by the kindness of the staff & competitors to the guests and each other. He was overwhelmed by the clear vision Sterling has for the event; it being more than just a comp. Raising awareness and money for multiple charities like Operation BBQ Relief, Casey Lee Ball Foundation. Wanting spectators to feel welcome & educate them. Wanting the judging to really be about the food and the ability of the team to cook it, not about parsley. He took away with him what the bbq family is really about...family, (and food of course). Hopefully we can all take a bit of that vision with us to our comps in 2014. Be friendlier to the spectators, help raise awareness for a cause with the platform you are given, or take a newcomer under your wing.
