Rock 'n Ribfest Merrimack, NH

[Muzzlebrake]

Congrats to a the Brethren!

Grand Champion: Fatback Joe's BBQ
Reserve Champion: Smokin' Hoggz BBQ

Overall:
1. Fatback Joe's BBQ - 662.8574
2. Smokin' Hoggz BBQ - 662.2858
3. Purple Pork Masters - 659.9994
4. ZBQ - 658.2852
5. Bob's Hogs - 655.9996
6. Lo'-N-Slo' BBQ - 655.4286
7. Wicked Good BBQ - 652.0000
8. Insane Swine BBQ - 645.7142
9. Crazy Smoke - 641.7142
10. Q Haven BBQ - 641.1426
11. Meat @ Slim's - 640.5712
12. The Basic BBQ Team - 637.1426
13. Que and A Half Men - 636.5716
14. The Devine Swine - 633.1424
15. Lakeside Smokers - 630.8566
16. S'mo Q - 628.5712
17. Howling Hog Barbecue - 627.4284
18. Pig Pen BBQ - 627.4282
19. Pigs Done - 626.2862
20. Bone Daddy's BBQ - 619.9996
21. Control Freak Cooking - 619.9992
22. Feeding Friendz - 618.2850
23. Perfect Rack BBQ - 615.9998
24. I'm a Hog for Que, Baby - 614.8564
25. Sweet Breathe BBQ - 614.8562
26. Yabba Dabba Que! - 614.2852
27. Granny's Gang Barbeque - 614.2848
28. Udder Chaos BBQ - 611.4286
29. Boneyard Smokers - 606.8572
30. A Mazie Q - 605.7146
31. Peace Pipe BBQ - 599.4284
32. Quittin' Time BBQ - 587.9996
33. Green & Blue BBQ - 583.9998
34. Oak Hill Smokers - 583.4282
35. Blazin' Barrels BBQ - 576.5716
36. Livin the Q Life - 575.4282
37. BBQ Anonymous - 574.8572
38. JK'S Q - 573.7142
39. Fogle's BBQ - 548.5714
40. Grill2Thrill - 489.1426
41. Main St. Elite - 322.8568


Chicken:
1. Fatback Joe's BBQ - 174.2858
2. Lo'-N-Slo' BBQ - 173.1428
3. Bone Daddy's BBQ - 172.5714
4. Que and A Half Men - 168.5716
5. Purple Pork Masters - 166.8570
6. ZBQ - 165.7142
7. Pigs Done - 165.1430
8. Wicked Good BBQ - 165.1428
9. Crazy Smoke - 165.1428
10. Lakeside Smokers - 163.4284
11. Meat @ Slim's - 162.2858
12. Howling Hog Barbecue - 162.2856
13. Bob's Hogs - 162.2856
14. Smokin' Hoggz BBQ - 161.7142
15. Insane Swine BBQ - 161.1428
16. The Basic BBQ Team - 160.5714
17. Yabba Dabba Que! - 160.5714
18. I'm a Hog for Que, Baby - 160.5712
19. Sweet Breathe BBQ - 159.9998
20. Control Freak Cooking - 157.7140
21. Boneyard Smokers - 155.9998
22. The Devine Swine - 155.4286
23. Peace Pipe BBQ - 154.2856
24. Perfect Rack BBQ - 154.2856
25. A Mazie Q - 153.1430
26. Grill2Thrill - 152.5714
27. Q Haven BBQ - 152.5714
28. Green & Blue BBQ - 152.5714
29. Udder Chaos BBQ - 152.0000
30. Granny's Gang Barbeque - 151.9998
31. BBQ Anonymous - 151.4286
32. Quittin' Time BBQ - 149.7140
33. S'mo Q - 149.1430
34. Pig Pen BBQ - 149.1428
35. Oak Hill Smokers - 147.9996
36. JK'S Q - 147.4286
37. Blazin' Barrels BBQ - 146.2858
38. Livin the Q Life - 144.5714
39. Feeding Friendz - 143.4284
40. Fogle's BBQ - 141.1430
41. Main St. Elite - 138.8570


Ribs:
1. Smokin' Hoggz BBQ - 174.2858
2. Bob's Hogs - 166.8570
3. Meat @ Slim's - 165.1426
4. Purple Pork Masters - 165.1426
5. Crazy Smoke - 164.5716
6. Oak Hill Smokers - 164.0000
7. Insane Swine BBQ - 163.4284
8. Bone Daddy's BBQ - 162.2856
9. Q Haven BBQ - 161.1428
10. Granny's Gang Barbeque - 161.1428
11. Lakeside Smokers - 160.5716
12. Perfect Rack BBQ - 160.5714
13. S'mo Q - 160.0000
14. Blazin' Barrels BBQ - 159.4286
15. Sweet Breathe BBQ - 158.2858
16. ZBQ - 157.7142
17. The Devine Swine - 157.7140
18. The Basic BBQ Team - 157.1428
19. Pig Pen BBQ - 157.1426
20. Pigs Done - 156.0002
21. Lo'-N-Slo' BBQ - 155.4288
22. Peace Pipe BBQ - 154.8572
23. Feeding Friendz - 154.2856
24. Control Freak Cooking - 154.2856
25. Wicked Good BBQ - 153.7144
26. Fatback Joe's BBQ - 152.5714
27. Howling Hog Barbecue - 150.8570
28. I'm a Hog for Que, Baby - 150.8568
29. Boneyard Smokers - 149.7146
30. Yabba Dabba Que! - 147.9998
31. Udder Chaos BBQ - 147.4286
32. Que and A Half Men - 147.4286
33. A Mazie Q - 146.8572
34. Livin the Q Life - 146.8570
35. JK'S Q - 144.0000
36. Green & Blue BBQ - 138.8572
37. Quittin' Time BBQ - 138.8570
38. Fogle's BBQ - 136.5716
39. BBQ Anonymous - 130.2856
40. Grill2Thrill - 20.0000
41. Main St. Elite - 20.0000


Pork:
1. Wicked Good BBQ - 166.8572
2. Que and A Half Men - 166.8570
3. Lo'-N-Slo' BBQ - 166.2856
4. ZBQ - 166.2854
5. Pig Pen BBQ - 165.1430
6. Peace Pipe BBQ - 163.9998
7. Bob's Hogs - 162.8572
8. Fatback Joe's BBQ - 162.8572
9. Smokin' Hoggz BBQ - 161.7144
10. Purple Pork Masters - 161.7142
11. The Basic BBQ Team - 161.1428
12. Grill2Thrill - 161.1428
13. BBQ Anonymous - 160.5716
14. Insane Swine BBQ - 160.5714
15. The Devine Swine - 160.5714
16. Granny's Gang Barbeque - 160.5712
17. Feeding Friendz - 160.5712
18. S'mo Q - 159.9998
19. Q Haven BBQ - 159.4284
20. Udder Chaos BBQ - 157.7144
21. Howling Hog Barbecue - 157.1428
22. A Mazie Q - 154.8572
23. I'm a Hog for Que, Baby - 154.8570
24. Boneyard Smokers - 153.7142
25. Lakeside Smokers - 153.7142
26. Control Freak Cooking - 153.7142
27. Crazy Smoke - 152.5712
28. Perfect Rack BBQ - 152.5712
29. Quittin' Time BBQ - 152.0000
30. Meat @ Slim's - 149.7142
31. Blazin' Barrels BBQ - 146.2858
32. Oak Hill Smokers - 145.1428
33. Sweet Breathe BBQ - 144.5712
34. Main St. Elite - 143.9998
35. Yabba Dabba Que! - 143.9996
36. Bone Daddy's BBQ - 142.2856
37. Fogle's BBQ - 141.7140
38. JK'S Q - 139.9998
39. Pigs Done - 138.8572
40. Green & Blue BBQ - 138.2858
41. Livin the Q Life - 130.8570


Brisket:
1. Fatback Joe's BBQ - 173.1430
2. ZBQ - 168.5714
3. Q Haven BBQ - 168.0000
4. Pigs Done - 166.2858
5. Wicked Good BBQ - 166.2856
6. Purple Pork Masters - 166.2856
7. Smokin' Hoggz BBQ - 164.5714
8. Bob's Hogs - 163.9998
9. Meat @ Slim's - 163.4286
10. Yabba Dabba Que! - 161.7144
11. Insane Swine BBQ - 160.5716
12. Lo'-N-Slo' BBQ - 160.5714
13. Feeding Friendz - 159.9998
14. Crazy Smoke - 159.4286
15. S'mo Q - 159.4284
16. The Devine Swine - 159.4284
17. The Basic BBQ Team - 158.2856
18. Howling Hog Barbecue - 157.1430
19. Pig Pen BBQ - 155.9998
20. Grill2Thrill - 155.4284
21. Udder Chaos BBQ - 154.2856
22. Green & Blue BBQ - 154.2854
23. Control Freak Cooking - 154.2854
24. Que and A Half Men - 153.7144
25. Livin the Q Life - 153.1428
26. Lakeside Smokers - 153.1424
27. Sweet Breathe BBQ - 151.9994
28. A Mazie Q - 150.8572
29. Perfect Rack BBQ - 148.5716
30. I'm a Hog for Que, Baby - 148.5714
31. Quittin' Time BBQ - 147.4286
32. Boneyard Smokers - 147.4286
33. Bone Daddy's BBQ - 142.8570
34. JK'S Q - 142.2858
35. Granny's Gang Barbeque - 140.5710
36. BBQ Anonymous - 132.5714
37. Fogle's BBQ - 129.1428
38. Oak Hill Smokers - 126.2858
39. Peace Pipe BBQ - 126.2858
40. Blazin' Barrels BBQ - 124.5714
41. Main St. Elite - 20.0000


Grilling

BURGERS 1 Q Haven BBQ 167.4286
BURGERS 2 Smokin' Hoggz BBQ 167.4284
BURGERS 3 Feeding Friendz 166.2856
BURGERS 4 Wicked Good BBQ 165.7146
BURGERS 5 Quittin' Time BBQ 165.143
BURGERS 6 A Mazie Q 164.5716
BURGERS 7 Blazin' Barrels BBQ 163.4286
BURGERS 8 Control Freak Cooking 162.2856
BURGERS 9 Lo'- N - Slo' BBQ 161.7142
BURGERS 10 Sweet Chicken 161.7142
BURGERS 11 Perfect Rack BBQ 160.0002
BURGERS 12 Insane Swine BBQ 157.7146
BURGERS 13 Sweet Breathe BBQ 156.5712
BURGERS 14 Living the Q Life 154.8574
BURGERS 15 Green & Blue BBQ 154.8572
BURGERS 16 BBQ Anonymous 154.2858
BURGERS 17 Boneyard Smokers 152
BURGERS 18 Fogle's BBQ 151.4288
BURGERS 19 Bone Daddy's BBQ 151.4286
BURGERS 20 The Basic BBQ Team 150.8572
BURGERS 21 Howling Hog Barbecue 149.7144
BURGERS 22 Udder Chaos BBQ 149.1428
BURGERS 23 Yabba Dabba Que! 148.5714
BURGERS 24 Main St. Elite 148.0002
BURGERS 25 Grill2Thrill 147.4284
BURGERS 26 The Devine Swine 146.8572
BURGERS 27 Pig Pen BBQ 20
BURGERS 28 Oak Hill Smokers 20
DESSERT 1 Insane Swine BBQ 175.4284
DESSERT 2 Sweet Chicken 174.2858
DESSERT 3 A Mazie Q 173.7142
DESSERT 4 Sweet Breathe BBQ 173.7142
DESSERT 5 Pig Pen BBQ 170.2856
DESSERT 6 Howling Hog Barbecue 168.5714
DESSERT 7 Q Haven BBQ 167.9998
DESSERT 8 Blazin' Barrels BBQ 167.4284
DESSERT 9 Boneyard Smokers 166.8572
DESSERT 10 Wicked Good BBQ 166.2856
DESSERT 11 Fogle's BBQ 165.7146
DESSERT 12 Smokin' Hoggz BBQ 165.1426
DESSERT 13 The Devine Swine 161.7142
DESSERT 14 Quittin' Time BBQ 159.9998
DESSERT 15 Control Freak Cooking 159.4286
DESSERT 16 Feeding Friendz 158.2858
DESSERT 17 Udder Chaos BBQ 156.571
DESSERT 18 The Basic BBQ Team 155.4282
DESSERT 19 Living the Q Life 154.2856
DESSERT 20 BBQ Anonymous 152.5712
DESSERT 21 Grill2Thrill 150.857
DESSERT 22 Yabba Dabba Que! 150.2856
DESSERT 23 Bone Daddy's BBQ 149.1426
DESSERT 24 Green & Blue BBQ 145.1426
DESSERT 25 Lo'- N - Slo' BBQ 142.2858
DESSERT 26 Perfect Rack BBQ 141.1428
DESSERT 27 Oak Hill Smokers 20
DESSERT 28 Main St. Elite 20
PIZZA 1 Feeding Friendz 164.5716
PIZZA 2 Yabba Dabba Que! 164
PIZZA 3 Bone Daddy's BBQ 163.4286
PIZZA 4 Smokin' Hoggz BBQ 163.4284
PIZZA 5 Control Freak Cooking 161.7142
PIZZA 6 Lo'- N - Slo' BBQ 160
PIZZA 7 Udder Chaos BBQ 158.8572
PIZZA 8 Boneyard Smokers 158.2862
PIZZA 9 Insane Swine BBQ 157.1428
PIZZA 10 Howling Hog Barbecue 154.8572
PIZZA 11 A Mazie Q 154.8572
PIZZA 12 The Devine Swine 154.857
PIZZA 13 Sweet Chicken 153.143
PIZZA 14 Green & Blue BBQ 150.8574
PIZZA 15 Living the Q Life 150.2862
PIZZA 16 Sweet Breathe BBQ 149.143
PIZZA 17 Oak Hill Smokers 149.1428
PIZZA 18 Q Haven BBQ 148.5712
PIZZA 19 Wicked Good BBQ 147.4286
PIZZA 20 BBQ Anonymous 144.5712
PIZZA 21 Blazin' Barrels BBQ 143.4286
PIZZA 22 Grill2Thrill 142.2858
PIZZA 23 Quittin' Time BBQ 142.2858
PIZZA 24 Perfect Rack BBQ 136.5712
PIZZA 25 The Basic BBQ Team 132.5712
PIZZA 26 Fogle's BBQ 132.5712
PIZZA 27 Pig Pen BBQ 20
PIZZA 28 Main St. Elite 20
SAUSAGE 1 Yabba Dabba Que! 168.5714
SAUSAGE 2 Udder Chaos BBQ 166.2854
SAUSAGE 3 Bone Daddy's BBQ 165.1428
SAUSAGE 4 Control Freak Cooking 164.5714
SAUSAGE 5 The Basic BBQ Team 162.8572
SAUSAGE 6 Blazin' Barrels BBQ 161.1428
SAUSAGE 7 Sweet Breathe BBQ 158.8572
SAUSAGE 8 Q Haven BBQ 158.2858
SAUSAGE 9 Insane Swine BBQ 158.2856
SAUSAGE 10 Green & Blue BBQ 157.7142
SAUSAGE 11 Sweet Chicken 157.1428
SAUSAGE 12 Howling Hog Barbecue 156.5712
SAUSAGE 13 BBQ Anonymous 154.857
SAUSAGE 14 Perfect Rack BBQ 152.5714
SAUSAGE 15 Lo'- N - Slo' BBQ 150.8568
SAUSAGE 16 Grill2Thrill 150.2856
SAUSAGE 17 Feeding Friendz 150.2854
SAUSAGE 18 The Devine Swine 149.143
SAUSAGE 19 A Mazie Q 149.1428
SAUSAGE 20 Main St. Elite 146.857
SAUSAGE 21 Wicked Good BBQ 140.571
SAUSAGE 22 Fogle's BBQ 135.4288
SAUSAGE 23 Smokin' Hoggz BBQ 134.857
SAUSAGE 24 Boneyard Smokers 132.5714
SAUSAGE 25 Living the Q Life 121.1428
SAUSAGE 26 Quittin' Time BBQ 115.4282
SAUSAGE 27 Oak Hill Smokers 20
SAUSAGE 28 Pig Pen BBQ 20
OVERALL RANKING 1 Insane Swine BBQ 648.5714
OVERALL RANKING 2 Control Freak Cooking 647.9998
OVERALL RANKING 3 Sweet Chicken 646.2858
OVERALL RANKING 4 A Mazie Q 642.2858
OVERALL RANKING 5 Q Haven BBQ 642.2854
OVERALL RANKING 6 Feeding Friendz 639.4284
OVERALL RANKING 7 Sweet Breathe BBQ 638.2856
OVERALL RANKING 8 Blazin' Barrels BBQ 635.4284
OVERALL RANKING 9 Yabba Dabba Que! 631.4284
OVERALL RANKING 10 Udder Chaos BBQ 630.8564
OVERALL RANKING 11 Smokin' Hoggz BBQ 630.8564
OVERALL RANKING 12 Howling Hog Barbecue 629.7142
OVERALL RANKING 13 Bone Daddy's BBQ 629.1426
OVERALL RANKING 14 Wicked Good BBQ 619.9998
OVERALL RANKING 15 Lo'- N - Slo' BBQ 614.8568
OVERALL RANKING 16 The Devine Swine 612.5714
OVERALL RANKING 17 Boneyard Smokers 609.7148
OVERALL RANKING 18 Green & Blue BBQ 608.5714
OVERALL RANKING 19 BBQ Anonymous 606.2852
OVERALL RANKING 20 The Basic BBQ Team 601.7138
OVERALL RANKING 21 Grill2Thrill 590.8568
OVERALL RANKING 22 Perfect Rack BBQ 590.2856
OVERALL RANKING 23 Fogle's BBQ 585.1434
OVERALL RANKING 24 Quittin' Time BBQ 582.8568
OVERALL RANKING 25 Living the Q Life 580.572
OVERALL RANKING 26 Main St. Elite 334.8572
OVERALL RANKING 27 Pig Pen BBQ 230.2856
OVERALL RANKING 28 Oak Hill Smokers 209.1428

[Sledneck]

Congrata fatback & hoggz!!

[ique]

Congrats Joe on a return to the Jack!

[Fatback Joe]

Great time and great weather.

GC is always special, but the best part was my son spent the whole weekend out there with me. Not often that I get that much time with him alone and it made for a great Father's day.

Congrats to all who got to hear their names called yesterday.

[Muzzlebrake]

Nice job Joe, sounds like it was truly a special day for you!

[Jaskew82]

Congrats Joe. Thanks again for the pointers this weekend as well!

[bmanMA]

Way to go Fatback and Smokin' Hoggz! See you fellers at RI.

[boogiesnap]

congrats fatback and hoggz! and everyone that heard their names! nice work out there!

joe, it was great to see your son beaming after awards. truly special indeed.

[Sledneck]

I read on FB that the contest organizer was fining teams for burning the grass

[HarleyGirl14226]

Congrats to Fatback Joe's on the GC and Smokin' Hoggz on the RGC, and to all the Brethren who got calls!

[BoneDaddy's]

I read on FB that the contest organizer was fining teams for burning the grass

They must have missed us, but I have to say, things were off this year. The new team running it were not very well run.

Just trying to get in was a pain!

[Mister Bob]

Congratulations Fatback Joe, Smokin' Hoggz and all the Brethren who got their calls, it was a great weekend and the perfect way to spend Fathers Day, cooking with the family. It was a pleasure meeting all of the Brethren that stopped by to say hello, and Joe, you were an excellent neighbor. It's nice to put faces to the names. See you all again next month in Rhode Island!

[Fatback Joe]

Joe, you were an excellent neighbor.

The feeling is mutual, Bob. Nice to meet you and enjoyed being next to you.

[Big George's BBQ]

Congrats to all who walked

[QN]

Wow! Congrats to all who were called. There were some really great teams there. Had a great time seeing old friends and meeting some new ones. Lot of Brethren were there.

[JimmyDAL]

Awesome job Joe! Along with Smokin'Hogzz! And all that got to walk.

[Tone]

Congratulations Fatback Joe's BBQ, Smokin' Hoggz BBQ and Insane Swine on the grilling GC!

We had a great weekend despite the headaches getting in and out of the venue.

[Muzzlebrake]

Joe, did you listen to this on the way home?

[Rub]

Great winning weekend with your son, AND a trip to the Jack?! Doesn't get any better than that, congrats Joe!

[BasicPatrick]

Congrats to now known as Fatback (to the Jack) Joes BBQ, Smokin' Hoggz (Alan was pit master this weekend) and all the rest that got and did not get calls.

It was nice to meet QN and I am a bit bummed I never got to meet aforementioned Grand Champion & SmoQue as well.

[Fatback Joe]

Congrats to now known as Fatback (to the Jack) Joes BBQ, Smokin' Hoggz (Alan was pit master this weekend) and all the rest that got and did not get calls.

It was nice to meet QN and I am a bit bummed I never got to meet aforementioned Grand Champion & SmoQue as well.

Patrick,

I never saw you outside of your suite. LOL. I'll look you up next time, I assume you will be in RI?

[Fatback Joe]

Great winning weekend with your son, AND a trip to the Jack?! Doesn't get any better than that, congrats Joe!

Thanks Rub. I sincerely hope to see you there. You probably don't remember, but you were next to me at my very first comp (Sebring, FL) and you made a big impression.............remember taking a whiff of my brisket injection? Your nose is probably still burning. LMAO.

[BasicPatrick]

Patrick,

I never saw you outside of your suite. LOL. I'll look you up next time, I assume you will be in RI?

Suite...lol. Now ZBQ has a sweet. I have a 1996 old ass motorhome. Getting stuck in NYC on Thursday had us behind schedule all weekend. I spent most of my time in the trailer. I am already signed up for RI.

[Smokin Hoggz]

Smokin' Hoggz (Alan was pit master this weekend)

LOL......Alan was (P.M.I.T.)pitmaster in training, and he did do a great job!!!!!

kind of like Dwight from the office....Assistant to the regional manager

Big Congrats to Fatback Joe for for the big GC, going back back to 'The Jack'

Also congrats to Insane Swine for GC and Control Freak for RGC. for the NEBS grilling event on Sat.
Congrats to all who got calls!!!!!!!

[boogiesnap]

Congrats to now known as Fatback (to the Jack) Joes BBQ, Smokin' Hoggz (Alan was pit master this weekend) and all the rest that got and did not get calls.

It was nice to meet QN and I am a bit bummed I never got to meet aforementioned Grand Champion & SmoQue as well.

i walked by a few times to say hello, but i didn't see ya either.

we'll stop by in RI.

[Westexbbq]

Congratulations, nice going by all y'all.

[CBQ]

I read on FB that the contest organizer was fining teams for burning the grass

Yes, the organizers went to each site, asked where the cookers where, and handed out fines if anything was on the ground.

I understand why they are doing it, but the fine amount ($50) seems more like a traffic ticket (intended to be punitive) vs. being related to the actual cost to repair the damage.

The real thing that was surprising was that this new "policy" was not announced in advance. It's not in the cook's materials, nor was it mentioned at the cook's meeting. This is the first contest (after cooking 47 of 'em) that I have seen do this. I think it's the organizer's right to do so, but they should tell people about it in advance as it's not the norm.

The source of our $50 ticket...uh..er..fine:

[CBQ]

I read on FB that the contest organizer was fining teams for burning the grass

We tried unsucessfully to use a KCBS approved garnish to resolve the problem. :becky:

[boogiesnap]

how did they enforce payment?

i'm always careful with my sites anyway, but if they tried to get 50 bucks outta me, they'd a been SOL. after a contest i'm a broke mofo.

[CBQ]

how did they enforce payment?

They asked for cash on the spot, but we wanted a receipt so we were told to mail a check.

They didn't say what the penalities for non-payment would be, but I would assume future applications would be rejected.

The organizer handing out the fines told us the property owners charged them $200 last year for grass damage.

[boogiesnap]

that's what i thought.

[ique]

They didn't say what the penalities for non-payment would be, but I would assume future applications would be rejected.



Really? Promise? :evil:

[Fatback Joe]

The organizer handing out the fines told us the property owners charged them $200 last year for grass damage.


I bet they barely turned a profit after that. :Cry:

So if they charged more than 4 teams $50 they made money on that too if they got off with a $200 charge again.

That is crazy with as big of a draw they get out there and as small as the payouts are.

[boogiesnap]

I bet they barely turned a profit after that. :Cry:

So if they charged more than 4 teams $50 they made money on that too if they got off with a $200 charge again.

That is crazy with as big of a draw they get out there and as small as the payouts are.

agreed. $2900 or so payout against almost 10 grand paid in. not the biggest fan of that.

[CBQ]

Really? Promise? :evil:

Finish ahead of Wicked Good in one contest and the claws come out. :boxing::becky::becky:

[HarleyGirl14226]

OK - I'm going to preface this comment with saying that we have not competed in this contest, so I could be talking out my butt here... BUT...

To not be told about this "fine" ahead of time - either in the application, cook's packet or in the cook's meeting - is ridiculous. It would seem that something like that would have to be disclosed, much like any of the other "No No's" or housekeeping rules (no swearing, loud music, excessive drinking, etc... - OK - we should all stop laughing now).

Kevin and I have been talking about this since we saw it on FB Sunday, and while I'm sure it is an awesome contest otherwise (and an automatic into the Jack - which has it's own appeal) - I've got to be honest, as a competitor we would think twice before considering this contest in the future knowing that is how they treat the teams.

That being said - if they were to add the possibility of being fined into the application/rules going forward - then the disclosure is there, and nobody is blindsided.

How were the teams treated otherwise? Is it a "team-centric" contest?

It will be interesting to see how they handle this going forward...

[ique]

Finish ahead of Wicked Good in one contest and the claws come out. :boxing::becky::becky:


No no, thats not what I meant. If an organizer had told me 'you will not be able to come back', my response would of been, promise?

I had a similar interaction with organizer a few years ago and have not been back since. I get tempted though by the auto qualifier.

[Sweet Breathe BBQ]

Least hospitable, competitor centric event I’ve attended. Kind of felt like when you bring kids to a nice restaurant and tell them to be on their best behavior, you give them a place mat to color on and tell them not to bother you until it's time to leave. We saw coordinator at check-in, told to behave, and never saw him again until he came to check for burn marks.

I wonder how much damage those vendors left?

Getting in and out was a huge hassle

On the plus side, didn't have a problem with water or electric so that was good.

[pigmaker23]

All thats needed is a second NH Contest and one of two things will Happen, Better treatment of the Teams in an effort to retain them, or no contest at all due to lack of interest once the Auto is gone. I have been to 9 of the 10 contest's held, this one showed no improvement, and the prize money is still the same as 2004. Still Glad I went, Best weather of the year so far.

[boogiesnap]

i agree, it did kind of feel like that, but, i'm just curious, outside of water, available ice, and consistent power, what more do you expect from an event?

i've only done a handful of comps, are there perks to other events that i'm not aware of?



leaving the prize pool issue aside.

[Sledneck]

i agree, it did kind of feel like that, but, i'm just curious, outside of water, available ice, and consistent power, what more do you expect from an organizer?

leaving the prize pool issue aside.

Free beer

Cooked breakfast

[Sweet Breathe BBQ]

Wasn't terrible. Bottom line, most other organizers provide much more pleasant experience and more accommodating.

[Balls Casten]

Im all for keeping a clean spot and we always sweep up after a contest but I'd like to see the burn marks in a couple weeks. Prob be the greenest part of the yard. Looks a little thatch-y to me anyway.

Love the parsley. you should really put the stems down and fill in all the way to the edges. :-)

[CBQ]

No no, thats not what I meant. If an organizer had told me 'you will not be able to come back', my response would of been, promise?

I had a similar interaction with organizer a few years ago and have not been back since. I get tempted though by the auto qualifier.

I was kidding, of course, but you are right. If Merrimack wasn't an auto they would struggle to get teams. Since they are, they sold out this year.

It's really a nice venue, good power, water, and ice. This year they started picking up trash from the competitor sites instead of making us haul it to the dumpsters.

We just felt blindsided by this. We always try to take care of our site, and this was accidental.

[Jorge]

If you have issues at a contest, please take the time to submit a Contestant Critique to KCBS. We can't do anything about a problem if we don't know that it exists. Multiple reports about the same or similar issues help form a more complete picture of what did or didn't happen as well. Here's a link to the online form.

http://kcbs.us/forms.php

[BasicPatrick]

Thanks Jorge as I will definitely be filling out one of those forms.

Issue #1: My displeasure with this contest started a week ago. I sent an email to Colleen who was the email contact, requesting the grilling payout schedule as I was trying to determine how much to invest in our entries....NO RETURN EMAIL

Issue #2...We arrived at 2:45pm Friday and the cooks package clearly stated that we must arrive by 3pm. Before the motorhome came to a stop at the EZ-up out in the parking lot the attendee was telling me he didn't think "they" would let anyone else in today. I pointed out that we were within the time allotted and he just got on a radio and asked if they would accept one more team. I told him that if we could not get in then he needed to find me the woman who accepted my check. We were let in.

Issue #3...The grilling awards were a nightmare. Two big personality radio DJ's were rushing through so fast that they would have the next team called before the prior team was anywhere close to the stage. They really exposed their unprofessional nature when one of them was leaning on the chainsaw statue/trophy as Insane Swine was taking pictures with it. Horrible. When I told the organizer I felt the whole affair was rude to the teams she apologized and stated it was on the DJ's and they had no idea what goes into a contest. I politely told her that was the job of those the chose the emcee for the event.

Issue #4...Sunday at 3:40 pm one of the organizing team came around telling teams awards would be at 3:45. I pointed out that the cooks package and other documents stated 4pm. His response was "We want to get people out of here". I was told he or another of the organizers keep repeating that the cooks package is always "subject to change"

Issue #4...Our site was supposed to be 40 x 20. Simply put it was not 20 feet wide. We adjusted and without complaint to the organizers. When the organizer came to check our site and well after my neighbor ZBQ had left...said organizer mentioned the ZBQ fine. I told him that in my opinion it was excessive and not a court in the land would hold up that fine. The contest sold space to a BBQ team for the purpose of cooking with a wood fire. That brings with it a reasonable expectation of heat. Of course their is a line somewhere between reasonable and negligent but look at the picture ZBQ posted. That line is nowhere near this situation. At this time I pointed out that I had purchased a 40'x20' site and asked if I could get a refund of $50 (same as the fines) since I did not get what I paid for as far as space. Are you ready.....no answer.

The largest issue to me is that this was the first contest that I can honestly say was not a good time I am a consumer and at the end of the event I was not thinking about scoring 12th overall against top notch teams. I was bitching to others about this anti team feel to this event. This is the first BBQ contest where I did not feel good at the end. I am the consumer. I vote with my dollars. I don't sacrifice A GOOD TIME for the shot to QUALIFY. I will defiantly not be back.

[Q Haven]

For those of us who have been going to this contest for years most of these issues are nothing new. They have always taken in massive amounts of money at the gate and paid paltry prize money. I took third place brisket and got a check for $27.50. They are always gruff with the teams, but there was a real edge to it this year. We have come to New Hampshire almost every year, but you could not pay me to come back next year. In fact, I may try to organize a contest the same weekend next year :-). Hell I paid more prize money at Cape Cod with no gate and no sponsors.

[ique]

For those of us who have been going to this contest for years most of these issues are nothing new. They have always taken in massive amounts of money at the gate and paid paltry prize money. I took third place brisket and got a check for $27.50. They are always gruff with the teams, but there was a real edge to it this year. We have come to New Hampshire almost every year, but you could not pay me to come back next year. In fact, I may try to organize a contest the same weekend next year :-). Hell I paid more prize money at Cape Cod with no gate and no sponsors.

I'll work on this with you Ted.

[ique]

For those of us who have been going to this contest for years most of these issues are nothing new. They have always taken in massive amounts of money at the gate and paid paltry prize money. I took third place brisket and got a check for $27.50. They are always gruff with the teams, but there was a real edge to it this year. We have come to New Hampshire almost every year, but you could not pay me to come back next year. In fact, I may try to organize a contest the same weekend next year :-). Hell I paid more prize money at Cape Cod with no gate and no sponsors.

Even worse was then at the awards the announcer would mock the $27.50...

"And now a check for a whopping $27.50 for 3rd Place Brisket in New Hamp SHIRE..."

[boogiesnap]

wow, $27.50. have people no shame anymore?

i didn't have anywhere near the cold experienced of others, but, taking our money just to be able to cook on their field is plain wrong.

but, to be clear, taking NOTHING away from the great teams that heard their name there.

[Fatback Joe]

Good thing the pay out is higher than $27.50 now.......you would have to win a category to be able to pay for burning the grass. :wacko:

[CBQ]

Good thing the pay out is higher than $27.50 now.......you would have to win a category to be able to pay for burning the grass. :wacko:

FBJ, that is the current 3rd place payout.

In my case, I got a 4th ($20), and a 2nd ($112.50). Take away the $50 fine and I cleared $82.50 for 3 top ten category finishes and a 4th overall.

[bmanMA]

FBJ, that is the current 3rd place payout.

In my case, I got a 4th ($20), and a 2nd ($112.50). Take away the $50 fine and I cleared $82.50 for 3 top ten category finishes and a 4th overall.

Nice score! Almost paid for the foil!
Please tell me you aren't going to pay that fine...

[pigmaker23]

You got more than I did

[BoneDaddy's]

We had 3 3rd's and cleared 27.50 three times! I sent coleen a note telling her how rude the parking folks were. We got there at 10am and were treated with "who are you" No "welcome" or "hello". Not to mention the 45 minute wait to get in. Same thing for a Saturday trip out, when we left for 30 minutes!

This event has not gone down hill, it fell off the cliff....

[wickedbbq'r]

In fact, I may try to organize a contest the same weekend next year :-). Hell I paid more prize money at Cape Cod with no gate and no sponsors.[/QUOTE]

Ted, you should have it in CT so it's an auto as well.

Congrats on the call! Sucks about the payout.

[Fatback Joe]

FBJ, that is the current 3rd place payout.

In my case, I got a 4th ($20), and a 2nd ($112.50). Take away the $50 fine and I cleared $82.50 for 3 top ten category finishes and a 4th overall.

Wow!

[HarleyGirl14226]

Not to sound stupid here - but aren't there already two other contests in CT? (at least they are on the KCBS website...)

In fact, I may try to organize a contest the same weekend next year :-). Hell I paid more prize money at Cape Cod with no gate and no sponsors.

My suggestion is you organize a new contest the week you used to have Cape Cod - but in NH - to take away the auto-qualifier edge they currently have. They would probably go from selling out each year to scraping by for contestants. :twisted:

[Q Haven]

If they don't get 25 teams then the qualifier aspect is moot. I have a couple ideas for a CT contest that weekend. One location is off I-395, convenient to MA and RI. That should lure a few teams :-)

I probably wouldn't do one in NH. I've done the long distance organizing thing and it is very difficult.

The Westport one is a backyard deal and is not a qualifier. New London is a qualifier.

[JimmyDAL]

I'm all for a Conn Ted! Norwalk was just getting some momentum.

[pigmaker23]

I nominate Eric Mitchell to secure a new contest for New Hampshire, with his diplomacy and negotiating skills he would be the one to get something going !

[Scottie]

I am glad to hear that all you good NEBS teams won't be competing. I might have to check NH off my list next year!!!!! :grin:

Its stories like these that have kept me away. I'm still waiting on a question I asked 5 years ago about accodating my RV...

[Rich Parker]

Congrats Joe! I still think you should have sold me that medium. :grin:

[Fatback Joe]

Congrats Joe! I still think you should have sold me that medium. :grin:

Rich,

Just so happens that I cooked both the chicken and brisket in that thing.

[CBQ]

In fact, I may try to organize a contest the same weekend next year :-). Hell I paid more prize money at Cape Cod with no gate and no sponsors.

Ted, you should have it in CT so it's an auto as well.

Congrats on the call! Sucks about the payout.[/QUOTE]

It would not be an auto. There is at least one other contest, and maybe two in CT.

The New London, CT "Best BBQ Chef" contest is September 29-30. It's full KCBS, so if they get 25 it's a qualifier. It's also a pretty nice event, intersting venue that should be less windy this year because they moved it forward a month. The event organizer is a professional event organizer, and she made an effort to make it a team friendly event too.

Westport (Sept 1-2) is now listed at a State Championship on KCBS. I don't know if it is still backyard, or if this signals a return to a full 4 meat KCBS format now that Norwalk is gone.

[CBQ]

I am glad to hear that all you good NEBS teams won't be competing. I might have to check NH off my list next year!!!!! :grin:

Its stories like these that have kept me away. I'm still waiting on a question I asked 5 years ago about accodating my RV...

One good thing about Merrimack is that they have 20x40 spots and allow RVs if you can fit in a 20x40. A couple of low branches to dodge at the entrance, but I got my 39.5' long 13' high RV in there OK.

In the interest of fairness, not everything about Merrimack is bad, it's more that the organizers make a lot of money on the gate and beer sales. The teams are left feeling that, even though it's a BBQ contest, we are sort of secondary to the whole affair.

Good things about Merrimack, included some improvement this year:

Low entry fee (hence the low prize pool)
Auto Qualifier
Reasonable ice prices, this year delivered to your site (vs. hunting down the guy with the key to the truck in years past)
Trash collection at your site (vs. a long walk to the dumpsters as in year's past)
Judge's tent not 100 miles from the competitors
A generally pleasant venue
A good event to invite friends and family to, with lots of activities not related to people cooking meat in tents
Power and water are generally reliable, though I would run my RV generator if I wanted to use the AC (which you problably won't need in New England in early June)

[Sledneck]

Ted, you should have it in CT so it's an auto as well.

Congrats on the call! Sucks about the payout.

It would not be an auto. There is at least one other contest, and maybe two in CT.

The New London, CT "Best BBQ Chef" contest is September 29-30. It's full KCBS, so if they get 25 it's a qualifier. It's also a pretty nice event, intersting venue that should be less windy this year because they moved it forward a month. The event organizer is a professional event organizer, and she made an effort to make it a team friendly event too.

Westport (Sept 1-2) is now listed at a State Championship on KCBS. I don't know if it is still backyard, or if this signals a return to a full 4 meat KCBS format now that Norwalk is gone.






Westport is still 1 day backyard. Kcbs lists it as state championship every year

[wickedbbq'r]

I didn't realize that new london was going to happen this year. They must have recently added it to the kcbs website. Heard a lot of negatives about that contest from other teams who said they would be surprised if they had it again next year. As far as westport, its a backyard contest only.

[CBQ]

I didn't realize that new london was going to happen this year. They must have recently added it to the kcbs website. Heard a lot of negatives about that contest from other teams who said they would be surprised if they had it again next year. As far as westport, its a backyard contest only.

Really? It's on the New London event schedule. It's sponsored by the city, so they are not dependent on people's choice events, gate receipts, or anything like that.

Only bad thing was water distribution (which they say they will fix), not enough trophies (also fixable), and weather (not their fault, but moving it into September should help).

[Sledneck]

New London did a great job for a first year event.

[wickedbbq'r]

New London did a great job for a first year event.

Not trying to start anything. Wasn't there. I hope they did a great job and I have it on my radar for this year.

[JimmyDAL]

I thought New London did a Great Job! And don't forget the showers! We're in.

[Rub]

Thanks Rub. I sincerely hope to see you there. You probably don't remember, but you were next to me at my very first comp (Sebring, FL) and you made a big impression.............remember taking a whiff of my brisket injection? Your nose is probably still burning. LMAO.
I think I do remember that! You guys were getting your drink on as I remember. Good times. :becky:

[CarolinaQue]

Just curious, did any of the money they brought in go to charity? I could understand the low pay out a lot more if the extra money was going to help a good cause and not line the pockets of an entity or corporation. Just seems pretty poor that 3rd place in a ctegory is getting a mere $27.50 as prize money cosidering how much the entry fee for the teams brought in alone, not to mention all of the vending sales and cost just to get in. What were the pay outs of the other categories?

[Fatback Joe]

You guys were getting your drink on as I remember.

Surely you have me confused with someone else :icon_blush::icon_blush::icon_blush:

Yeah, you probably remember. LOL :mrgreen:

[Perfect Rack BBQ]

This was our first attempt at competition BBQ and we had a blast. It was great meeting so many great people and can't wait to do it again. We learned so much from our mistakes and can't wait to start practicing. Congrats to Fatback Joes on your GC and your bid to the Jack. And congrats to the crew at Smokin Hoggz on your RGC and best of luck on defending the title at the Jack. Can't wait to see you all again. Best of luck to you all!!!

Chris Hart
Perfect Rack BBQ

[CBQ]

According to KCBS, ZBQ was the only team to file a comment form for this contest. They are taking this to mean that teams are happy with the event and the organizer's practice of assessing random unannounced fines. Lots of people have told me personally they don't intend to return, but nobody has complained to KCBS.

If you were at the event, and unhappy with how it was handled, please fill in that contest critique form. If you filled it in, please do it again. They didn't get it.

[Perfect Rack BBQ]

I didn't realize it was so bad due to the fact it was our first competition.