American Bass Anglers Barbeque Cook-Off (Lake Lanier, GA)
Back before the Pit Bulls "Up In Smoke" logo, before the official team shirts, banners and aprons, but with the signature "Black Stetson Hat", our team headed off to Lake Lanier for our first official pro competition. We've come a long way since our 29th Place finish at the event held in March, 2010. We did take a 1st Place win in our sauce (our first team recognition.) I gotta say, we've learned alot since then thanks to hard work, dedication, and a winning spirit. Hey, we were out there against some really tough professional competition - at least we didn't finish dead-last!
Smoke on the Lake (Acworth, GA)
Alright, alright...I know this doesn't count on the Pro circuit, but it was our 2nd competition. This was a backyard event we entered for a great cause back in May, 2010. Kinda swept the competition taking home a 1st Place win in Ribs, 2nd Place win in Pork, 3rd Place win in Anything Butt, and Reserve Grand Champion. Good day (and, it was my wife's birthday!)
Horsin' Around Barbeque Showdown (Young Harris, GA)
I'd have to say that this was one of my favorite competitions to date. In our third professional competition at Horsin' Around in Young Harris, GA we hit the mark. It was a day to remember-everything was perfect and the "Que'n" couldn't have been much better. With a field of some pretty tough competitors, our team pulled of a 3rd Place Overall finish, with a 2nd Place finish in pork, 2nd Place in Sauce (Anything Butt), 4th Place Finish in ribs, and a 5th Place in People's Choice. Every time I turned around, our name was called and back up to the stage we went. I'm telling you, with every call of the name, the fever burned even more.
Georgia Classic (Cartersville, GA)
Having used to be a KCBS sanctioned event, we decided to enter the Georgia BBQ Classic (since this was the competition my Pork took 3rd in the year before-the competition that led me to the creation of my own Pro Team.) It wasn't quite the same, but still had a pretty good field of competitors. The team took a 3rd Place in the brisket category with a 3rd Place Overall finish. The competition benefited a great cause and we were happy to be a part of it.
Dillard Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival (Dillard, GA)
My next competition was at the Dillard Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival, where I had the opporunity to "join forces" with a good friend of mine, Bill Anderson of Chatham Artillery, to compete. The two of us tag-teamed the competition, taking a 1st Place finish in Brisket and Grand Champion. Another great day to remember.
Pigs N' Peaches Barbecue Festival (Kennesaw, GA)
My hometown event came in August, 2010 and I was anxious to have our team compete in the much anticipated Pigs N' Peaches competition practically in our own backyard! We hit another "Top Five" finish at the event, taking 5th Place in our brisket, 3rd Place in Anything Butt, and 3rd Place Overall. Had a field full of some great competition, good friends, and even had the opportunity to school two great guys about the world of "Que", Tim & Mike, who had to cook with a pro team in order to receive their KCBS Master Judges certification. We all had a fantastic time, worked hard, and enjoyed finishing in the top five!
Jug Tavern Barbeque Festival (Winder, GA)
This was a "last minute" competition. With less than a week to prepare, we decided to enter the Jug Tavern Barbecue Festival in Winder, GA on September 11th, 2010. Having heard about it on Facebook, I couldn't resist the opportunity to compete. Our team took 5th Overall, with a 2nd Place finish in pork, and a 5th place in brisket, we placed in the top ten at the number 8 spot with our chicken (not bad, not bad.) It was a great day with good friends.
Lake Oconee Barbecue & Blues Festival (Lake Oconee, GA)
Beautiful site for a barbecue competition. We had a lakeside spot, but a good jaunt to turn-ins. The team had a wonderful time and we had the pleasure of having our good friends be part of our team for this event. Tim & Mike, you guys are the best. We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks for having your running shoes on and getting the turn-ins there on time. We took 10th in brisket at Lake Oconee, no more. It was a bitter-sweet finish. Maybe next time...
Atlanta BBQ Festival (Atlanta, GA)
What an incredible venue (Atlantic Station), beautiful weather, amazing crowd of people, and some really great times had with friends at the Atlanta BBQ Festival. Eric Campbell from Wicked Que and I assisted Ribz & Cribz (a backyard team) pull off a 1st Place in Ribs and Backyard Grand Champion. Eric helped teach 'em a thing about chicken and I helped teach 'em about ribs. I'm proud of my boys-good job to Will Henderson and Holt Westbrook for following direction and pulling off a fantastic win.
Oh, and we took 1st in Ribs and 10th Overall. Thrilled about the 1st place finishes! Looking forward to more like that!
Oh, and we took 1st in Ribs and 10th Overall. Thrilled about the 1st place finishes! Looking forward to more like that!
Sherman's Last Burning (Covington, GA)
Another great time and one to add to the "Up In Smoke" memoirs. Sherman's Last Burning in Covington, GA went well. Having taken 2nd Place in Pork, 5th Place in Ribs, 8th Place in Brisket, and 6th Overall - not a bad finish. Definitely helped us in the race for the points in the GA State Championship - now sitting in 5th Place. Gotta bring the "A" Game to Cherokee Pignic!
Cherokee Pignic (Canton, GA)
The Cherokee Pignic was a great venue and really nice event. Had the pleasure of que'n with some of our great friends from the circuit and got to meet some great folks from out of state. Didn't do bad at this one...took 5th place in Chicken, 8th place in Brisket, and came in 13th Overall (out of 42 teams competing.) Didn't get the Grand Champion this go around-will keep on keepin' on (so to speak)...Looking forward to Liberty Tree next weekend...Let's see what we can do there! Currently working on that winning combination! Unfortunately, didn't get the GA State Championship but still held on to 5th Place out of 209 teams (I'll take it!) There's always next year...
Liberty Tree Festival (Dalton, GA)
Had a nice time at the Liberty Tree Festival. Kasey Carpenter, the festival organizer, did a great job ALL BY HIMSELF. It was a smaller venue, but very nice. Let's see if he can't get more teams signed up for next year - wishing Kasey the best in making it a big event every year. Still had some great competition we were up against. We did well - finished 3rd Overall, with a 4th Place Chicken, 4th Place Pork, and 5th Place Brisket. Everything went off without a hitch - nice time had by all...Look forward to seeing everyone at next years event!
DegaQue "King of the Pit" (Talladega Superspeedway)
DegaQue was the last competition for our 2010 barbecue year and what a way to close the year at Talladega Superspeedway! I had the distinct honor of spending some time with some amazing folks such as the Chief Operating Officer from Moore's Marinade and cooking for the Kenny Schrader Nascar team. Good people!Cooking competition barbecue while hearing the roar of the racecars and trucks in the near distance really got the adrenaline kicked into high gear! The field of barbecue contenders was phenomenal...all the "big dogs" were there competing...and what's better...we had a very respectful 15th Place Overall Finish...Considering the well-respected "big name" competition we were up against, names such as Johnny Trigg (Smokin' Triggers), Tuffy Stone (Cool Smoke), Myron Mixon (Jacks Old South), Bubba Latimer (Bub-Ba-Q), Chad Renfroe (Uncle Chet's BBQ)...the list goes on and on, we can't complain about our overall finish and accept gladly. What's more...we took 3rd Place in Ribs...beating out the "Godfather of Ribs" Johnny Trigg, by 16 places...we couldn't have asked for much more than that (well, except for a 1st place finish of course!) It's been a great year...meeting new life-long friends and BBQ brethren, cooking some great que, and having some good finishes. We are excited about what 2011 has in store for Pit Bulls "Up In Smoke". Looking forward to a more exciting year, expanding ourselves into the Southeast Circuit (maybe even national)...To my extended "Que'n" family, it's been great and congratulations to all of you! See you in 2011!