Northern Arizona BBQ Festival 2013

Another great weekend in Williams at the Northern Arizona BBQ Festival is in the books.  The weather was a real treat with highs in the mid 80's and lows near 50 at night, especially after the extreme heat we cooked in the weekend before at home in Vegas. 

We got there early on Friday morning and set up while it was still cool...even at that, Cassy still seeks out shade. 

Sin City Smokers came back again this year. 

VooDoo ZomBQue came back to compete again this year as well.  We enjoyed having them as our neighbors again this year.  (Love the new wrap on their trailer)

Little Miss BBQ herself, Vivian is now 14 months old.  Bekke and Scott are proud parents...as they should be. 

Timm working on ribs.

Crystal working on chicken. 

P.S.  We love our trailer. It's works really well for us. 

Prepping box for pork turn-in.

Cherry cheese cake dessert turn-in.

Waiting for awards...why can't they start on time. 

Our first time to win a 1st place...in any category.  We received it in dessert...woohoo...cherry cheese cake. To make it even better...it received a perfect score of 180....and paid $600. 

We finished in the 11th spot, tying with 10th on total score...however, the first tie breaker (brisket) had our score just a bit lower, bringing us to 11th overall. 

Other placements we received...

chicken, 11th

ribs, 7th

pork, 18

brisket, 16

Congrats to Little Miss BBQ for their repeat performance of Grand Champion and Rhythm'nQue for Reserve Grand Champion.    

We had the pleasure of meeting several great people including some guys from Great Britain.  They were interested in the smoker and how it works, they came back on Saturday for samples and were super excited to taste the food.  We were talking with another gal we gave samples to about Operation BBQ Relief...she and her husband lost their home in Joplin MO and actually received meals from OBR.  What a small world it really is.  We sent a box of meat home for her hubby, we received a really nice and sincere email from them. We gave the rest of our prepared meats to folks from Camp Civitan.  They operate a special needs camp in the area and were super excited to receive the donation.  They assured us the campers were going to be very happy to enjoy great bbq.  It's a blessing to be able to share with such wonderful people. 

We stuck around a few extra days to enjoy the area.  It's a great place to explore.  We didn't go into Grand Canyon NP...my knees just weren't up to a whole lot of walking.  But we did drive through Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, and took Cassy swimming in Dogtown Lake and White Horse Lake.  We also visited Bearizona.  You can see photos from those adventures at our other blog, Trailhound Adventures.

Heading for some cooler country

That's right, we are header for higher, cooler country this weekend.  We'll be in Williams AZ for the Northern Arizona BBQ Festival.

Last weekend Timm cooked both days in the record breaking heat.  It was 114 degrees on Saturday and 109 on Sunday.  It's a good thing everyone enjoyed and appreciated their food.  ;)

We are so looking forward to highs in the mid 80's with a low of 50...it will be like heaven.  Cassy will enjoy as well.  She'll also enjoy time spent at a lake or two in the area.  It's been a long time since she has had a chance to play in the water like that.  She has a kiddie pool here at home, but she only stands in it. 

We hope to hear a name at awards and bring home a few bucks but just being able to spend time in the Williams area is a winning time for us.  We'll even hit Bearazona...it's such a neat place.  

Where are we next?

Good question...haven't really been anywhere since January but it's starting to wind up for the next few months. 

 Memorial Day weekend we are sticking close to home, we'll be in Boulder City NV for the Best Dam BBQ Challenge.  Turn ins are Saturday starting at noon.  There's lots to do at this one with a kid zone play area, kids 'que contest, a new marketplace (vendors) and more.  We hope for better results this year than the last.  

 Just a couple of weeks later on June 14 & 15 we'll be in Williams AZ for the Northern Arizona Barbeque Festival.  This is another great contest.  They have people's choice tasting at this contest and it's a big hit with the crowd.  I love this area of the country.  

July 12th & 13th takes us to Arizona once again, this time a bit further to Holbrook AZ.  Whiskey Ranch Pro BBQ Series is hosting the Ace in the Hole BBQ Throwdown.

I think its awesome how small communities get behind these contests and make them successful.  This one is tied in with a fair as well.  It's right on I-40 and historic Route 66 runs right through town (just like Williams AZ).  There's a people's choice at this one as well but we donate our meats to the local food bank instead like we did last year.  

There's nothing on the calendar (as of now) for August.  We'll have to see how we'll do in Boulder.  The overall outcome there will be the deciding factor if we go to Mesquite or not for Labor Day weekend.  We hope to see y'all at one or two of these events.  Be sure to stop and say hello and taste a sample or two.  

Northern Ariozona BBQ Festival

Mid-June we headed south to Williams, AZ for what was our first contest in 2010.  It's such a great place...small town America...nostalgia and all that stuff. 

The town of Williams put in lots of work before we all arrived.  They paved the rest of the area, added electrical outlets, water, and a stage.  It looked great and served us all well.  It was nice to get water close to our site. 

Our neighbors were another Nevada team...ZomBQue.  I love those guys.  Oh, and Richard got himself a nice new (well almost new) Ford F-350....soooo pretty.   

Cassy was the most awesome mascot ever.  She is so well behaved, and always impresses.  About 5am she was looking for a soft place to sleep and tried to curl up on the end of my sleeping bag.  I felt bad and invited her onto the whole sleeping bag with me.  She quickly accepted and got comfy quick.

Little Miss BBQ (Scott and Bekke) brought Vivian to her first contest.  Seriously, I don't know how they had a chance to cook with all the attention she got.  They were golden that weekend, with 2 first place, a third place, and grand champion overall....and won the raffle for a free space next year.  Rythm-n-Que took RGC.  Our best call was 5th in chicken.  We finished 12th overall. 

We stayed Saturday night in a KOA Kamping Kabin a few miles outside of Williams.  It was kinda cool, and I enjoyed it.  Cassy slept on the bottom bunk on our towels and was so happy to be there.  I enjoyed the swing on the front porch, it was quite relaxing and quiet.  The stars were gorgous and the crickets snag us to sleep.

 

Our Summer Schedule

Things heat up in the BBQ world over the summer and many events are scheduled all accross the United States.  Here's where we'll be:

May 25,26     Best Dam Barbecue Challenge
                      Boulder City, NV

June 15,16     Northern Arizona BBQ Festival
                      Williams, AZ

July 6,7         Ace in the Hole BBQ Contest
                      Holbrook, AZ

August 31, Sept 1 
                    Smokin' in Mesquite
                    Mesquite, NV

October 12,13  Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Finals
                   Bentonville, AR

We hope to see some of our friends and family at few of these events. 

Turn in boxes for Northern Arizona BBQ Competition

Here are some photos taken of the turn in boxes.

I can't no one got a photo of the completed rib box...UGH.

Our First Competition

I can't believe I haven't gotten this post up before now...well I do know why...my computer's USB ports are acting up and I can't download my own photos.  So I will share photos others took.

What a weekend...it was so exciting, full of fun, nervousness, wonder and amazement.  I have to tell you BBQ folk are some wonderful, generous, eager to help others, social, fun-loving people.  We were welcomed with open arms from everyone we met.  Yes, it is a competition, but teams offered advise, help, tips, and lessons to all of us newbies.  They want everyone to do well.

I thought we were entering a small, kinda local competition only to find out some of the best BBQers in the nation were there...on both sides of us in fact. Talk about being nervous. But we worried for nothing, everyone was so supportive, friendly and helpful. There is so much more to competition BBQ than I ever expected.

Special thanks to R&R from the SLC area with our rib box and more. Your guys rock! Your encouragement, wisdom and friendship is truly appreciated.  Thanks for the IMBBQA banner too, we'll will fly it proudly everywhere we go.  Congrats on finishing so well, too. 

Tommy and Jennifer at Whiskey Ranch provided great help, tips, and more with boxes and brisket.  We got great scores on appearance thanks to you guys. 

Mike, you and your gang at AZBBQ threw a heck of an event. Thanks for making us feel so welcome. Can't wait for the next one!

Our self-designed and made smoker was quite a hit.  Other teams were coming over to check it out all during the event.  Timm and Chris should be proud of it for sure.  Many teams had made their own pits as well, there was one made from a Peterbuilt chrome fuel tank, and of course, large propane tanks are the material of choice.  Our Knaack construction site gang box is fairly unique to the BBQ world. 

We participated in People's Choice and got great compliments on our product.  We offered chopped pork and ribs.  Many folks came back for seconds, and I even saw a couple of third helpings in line.  Wish we knew how many would purchase tickets for this, we would have planned to cook more meat. 

Christy and Chris manned people's choice and were great with the crowds.  

We finished 27th out of 28 teams overall.  Was hoping to finish about mid-pack but then again, the caliber of teams was incredible. 
Chicken 26th...turned in legs, most use thighs...although ours were super tasty and moist, skin was crisp and delicious.
Ribs 24th...our best event and got compliments from other teams saying they should have scored much higher.
Pork 26th...tasty and a hit in peoples choice...gotta work on a sauce for that one though. 
Brisket 28th...gotta get the temp up for a more tender brisket, it was flavorful, just gotta get a more tender cook on it.
Oh, we got a 7th place for best booth too.  Even got to walk and get a ribbon for that.  Next year, watch out...I'm looking for 1st place on that one.
 
Timm and I are thankful for all the support from our families.  Scott, Christy and Chris drove up after work on Friday to participate and made it just in time for the midnight appetizer party.  Apparently, they were hungry...but you gotta try everything right.  My parents, brother and his son came to support up in our adventure into the BBQ world as well.  Thanks to all of them. 

We  stuck around on Sunday to see the backyard bbq...was hoping for more competitors on that one.  We should have cooked for peoples choice that day...lots of folks looking to eat some 'que.  We also took a ride on the train that day before the kids headed for home.  It was Christy's first train ride, the boys obviously loved it as well.  Timm and I stuck around for 5 more days enjoying the area. 

getting ready

The pit and most of the gear is loaded in the trailer.  Still need to add a few things.  The toy hauler is getting loaded...haven't done that in a while it seems.  The banners look fantastic!  We are so pleased with them.  Wish we had team shirts but that will be new next time around.  Taking two vehicles on this trip, we'll be staying a few extra days while the kids bring the BBQ stuff home with them at the end of the event.  Getting excited!  If you want to find cooler weather and something to do, head over to Williams AZ for a 4th of July BBQ competition and stop to see us and say hello.

Big Step

Our first application for competition sent out today....big step for us.  Our first competition will be in Williams AZ over the 4th of July weekend.  Really excited about it but nervous at the same time. The website for the event is NAzBBQ.com.  Wish us luck!