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. 

Pictures from Mesquite

A few pics to share from Smokin' in Mesquite. 

Smokin' in Mesquite

Another year of Smokin' in Mesquite BBW Championship is in the books.  No storms that brought rain, hail, or strong winds, no excessive heat warning, just calm, really warm...ok, hot weather this year.  This was our first time to compete here, we could've last year but writing the check for the entry fee was just too hard.  Yes, you have to put out money to get money, but we had that whole transmission thing happening last year too. 
Friday, we checked in, got the toy hauler set up with water and power.  Dad hauled the pit out for us.  Seriously, I think it made his day.  After all that, we had lunch at one of the Mexican restaurants before Dad and Nelson went home.  We met up with other BBQ teams to catch up on the latest.  Congrats to Little Miss BBQ...they're pregnant!  The 'Jack' draw was announced and several teams we know will be making the trek, including R&R, Rythym & Que, Smoked to the Bone, Whiskey Ranch and more.  I think there were 12-13 teams competing here that are going to the Jack.  We had dinner with Little Miss and Rod from R&R Friday night...it was a hoot.
I have to say, this was a very relaxed cook for us.  The pit was maintaining temperatures really well, there was no wind to contend with, it was really warm but tolerable, the meats were cooking right along.  We were really pleased with all the entries we turned in.  The chicken and ribs were incredible...not to brag, but they were really good.  The ribs probably could have cooked 15 minutes longer to tenderize a tiny bit more.  Pork tasted good, but presentation is still difficult.  Brisket was delicious.  Nelson and Chris ran turn-in boxes for us.
After turn-ins, clean up seems to be quick.  I try to clean all the way thru instead of having a huge mess at the end.  Thanks to Mom, Dad, Nelson and Chris for helping out.  We really apreciate it. 
Timm had a few co-workers stop by to show support.  We always appreciate our friends coming out to see us.  In fact, Ray and Dan stayed for the awards.
We got a 5th place chicken call....WooHoo!!!  Totally excited about that one.  Ribs tanked at 40th...at least we had a few teams behind us on that one.  They were really good too!!!  Seriously...I think we got a bad table of judges.  Pork received 28th, and brisket got a 22nd spot.  Overall, we ranked 26th...dang ribs. Congrats to Smoke on Wheels for Grand Champion and Rythym & Que for Reserve Grand Champion.   Little Miss BBQ took first in ribs...way to go!!!!!  We're so excited for you.
Oh, we finished 7th in the Nevada State Championship.  It's an accumulation of the two events held in Nevada.  Congrats to All Sauced Up for taking that one. 

Mesquite Newspaper Write-Up

We are so pleased to have a feature on our little BBQ team in the Mesquite newspaper today.  They are featuring several teams I understand as a way to promote Smokin' in Mesquite over Labor Day weekend.  Today was our write-up.  Please check it out and we hope to see you in Mesquite to root us on to victory.  You can view the official website http://www.mesquitebbqchampionship.com/ for event details.  NOTE:  The big day for teams competing is Sunday...that's when we will all be cooking, turning in boxes and attending the awards ceremony.  We hope to see many of our family and friends out there. 

Article and Video on Smokin in Mesquite

Here is a great article and video on Labor weekend's Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ Cook-Off.  Take a peak and enjoy.


http://www.prweb.com/releases/Mesquite_Nevada/Casablanca_Resort/prweb4471324.htm

Smokin' Good Time in Mesquite

I'm not saying it was hot Labor Day weekend in Mesquite...ok, yes I am saying it was hot!  It was exhaustingly hot.  The promoters should seriously consider pushing the event to a date later in the year.  Cooking on asphalt in 115 degrees is simply unbearable.  Don't get me wrong...we had a great time, it was just miserably hot!

"Shamus", McFrankenboo BBQ's mascot certainly had the right idea.  They had misters going in their booth...probably the smartest idea of the whole weekend. 

There were big name teams everywhere you looked.  Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ (Harry Soo) was there.  He was on BBQ Pitmasters last season.  I want to send Timm to one of his classes soon.

The Godfather of Ribs, Johnny Triggs was there too.  His wife, Trish is a sweetheart.  I must of spoke with her a half hour.  They are Smokin' Triggers, and have been out a month competing before heading home.  Johnny took 1st in brisket.  He episode of BBQ Pitmasters aired last week just before this event.  Big Poppa Smokers from that episode was also there.

We came out to show our support for many of the teams but really came out to help R&R BBQ from SLC.  They are twin brothers and I can't tell them apart.  What nice guys they are.  We helped out where we could but tried not to interfere.  The tear down process was quick with many hands making light work.  I was concerned for them, they just aren't used to the heat and weren't looking too good by that point, they were beat.  They placed 5th overall...not too shabby...and mighty tasty to boot.  Thanks for all the take home treats.

Erin and Todd also did well placing 1st in chicken.  Way to go!  Spent time talking with them as well.  They recently took GC at the Rosarito contest in Tijuana.  They got the news that they made the draw for the Jack Daniels Invitational while they were in Mesquite.

Jennifer Duncan (Smoked to the Bone) and her pink pig smoker.   Another great gal.  She spent lots of time with us in Williams showing us how to prepare boxes for turn in.  They did awesome this weekend.  Jennifer won Grand Champion and walked away with the big prize of $10,000.  Looks like her hubby, Tommy (Whiskey Ranch) will be wearing pink for quite a while.

We hung out and waited for the awards, meeting up with friends, ate BBQ nachos (which were really good by the way), and cooled off in the tent.  Teams had time to clean up, relax, and cool off before awards.  Congrats to all the teams that competed.  There was $40,000 in prize money to be had.  There were 47 teams, some really big names, and some fairly new teams as well.  All Sauced Up took the Nevada State Championship.  The comradery and friendly competition between teams is awesome.  Folks are willing to help out other teams if items were forgotten, etc.  It's just a great bunch of people.  Next year, look for us there.

Smokin' in Mesquite

If you want something to do check out the BBQ cook off at the Casa Blanca in Mesquite, NV this weekend.  It's Saturday and Sunday.  Pros cook on Saturday, and Sunday is Backyard Cook-off.  There will be BBQ to sample in People's Choice and you can pig out on BBQ with the vendors at the event.  They have some fun stuff going on for the whole family.  Check out their website at http://www.mesquitebbqchampionship.com/.  Sadly, we are not competing this year but will be cheering on all our BBQ friends and that will be...but watch out next year.  

Smokin' in Mesquite Labor Day Weekend

If you love BBQ, are in the southern Nevada area (or somewhere within a day's drive), and in need of a fun time head out to Mesquite, NV for the Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ competition.  It will be at the CasaBlanca Hotel and you'll smell it a mile away.   Some of the biggest names in BBQ will be there.  It's a great time any BBQ enthusiast will enjoy.  We'll be out there on Friday and Saturday visiting with BBQ friends and checking it out for next year.