Busy, busy, busy

Hadn't realized it's been so long since I shared with y'all.  We've been busy around here with several catering jobs, pick up jobs and more.  

Beef ribs...oh my gosh yummy 

Yeah, that's a lot of chicken.  

We did pick up orders for July 4th.  We had two refrigerators that looked like this on the 3rd.  

I gave Timm this light up sign for Father's Day. 

One group enjoyed some delicious rib eyes for their event.  

We thank you all for the support!  Who knows, maybe someday this will be our full time career.  

Catering for our troops

It's spring in the southwest...that means the weather is great and folks are enjoying their time outside.  For us, that means a busy BBQ time.  We've been blessed with quite a few catering jobs over the last couple of months but the one that really stands out is cooking for the 820th Red Horse Squadron at Nellis AFB.  

We catered their spring family event in March for 350 people.  When hearing back from them they said they loved it, got rave reviews and even heard we won over a few Texans with our brisket.  That is a huge compliment in itself. 

This month, we were honored to hear from them to cater their homecoming celebration for the troops coming home from Afghanistan.  This is such an honor for us to provide the food for an important event for them.  

Timm and I (Crystal) both grew up close to Nellis AFB and have great respect for all the armed forces but the Air Force is dear to us and the Airmen that work in all aspects to protect our country. 

We heard back again...they loved and devoured the food.  That means so much to us! 

Sam's Club-Salt Lake City...better than expected

I gotta admit, I was excited about jumping back into the BBQ contest world but it's been since July 2013 since we competed in a full 4 meat contest.  We've cooked quite a bit but we haven't really practiced for competition.  Last month we competed in two rib only contests...doing well in one and tanking the other.  

We loaded up the trailer, picked up our meat, packed personal stuff and hit the road.  We traveled to Cedar City Thursday evening to spend the night instead of getting up a O'dark thirty and driving 450 miles.  This worked well and I think we'll do it again.  It was nice to not be so tired come Saturday at turn in time.  

We set up the Trailhound camp and settled in. Satisfied Hogs were next to us.  This time they brought Dutchess...the weiner dog.  What a cutie pie she is...can't believe I didn't get a picture of her.  

Squat & Gobble were on the next aisle...such great folks 

R&R (our first mentors) hosted an IMBBQA dinner Friday night at their site.  

We have a check list, we checked it, we forgot stuff...important stuff...ingredients for ribs, chicken, and brisket.  Yes, this was definitely the first full contest of the year.  I improvised and whipped up an injection for the pork with what we had available.  Ribs and brisket just didn't their ingredients.  

I thought my chicken was pretty good, I was pleased with the trimming, thought it looked and tasted good, we didn't forget any stuff for it so I thought it might be our best category.  Judges didn't think so...finished with a 20th placement.  

No call in ribs, finished 24th...apparently we need to work on ribs at the moment.  

We weren't expecting to hear our name in pork; after all, we forgot the injection.  There's a new rule for pork this year.  You can remove the money muscle from the butt so what the heck, let's give that a try.  It sliced better this time around I think, maybe a bit dark though.  Overall, I thought the box looked good.  We're thankful the judges liked it and we took 2nd place!  Now to remember what I put in the impromptu injection.  lol

Last but not least...brisket.  The first one we sliced didn't have the flavor we were hoping for.  Thankfully, the second one was on point and flavorful.  For the last couple of years, brisket has been our strong meat...and this year is starting off that way...2nd place call!  

By the grace of God we managed to place 6th overall.  I'm not sure we cooked well enough but I'm not a judge to make that final decision.  Thankfully, we are moving on to the next round...regionals in Las Vegas!  Congrats to R&R for walking in all four categories and placing 1st for GC.  We also want to congratulate Satisfied Hogs for their 3rd place walk for ribs.  They have been on a roll in the last 4 events in that category.  

Here are a few more photos to share from the event.  

Kim and Jason (Satisifed Hogs) 

One of the R&R boys 

Half Baked Hippies...what a wild looking set up! 

Mack (Got Smoke) working hard. 

Timm cutting ribs to see which ones we like best. 

Thanks to Troy Black, Sam's Club and all their sponsors, and to our new meat sponsor, John Mull's Meats and the Road Kill Grill.