Hello All,
What association is the best to belong to being a first time competitor for the competition circuit? I know this is probably a very vague question, just wanting to get some guidance.
Keep on Q ing.
Don
812 Bar b Que
Gear includes: Char-Griller's Grand Champ off set stick burner/smoker, SnS Kamado Deluxe, Weber 22, PBC, Victory gasser, Victory 36 griddle, Smoke Hollow electric smoker. ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4, Smoke, Signals, and RFX4, Meater+, SNS-500, roti fits 22 n gasser, Emeril countertop TO, InkBird Sous Vide, Potane Vac/Sealer. Fire&Ice griddle/cooler ensemble.
3-pkg of Collapsible Prep Tubs
Junior, Original, Xtra Lg. SS D. Norcross
Complete set (Tx PJ!) Wusthof Knives n block.
Dalstrong:
Phantom Series Paring knife
Shogun SeriesX 6" Chef knife
Gladiator Series 12"Cleaver knife
Just got into charcoal Dec ‘21 (PBC)
fav is brisky. Love Turkey on PBC. also Turkey in the glass,(any nice bourbon)
Bud has always been my barley pop.
Been smoking a handful of years, just got serious in the last two or three years. Thanks to AR n @glemn picked up an SnS Kamado for appx 1/3 price of new. I dont think he used it twice. Love AR! keep calm n smoke on! Miss you Bonesy.
It depends on what you want. KCBS is the largest with the most sponsored events, but that doesn't mean they have many near where you live. Where I am at, KCBS only holds 4-5 events state wide and only one is less than a 4-5hr drive for me. Where I previously lived (N. Texas), I could have competed 52 weeks of the year and never driven more than 90 miles from home between all the smaller sponsored association events and not once entered a KCBS contest. I would Google bbq events where you live and see how many come up. Some will be KCBS, others will be sponsored events by other associations, and some will be just local events. I would look at the smaller local events as a way to get your feet wet without the larger entry fees, plus you can always talk to the other cooks to see what associations they belong to in your area.
As an aside, don't be shocked if your backyard award winning BBQ is limited to only your backyard, especially at KCBS events. What get turned in and wins is probably not going to be what you want to serve/eat when you are cooking for family/friends. At the events and if you are respectful of their time, most teams will be willing to offer help/advice with the logistics of an event, or hook you up if you forgot to bring something, but don't expect to get any prep/cooking/seasoning/saucing advice as those are guarded secrets.
The largest is KCBS (Kansas City Barbecue Society). But a few of the other popular BBQ networks are IBCA, FBA and MBN. These associations will allow you to search for local competition BBQ contests, get dates and discover the costs of entering a contest.
Going to one as a spectator, will give you some incite. We are friendly, will chat with ya. just not share our secrets.
It takes more planning than you would expect. Regardless how long you have been cooking BBQ, it’s always a good idea to do a few practice runs so you will be in-sync with the turn-in times of the cooking contest.
If the competition BBQ contest offers a “backyard” or a “patio” section, I always suggest entering that division to start. It usually costs less, typically doesn’t require as much as the professional division. Which means 2 meats, such as chicken and ribs. Instead of all 4.
Know the rules, they inspect your meats before you start. A partner is very helpful, spouse, friend, very few do it all alone.
Not much going on until spring, which will give you time to do test cooks on that new Yoder! How do you like it by the way?
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