On the Road to Kansas City
The world of competition barbecue is a cut throat one. We've seen commando style units sweep in at 3am attempting to sabotage smokers and have seen actual babies thrown into the path of competitors as they rush to get their boxes turned in on time.
Ok. Not really. It's actually a pretty cool hobby, filled with great people who are always willing to lend a hand, share a tip or swap stories over an ice cold beer. Awards come, congratulations are shared, then you pack up and part ways until the next contest.
Another benefit of competition cooking? The prizes! A $12 check here, a plastic trophy there...It adds up quick! But some times something cool actually does come along.
For 30 years, hundreds of teams have descended on Kansas City for the American Royal, affectionately known as the World Series of Barbecue. But before the teams compete for bragging rights in the Open Contest, 70 or so Grand Champions from contests held across the country over the past year will participate in the American Royal Invitational. The best of the best putting their skills to the test in chicken, pork shoulder, brisket and ribs in a battle for the ultimate bragging rights.
Last night we opened the mailbox to find this...
...Our invitation to this year's American Royal Invitational to be held on October 3rd. Now comes the hard part; trying to figure out how to pull it with a very hectic work and home schedule and trying to keep costs under control.
Fortunately many of the great people we have met on the competition circuit have offered to lend us equipment in Kansas City, meaning we could flying in early Friday, cook, turn everything in on Saturday, then hit the road home. Maybe its possible. Find a few Weber Smoky Mountains to cook on, ship a box of necessary rubs and tools, and cook using only the bare necessities. Seems possible. We may end up dead arse last, but the thought of not meeting all those fine folks down in Kansas City and swapping a few stories over a cold beer may be too hard to pass up.
- SmokeInDaEye.com, Home of Bigger, Badder, Bolder BBQ
Ok. Not really. It's actually a pretty cool hobby, filled with great people who are always willing to lend a hand, share a tip or swap stories over an ice cold beer. Awards come, congratulations are shared, then you pack up and part ways until the next contest.
Another benefit of competition cooking? The prizes! A $12 check here, a plastic trophy there...It adds up quick! But some times something cool actually does come along.
For 30 years, hundreds of teams have descended on Kansas City for the American Royal, affectionately known as the World Series of Barbecue. But before the teams compete for bragging rights in the Open Contest, 70 or so Grand Champions from contests held across the country over the past year will participate in the American Royal Invitational. The best of the best putting their skills to the test in chicken, pork shoulder, brisket and ribs in a battle for the ultimate bragging rights.
Last night we opened the mailbox to find this...
...Our invitation to this year's American Royal Invitational to be held on October 3rd. Now comes the hard part; trying to figure out how to pull it with a very hectic work and home schedule and trying to keep costs under control.
Fortunately many of the great people we have met on the competition circuit have offered to lend us equipment in Kansas City, meaning we could flying in early Friday, cook, turn everything in on Saturday, then hit the road home. Maybe its possible. Find a few Weber Smoky Mountains to cook on, ship a box of necessary rubs and tools, and cook using only the bare necessities. Seems possible. We may end up dead arse last, but the thought of not meeting all those fine folks down in Kansas City and swapping a few stories over a cold beer may be too hard to pass up.
- SmokeInDaEye.com, Home of Bigger, Badder, Bolder BBQ
Posted by Smoke In Da Eye at 8/7/2009 9:56 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: competition bbq American Royal
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: competition bbq American Royal
Trackbacks
-
8/19/2009 8:23 AM
A BBQ Nation, The Official SmokeInDaEye Blog wrote:
Last week proved to be quite an exciting one for Smoke In Da Eye competition BBQ team despite the fact that we were unable to make the trip to upstate New York for the Hudson Valley Ribfest. -
8/17/2009 11:08 AM
A BBQ Nation, The Official SmokeInDaEye Blog wrote:
Last week proved to be quite an exciting one for Smoke In Da Eye competition BBQ team despite the fact that we were unable to make the trip to upstate New York for the Hudson Valley Ribfest. -
8/17/2009 11:33 AM
A BBQ Nation, The Official SmokeInDaEye Blog wrote:
Last week proved to be quite an exciting one for Smoke In Da Eye competition BBQ team despite the fact that we were unable to make the trip to upstate New York for the Hudson Valley Ribfest.
Congratulations on the invite, if there is anyway, you've got to get a little SmokeInDaEye in KC. It seems like you pretty much have it figured out and I know @BBQAddictsJason will do what he can, cause he's a really cool guy not to mention we're in a unique society where your competitors want to help. You guys have everything going for you,just execute, win, and get the hell out of town.
Reply to this
Wow, the Royal. Congratulations, Clint! See, this would be something Food Network should do. Send a correspondent to an event like that and have some live reports throughout the day. We need BBQ TV !
Reply to this
You know you're going to go, so Good Luck!
Reply to this
See you there my friend. I'm judging the invitational. Already made the hotel reservations!
Reply to this