Transformer BBQ

Been a long time since we’ve been able to sleep in on Saturday, run a few errands, hook up the trailer and head out to a KCBS contest that afternoon. The Mass State BBQ championships were held this past weekend in Harvard Ma. Located on a farm, this contest has room to become a huge event in the future, and has grown from 12 teams in 2007 to 36 this year making it already up there with the biggest New England events. We got in early (for us) around 1pm , which means that everyone else had been there at least a few hours already… and we were greeted with the usually, and warm, “So you decided to show up?”… pretty much our standard calling card at this point.

Turns out the spot would stay pretty dry compared to others, just happened to luck out. Set up went real smooth, rolled the cooker out, back in, and we were set. After we got inspected we started getting things ready for the KCBS contest, as well as making some food for the potluck. We decided to do a big Frito pie, and some saltine dessert that julie has made a few times at home. Rob and JT showed up before dinner and we headed off to meet up with the other teams. With a bunch of contest teams and no one wanting to be out done, it was one of the best potluck’s I’ve every been involved with. Thanks to Andy and Ken for working on putting it together… everyone had a great time.

Normally we’re pretty regimented in out prep… measuring everything. Well… doesn’t work very well when you leave the recipes home in a drawer. I have made many of these over and over… so we were able to get pretty close on most things. But its still something you’d rather not deal with at a contest. Prep went fine, and we stayed up pretty late joking around and getting the food on, eating Sully’s famous dip, and hanging out with friends, like Lakeside, I Que and ISS!!.

As things calmed down we settled into our night shifts of waking up to check the smoker, toss a log on or add some charcoal. Around 3:30 it started to rain, which didn’t disturb any sleeping… but played a bigger factor for people leaving the event the next day. The morning was relatively uneventful, meaning no big issues but still very busy.

Ended the day with one call for 3rd pork and a 4th place overall… so it was a successful event using the Mike and Kris rating system… Well… time to finish washing the mud off, refill the coolers and head out for another contest. See everyone in Westport…

-BB

After an active and social weekend in Harvard, Priscilla is exhausted.  I know that no one can understand how boring she is when she is at home with us, but really - this is how she looks every night (and day)!

Much like Nascar, the New England BBQ Society, has a points system resulting in one team at the end of the season winning a victory and a Cup.  Our goal is to someday be NEBS Team of the Year.  This year, we actually came close and took 2nd place in the overall standings.  And, we are very proud to have won Team of the Year in Ribs.  Everyone loves ribs and this is the one thing we haven’t changed at all since we’ve been competing.  We are using the very same recipe as when we entered our first contest, a ribs only small town comp in Antioch, California.  We had a fantastic time in what we consider to be our first ‘full’ season and can’t wait to keep cooking…jb

Hey, checking in.  Got back from the honeymoon and then ventured to the Hudson Valley Rib Fest in New Paltz NY.  We got to meet Max Lorson for the first time - he is SUCH a cute baby!  Fun contest, great weekend.  We also decided we are going to the Harvard Fall Festival (9/13-9/14) due to Lowell being cancelled.  Since we are from MA, we feel we should attend this fantastic local event.  We also have some friends and family who would like to come and check out a contest.  I guess I’ll just have to bring my tv and watch jimmie johnson win up at Loudon from afar!  Feel free to stop by everyone, it should be a great time!!! -jb