December 2016 – Swamp Boys BBQ

2017 Q School Announced

Dec 242016

I am happy to announce the first date for my BBQ class will be February 18-19, 2017. The starting time is noon on Saturday. Over the two days we will go over everything I do to produce winning chicken, ribs, pork, brisket, and prime rib – from start to finish. Saturday evening I provide a smoked prime rib and potatoes supper, followed by some fire pit time. Sunday morning we start back up at 7:30 and go until we are done and all questions have been answered, which is usually around 3:30pm.

You will learn the exact same techniques I use to win. You will be told a list of flavor profiles that win. You will be given the information it takes to win. Or if you don’t compete, the skills it takes to be the best backyard barbecuer in your neighborhood. You will receive a swag bag filled with some of the great products I use. I have used these skill and techniques on 7 different styles of smokers. We will be using a Deep South Smoker and drums. We will cover both low and slow, and hot and fast styles of cooking. You will get to eat GC quality bbq. You will be given a 10% discount on the purchase of a Deep South Smoker, and a 20% discount towards a Grizzly Cooler, both proudly made in the USA.

The value of the class is greater than the cost, by far. Sign up early, this class will be limited to the first 20 people. We are already almost halfway there.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION , print it out and mail in with your payment. If you prefer to pay by credit card, use the PayPal link below. You can hold your spot with a $100 non-refundable deposit. Balance is due one week before the class.

NOTE: Our secure credit card processing provider is PayPal, however, you do not have to be a PayPal member to order. Just ignore the PayPal login box and continue where it says “Pay with a Debit or Credit Card”.

Thanks to My Sponsors for Another Great Year

BBQ Sauce, Big Poppa Smokers, General, Sponsors No Responses »

Dec 212016

I have been competing professionally in barbecue contests for 13 years now. I have tried a large majority of the bbq products out there. Some are good, some are great, and some are just a bad idea. I am very thankful that I have been able to align myself with some great companies and products. These companies and their products are great, I wouldn’t use them if they weren’t. Thanks for your support.

Deep South Smokers – simply the best quality and performance smokers. 100% usable interior space, the most even temp’d cooker I’ve ever used. Built by hand in the USA. Look for some exciting new pits in ’17.

Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous aka West Coast Offense – some amazing rubs and injections from these 2. I use them every contest. So do the best teams in the country. Proud to be a West Coast Offense team!

Nature’s Own Hardwood Charcoal from Basques – Every time I cook. Clean and predictable sugar maple lump. Nothing else. Why would you cook on anything other than all wood?

Grizzly Coolers – I’m proud to be an ambassador for the best coolers on the market. Keeps all of my meats, drinks and injections cold, for a long time. That’s one less thing I have to worry about. Made in the USA. Lifetime Warranty. Try to top that.

Master Purveyors – If it walks, flies, crawls or swims – they have it! Not to mention the best competition briskets (A-9) available anywhere. Get in touch and tell Carey I sent you. They ship.

The BBQ Guru – Hands down the best thermostat/draft system for smokers anywhere. I’ve been using them since they started back in the early 2000s. Makes minding your pit incredibly easy and produces consistent results. I’ve tried others, this is the best.

Butcher BBQ – David Bouska has lived and breathed meat and BBQ most of his life and his products reflect that. He’s used his knowledge to produce some amazing injections, rubs, sauces and oils. I use his products every contest and am proud to be a Pro Staff team.

Swamp Boys Rub and Sauces – Yes I sponsor myself. Yes I use my rub (ribs) and my sauce every contest. It works, you should try it.

2016: That’s a Wrap

Contests, General, Sponsors 2 Responses »

Dec 202016

People often ask me if I still enjoy BBQ competitions and BBQ life. My answer is always a big heck yeah! The friendships, experiences, and travel are amazing. The opportunities that come up are incredible. This past year has been no exception. Here it is by the numbers:

26 contests in 4 states – FL, GA, AL, KS
3 Grand Championships, 3 Reserve Grands
Mary, Pat, Woody and Tammy were all able to join us in KS for The Royal.
17 Top 5 Overall including 5 times 3rd
4 Perfect Scores including 2 Perfect-Perfect FBA
16 category 1st place calls
Vended as well as competed at 5 contests
2nd place FBA team of the Year
Recorded my 50th career Grand Championship (now at 51)
Taught 3 Swamp Boys Q Schools

Had I chose to not compete in the American Royal Invitational and Open, we would have come in the top 5 for KCBS TOTY for teams with 5 or less contests. The American Royal blew that all to heck though! But I wouldn’t trade the time with friends for anything.

Pro Grand Championship #50

Other fun events for ’16:

Did an onsite promo for Bass Pro Shops
Got to BBQ with a Special Olympian in Venice, and he won!
Launched “Rub’s Original Rub“
Won GC using a 7th different style smoker
Plans in the works for a class in Australia

And as always, a big Thank You to my sponsors. Every one of them matter.

Deep South Smokers – simply the best quality and performance smokers. 100% usable interior space, the most even temp’d cooker I’ve ever used. Built by hand in the USA. Look for some exciting new pits in ’17.
Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous aka West Coast Offense – some amazing rubs and injections from these 2. I use them every contest. So do the best teams in the country. Proud to be a West Coast Offense team!
Nature’s Own Hardwood Charcoal from Basques – Every time I cook. Clean and predictable sugar maple lump. Nothing else. Why would you cook on anything other than all wood?
Grizzly Coolers – I’m proud to be an ambassador for the best coolers on the market. Made in the USA. Lifetime Warranty. Try to top that.
Master Purveyors – If it walks, flies, crawls or swims – they have it! Not to mention the best competition briskets (A-9) available anywhere. Get in touch and tell them I sent you. They ship.
The BBQ Guru – Hands down the best thermostat/draft system for smokers anywhere. I’ve been using them since they started back in the early 2000s. Makes minding your pit incredibly easy and produces consistent results.
Butcher BBQ – David Bouska has lived and breathed meat and BBQ most of his life and his products reflect that. He’s used his knowledge to produce some amazing injections, rubs, sauces and oils. I use his products every contest and am proud to be a Pro Staff team.