Dec 292015
 

Swamp Boys BBQ Team was blessed to have another fun, productive, and charitable year in 2015. We were able to compete in 26 contests, in AL, AZ, FL, GA, NC, TN, TX, and The Hague, Netherlands! I travelled over 24,000 miles, all in the name of barbecue!

We won 2 Grand Championships and 4 Reserve Grand Championships, and a combined 12 top-5 overall finishes. 

lakeCity

FBA Florida State Champion 2015

We repeated as the Florida BBQ Association Florida State Champions, and finished 3rd in the FBA Team of the Year race, giving us 10 years of consecutive top 5 finishes.

On the Swamp Boys Q School front I was able to teach 5 classes in FL, IA, AZ and The Hague, NL. I truly enjoy teaching the art and science of BBQ to whoever will listen, wherever they are!

Q School Grads in Netherlands!

Q School Grads in Netherlands!

Swamp Boys BBQ Sauce sales also set a record, with 4 of the top 5 KCBS Teams of the Year being customers! We were also able to be accepted into the “Fresh From Florida” campaign, as a truly Florida product. I fully expect 2016 to set more records as the good word spreads.

We're Fresh From Florida!

We’re Fresh From Florida!

Through the help of the Swamp Boys Nation (all of you!) we were able to raise almost $7,000 to give directly to 2 dear barbecue friends who each experienced extreme health emergencies in ’15, to help pay their medical bills.

Robin (L) is now a Breast Cancer Survivor!

Robin (L) is now a Breast Cancer Survivor!

Jim (R) is recovering from Acute Pancreatitus

Jim (R) is recovering from Acute Pancreatitus

And as an outgoing  member of Big Poppa Smokers Elite Team, I am honored to be able to present our local  kidsPack USA a check for $1,000 from BPS. I regret that this will be my last act as a BPS Elite Team, as the criteria to belong has changed for 2016. However I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I have had to be a part of this charitable group of barbecuers. I hope to be able to continue to support kidsPack through other avenues in 2016.

kidsPack Lakeland

kidsPack Lakeland

Of course all of this was possible with the help of my sponsors, who have provided me with the best products available: Deep South SmokersBig Poppa SmokersCompart Duroc Family FarmsNature’s Own Hardwood CharcoalGrizzly CoolersGrillGratesButcher BBQBBQ Guru3 Eyz BBQ. I fully recommend all of these products with no reservations. Please talk to me if you have questions about any of them. I will be happy to help! And most of all thank you to my family! Without the love and support of my wife and daughters none of this could have happened. I love you guys, forever.

ThankYou

 Posted by at 12:55 pm
Dec 202014
 

The date is set, the location is Winter Haven, FL. Exactly where in WH TBA. I hope you’ll be able to join us!

*UPDATE ON VENUE*
I now have a location, and it’s just outside of Winter Haven. For those flying in it is 55 minutes from Tampa International and 70 minutes from Orlando International Airports. We will be at the American Legion in Mulberry FL which is the location of “Fine Swine” bbq contest. This is a nice venue with lots of room. There is limited hook-ups for your own motorhome or trailer if you want to stay onsite. Message me for details. There is a Super 8 motel 5 minutes away (863) 425-2500 or a Holiday Inn Express that is 13 minutes away (863) 533-8070. The address of the American Legion is 1500 N Church Ave, Mulberry, FL 33860

Click HERE for the application.

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WinterHaven '15

 Posted by at 1:00 pm
May 012014
 

I’ve been getting a lot of requests for a FL Q School again so I did some looking and found 1 available weekend – May 31-June 1. It’s coming up fast so put in for time off and send in your application.

**I just noticed the wrong dates are on the application about two-thirds of the way down. Correct dates are May 31 – June 1.**

Clermont Q School

Clermont Q School

Clermont Application

Clermont Application

 Posted by at 8:06 pm
Apr 232014
 
Grand Champ, FL State Champ!

Grand Champ, FL State Champ!

The Florida BBQ Association’s Florida State Championship was held in Venice FL April 18-19, and 57 pro teams went head to head to see who would be best. When it was all over we were fortunate to come out with a 3rd in chicken, a 3rd in ribs, a 3rd in pork, and a 6th in brisket. This very consistent cook gave us a nearly 9 point Grand Champion victory over Reserve Grand!

(Facts: I won this contest the first year and I was on crutches with a broken ankle. This year I had 10 stitches in my forehead from an accident. Also my first GC since releasing the sale of my sauce to the public. Buy it here.)

The Venice contest has always been a top-notch event hosted by the Venice Sertoma Club. I’ve not seen a group of volunteers who work harder to make their event a success. I know the teams all appreciate the extra efforts, from the meet and greet on Thursday night, to the free dinner and breakfast for teams, to the nice Tervis Tumbler. Lot’s of infrastructure upgrades have been made with power and water. I think this contest will continue to be a favorite among teams for years to come. And it is very popular with the locals. Estimates were between 10,000 and 15,000 people in attendance to enjoy the big name bluegrass bands and the best in barbecue. Vendors all sold out!

A big thanks to my cousin George who came down and helped me all weekend, making my work easier. And to all of my sponsors for providing the best products:

  • Big Poppa Smokers
  • Grizzly Coolers
  • Butcher BBQ
  • 3 Eyz BBQ
  • Wicked Que
  • Go Concepts
  • Winter Haven AAMCO
Grand Champion & Florida State Champion!

Grand Champion & Florida State Champion!

 Posted by at 9:10 am
Apr 162014
 

We are happy to announce that starting some time near the end of next week, the fine folks at Big Poppa SmokersBPS – will be the exclusive online retailer for Swamp Boys BBQ Sauces! Well almost exclusive, we will still maintain our store here at Swamp Boys and sell along with our sauce, our very popular Swamp Boys team t-shirts and visors.

big poppa smokers logo (1)

If you’re not familiar with BPS you should be, they are all that! First and most important is customer service, and theirs is top notch. I know from first hand experience. And great customer service can be hard to find these days, but not at BPS. The other great thing at BPS is their shipping. All orders over $40 ship for FREE. All other orders ship for a flat fee of $9.95. Anywhere in the continental USA! So that is a win/win for everyone.

There is one small catch, but it really is a plus in the end. To make it so BPS can have fair margins, I’ve had to bump the sauce prices up a little bit. But on my site I have lowered the shipping rates from $1-$2 so you will see a very minimal change if any. But over at the BPS store, you will be saving on shipping all over the place so you will actually be getting more bang for your buck on every order. So in the end it’s a plus for our customers. If you have any questions please email or call me.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has ordered and for all of the great feedback. It’s been amazing so far, and we want to keep it going! And please still order from us here at Swamp Boys every now and then. We like hearing from you and Amy loves filling orders!

 

 Posted by at 7:56 pm