Jul 212011
 

We had another great class at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park July 15-16. We had folks come in from KY, VA, SC, GA, CA, and FL. We covered everything about barbecue, from beginning to end. The students were eager to learn and everyone soaked it all in and left with confidence. There was a nice write-up about the class in the local paper up there that you can read about here.

A big thank you to our sponsors for the class:

3 Eyz BBQ
Bad Byron’s Butt Rub
Butcher BBQ
Dizzy Pig BBQ
Oakridge BBQ
Sorry Boys
Spicewine Ironworks
Stump’s Smokers

Thanks to everyone for making the trip, and I look forward to seeing you up on the stage and hearing about your successes!

 Posted by at 4:34 pm
Jul 252010
 

3rd Ribs, 23rd overall/42 teams

Can’t really explain what happened to me here. There is obviously a new taste profile that the judges are liking better than what they liked last year. It’s going to be my job now to figure out just what that is, or give them something even better.

But the big story for the weekend was recent Swamp Boys Q School graduates Unknown BBQ. Jason, Lee, and Clark all took my class just less than a month ago. This was their first FBA contest since the class, and they had never won a first place in any category, or a Grand Championship. Well, they won a first in chicken, a first in ribs, and a first in brisket, along with Grand Champion. I’d say the class paid off for them! Congratulations guys!

 Posted by at 7:58 pm
Jun 242010
 

I will proudly be showcasing rubs and sauces from the following producers:

Thank you all for sharing your championship products to help make this class a success!

 Posted by at 12:25 am
Jun 192010
 

5th Chicken, 5th Ribs, 9th Pork, 1st Brisket, GRAND CHAMPION/32 Teams

1st place Brisket

Grand Champion!

I got to go to this contest it’s first year and had a great time. I missed going up there last year, so I was happy to see that it worked with my schedule for this summer. The drive up was 8 hours and I arrived around 10:30pm. I got out of the truck and right away felt the heat and humidity. It was still 86 degrees at 10:30 at night! Needless to say the heat was the talk of the weekeend with highs in the low 100’s during the day.

I wasn’t real happy with what I turned out, it seemed like the raw product wasn’t real good to begin with. Guess that shows what I know! The judges liked it, and the Swamp Boys earned their 4th qualifier towards the Jack Daniel’s Lucky 7. It’s gonna be real tough to get there at this point, but I’ll sure give it a try! Thanks to Elba for all the hospitality 🙂

Ranked 3rd in the National BBQ Rankings, 4th in FBA TOTY

 Posted by at 6:26 pm