Alabama Comp Help, Joining Someone's Team (Maybe!)


 
RCBaughn

RCBaughn

TVWBB Super Fan
Hey guys, it has been a while since I've had time to cruise the forum and talk to you guys really due to unforeseen things coming up, but I was hoping that some guys in Alabama could point me toward some events that would be good to enter as a novice competitor, or backyard as some comps call it.

I really would like to see what my meat could do stacked up against other guys, and think it would be a great way to find out what I'm doing right, wrong, and otherwise and have some damn good fun doing it along the way.

I'm hoping to find some comps around central Alabama really, I live in Birmingham and hauling my stuff in my Jeep gets expensive when it's a long ways off. 8" of lift and 35" Bogger tires do a lot to the fuel mileage sadly (8-9 mpg), but I guess it looks cool and does a good job on the rocks.

Hoping to find some that the entry fee isn't extremely high too. I've seen some comps in other states that state their entry fee as something around $250, and that is just way outside my budget really unless they are providing the meat and stuff to the competitors as I've seen some do.

But anywho, maybe this has been discussed before and there is a good resource for finding comps around your specific area, but maybe someone can direct me to some good stuff and maybe I could even meet up with some of you guys and hang out. I'd be willing to tag along with a team as well if you needed someone to help setup and such. Seeing and working with someone who has done it before would probably be a good idea before I jump out on my own at a comp.

Thanks so much though guys, and I look forward to hopefully hearing that there is a comp around here that is within reach! -Cory
 
These are the AL events from the KCBS events page:

12/06/13 to 12/07/13
Christmas on the River State Championship Demopolis, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: David Anderson cotrbbq2013@gmail.com
KCBS Reps: RANDY G BIGLER, CAROL BIGLER

10/11/13 to 10/12/13
Cullman Oktoberfest BBQ Challenge Cullman, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: Michael Howell Phone: 256-348-9590. mhowell@cullmanbamachapter.com
KCBS Reps: RICHARD C PRESTON, MARK HAGGITT

09/27/13 to 09/28/13
Portober Que Dothan, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: Kerry Ferrell Phone: 334-699-1475. kerry@themaineventweb.com
KCBS Reps: RANDY G BIGLER, CAROL BIGLER

09/13/13 to 09/14/13
Decatur Jaycees 19th Annual Riverfest Decatur, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: Ken Hess Phone: 813-431-9928. hessken@hotmail.com
KCBS Reps: CAROLYN WELLS, TANA SHUPE, MARK HAGGITT, LINDA GOULD, RON CATO

05/17/13 to 05/18/13
Cotton Pickin' BBQ Cook-Off Hartselle, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: Susan Hines Phone: 256-773-4370. susan@hartsellechamber.com
KCBS Reps: RANDY G BIGLER, CAROL BIGLER

05/03/13 to 05/04/13
The Whistle Stop Festival & Rocket City BBQ Huntsville, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: Whitney Heaps Phone: 256-564-8116. whitney.heaps@huntsvilleal.gov
KCBS Reps: RON CATO, RANDY G BIGLER, CAROL BIGLER

04/12/13 to 04/13/13
Smoke on the Falls Gadsden, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: Janet Tarrance Phone: 256-549-4663. jtarrance@cityofgadsden.com
KCBS Reps: TANA SHUPE, RICHARD C PRESTON
Prize Money: $9000.00

03/08/13 to 03/09/13
BBQ Championship & Hog Wild Festival Mobile, AL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Contact: Glenn Harger Phone: 251-479-4900. gharger1947@aol.com
KCBS Reps: WAYNE LOHMAN, WILLIAM GAGE, DEBRA GAGE, PHILLIP BRAZIER, KATHY BRAZIER
Prize Money: $12325.00
 
Thanks again Dwain, being a judge would be awesome I bet. Not sure if I would be great at that though, I have had a hard time finding a barbeque that I don't like as long as it ain't sickening sweet or overly spicy.

Be nice to find a good comp that is solely for novice or backyard weekend warriors that doesn't lay a whole lot out on the line, even as far as the prize money would go and the entry fees. More for fun and less for competition, but I guess that isn't the point of the events in the first place.
 
Being that you're from B'ham, Sloss's Stokin the Fire held in late Aug (look for info on the Sloss website) might be something you'd be interested in. It's a backyard only event ribs, chicken & maybe a people's choice butt. I've competed in it for the first 2-3 years but have judged it since. I may go back to competing in it this year as well as other contests. As to costs, between meats, fees, travel, canopies, tables, smoker, misc needs initial outlay can be from $ to $$$. Google BBQ checklist should give you a few ideas on what you'd need to make your contest easier. Go to BBQ Critic.com for some pic of entries to get some ideas of boxes. Most of all just have fun & go into it worst or first & you'll do well - our first contest (Stokin's first year) we took that attitude & came in 3rd overall w/ 2 ECB vs those w/ $$$$ smokers.

I would suggest to at least go to one as a spectator first & just walk around & talk to some of the teams. Try to go by on a Fri after setup or Sat after noon-1pm as before that, they'll be working on turnins.

If you're interested, I might be willing to join forces as my regular teammate hasn't been able to get out due to family. I'd be interested in pro side more that backyard but haven't done pro yet as I've been working on my entries/saving up for new smoker so I'd be eligible for Stokin. PM me & we'll discuss & maybe work towards Stokin??
 
Jeff that sounds great and I would love to be on your team. Would it just be me and you, or are there others that would be on the team. No doubt, I would be your sous chef and you'd be the head chef there. I would love to learn from you about the competition circuit, and I can't think of anyone better than someone who has actually judged and competed in the actual comp.

Also, if it worked out to where your other teammate ended up being able to assist you I would gladly bow out and possibly show up as an extra third hand if that is allowed, and if not I'll gladly just come to the event and visit the table and wish you guys good luck and maybe get a sampling! I love the Sloss Furnace area, such a cool place to go and I can only imagine how cool a BBQ event would be there.

Thanks so much for the response though man, maybe it can work out somehow and I can get some learning under my belt for the future.
 
Yes it would be just you & I unless my regular teammate gets back in but w/ 2 kids in school & a wife that's unfortunately not likely soon. You're welcome to stop by at Stokin in Aug & I can show you the ropes then. I would suggest to walk around a event like Whistlestop contest in Huntsville in May (2nd post) as they've a good backyard side w/ many teams as well as pro side not to mention they normally will have A list entertainment. We can talk about Stokin closer in the summer
 
I'll be going to Whistlestop for sure then and if you head that way let me know. And sounds great, I'll be staying in touch on Stokin. You got be all kinds of excited about this summer and fall no doubt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top