This past weekend we went to another BBQ cookoff. This one was in Bastrop TX, which is about 20 min past the Austin Airport. This one was a bit larger than the last one, but once again I was a judge for ribs. I was a semi final judge, not a final judge this time, however I think that the food was better over all.
I also want to point out that while these things are a lot of fun, they are usually put on to raise money for charity. This one raised money for the local Children’s Advocacy Center. What could be better than eating good BBQ and helping out kids in need at the same time?
Our friends were short handed because this was also opening day of deer season. (At least I think it’s deer season, I”m not a hunter.) They asked if I would like to help out. After agreeing I learned that the guy off hunting was “The Cleanup Guy.’ I didn’t mind, I figured it was the least I could do for all of the food and fun they were providing to me and my family.
The team (their name is Texas Que Step) entered brisket, chicken and ribs. This cook off also had a Margarita contest the night before that they entered as well. They were feeling quite confident after their 8th place finish in a national cook off two weeks before. However, it’s been said that those who the gods would destroy they first make proud. When it came time to announce the winners the Texas Que Step team was shut out. They didn’t place on any of their entries.
As they headed back to the RV to lick their wounds (and margarita glasses) I heard one mention that maybe this was a good learning experience. That they had grown too confident and needed to focus some more. While they were disappointed with the loss, they still know that a bad weekend of BBQ is still a damn good time. As for me, I learned that cleaning a smoker is dirty business. However, there is something comforting about doing a job that produces immediate results. Not to mention that the pay is great., we left with several meals worth of brisket and BBQ chicken
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