Contest Recap - Amazin' Blazin, Lebanon, Tennessee

Home from the Amazin' Blazin' BBQ Cook-Off and the Wilson County Fair in Lebanon, Tennessee, I have to say that is event is EVERYTHING I was told it would be. For years I've heard that Wanda, Kristina and Mary Ann are the queens of competition barbeque and that is event is one of, if not the, most hospitable, best run events in the country. It's absolutely true.

From the personal attention you receive as soon as you arrive on site, to the Cook's dinner on Thursday evening, the gifts given at the Cook's Meeting and at the awards ceremony, plus the goody bags, ice cream and Saturday breakfast buffet, anyone who wants to see how to run a first class event that caters to barbeque cooks and judges, should attend the Amazin' Blazin' event. One other note, as tired as the ladies all looked, they never quit smiling. It was truly amazing.

I was lucky enough to be placed right at the road, which was used as a pathway for spectators. My site was next to the KCBS road show and across from the Charbroil trailer and Guitar Gus and his horse Shoo. It was totally shaded yet a hot bed of activity. If you've never caught Gus's act, you're missing out. Did I mention how awesome the weather was? Man, from what I hear, I totally lucked out because it's normally very hot that time of year. In fact, the public address system announced a Friday attendance of 38,617, up nearly 10,000 from the previous year.

Pellet Envy finished 3rd overall with three calls, 10th place chicken, 2nd place pork and 5th place brisket. Our ribs finished 28th. It was a tightly contested event as we finished just 2.8 points out of grand. Congratulations to Adam Burnett of Adam's Ribs for winning the event and to John & Kathy Swift of Wild Bunch Butt Burners for finishing the Reserve Grand Champions. Also, congrats to all who got a call.

This week we're headed to the Big Island BBQ event in Albert Lea, Minnesota. It's a first year event. When we talked to the contest organizer, Perry, at Mason City a few weeks back, he had six teams and was very worried about his event. Today Perry told me he has 46 teams and counting. Should be a fun contest. We're looking forward to it.