I competed at a comp this weekend. I think my Yoder 1320 has a board malfunction and will be taking it back to the factory for a retrofit. The temps were all over the place. I am talking 40-60 degree swings. I am not a happy camper right now! Despite what I thought was an absolute HORRIBLE cook. I was very close to just chucking it or dropping back to punt. My good friend and one my mentors has always told me: "You always turn in, no matter what, because you never know!". I kept repeating that to myself. My ribs ended up slightly overcooked, all right, overcooked period. Hearing Steve's voice in my head, I walked to the turn in and hoped for the best. That best turned out to be a 3rd place and $40.00 pay back. One judge willing to talk to me told that they felt the comments were they were the best tasting.. but slightly over cooked. If I had turned them in cooked as good as last weekend, I very well may have seen 1st place. They loved my flavor profile. The other meats... brisket: appearance 1-9's and 6-8's. Taste: 1-9 and 5-8's. Tenderness: 2- 9's, 1-8 and 3- 7's. Pork: Appear. 4- 7's, 1-8 and 1-6. Taste: 2-7's, 3-8's and 1-9. Tenderness: 3- 8's, 2-7's, -1-9. The fun part....Steve took a listen from Pitmasters and threw in a "mystery" meat. He did not give out that meat until all teams were there. Turned out to be a package of Hot Dogs. What to do with a pack of hot dogs? I smoked the dogs then made some hot dog gumbo. Dog, noodles, peas, carrots, onions, garlic, milk and viola.... hot dog gumbo! The public that tried it loved it. My appear. scores 4-7's. 1-6 and 1-8. Taste: 2-9's, 3-7's and 1-8. Tender: 4-7's, 1-9, 1-8. How you tell tenderness on a hot dog gumbo??? It was a fun twist to the event. The winners: brined hot dog in brown sugar syrup, wrapped in bacon and smoked. It was interesting to see what some teams did. It was a great comp.
Oh, did I mention that there were 12 teams and 10 of those were cooking a the American Royal last weekend. I feel very humbled, very blessed and most of all very surprised!!! I gotta find me some BBQ team members to help though. These cooks by yourself are just way too much work!!
