Rip
New member
It's just before noon on Friday. A glorious sunny fall day with temps in the 70's is well underway and I've just parked right in front of the entrance to the largest BBQ competition in the world. Within three hours you won't be able to park anywhere near this place.
There're 140 teams are participating in the Invitational, over 500 teams are entered into the Open. (most Invitational teams compete in the Open too). That's a lot of teams!
While a lot of the teams arrived yesterday, there's still plenty of teams arriving and setup work going on, the entire grounds are a beehive of activity.
I find the Smoke On Wheels site, nobody's home...no problem, according to the map the BPS team is a short distance a way. Sterling greets me as I enter the BPS site and moments later I'm relaxing with a beer (Newcastle brown ale) and shooting the breeze with the team. The Godfather emerges from the adjacent trailer and is almost instantly beset with folks requesting a photo op, (this scene is repeated just about every time Johnny Trigg is visible to the public). Johnny and his wife join us and shortly thereafter the guys from Memphis Grills join in too.
Brad, Joe, and the 1-Stars.
Earlier I had texted Andy to let him know I had arrived and was at BPS, he had replied they were out getting parsley for themselves and a few other teams and would be back shortly. I head back to SOW and Andy is busy getting ready to trim the big meats.
Here Andy is talking to Todd Johns (on the right)...yeah that Todd, ever use Plowboy's rubs? (highly recommended!)
With two competitions, it's a busy weekend, here's the Cook's Schedule.
Andy preps his briskets.
I stick around long enough to steal his trimming secrets and then step out for a cold one. The SOW site is just east of Kemper Arena. The BPS site is two rows to the west.
The American Royal BBQ comp is held in the heart of KC's historic West Bottoms district. This was once the center of the meat packing industry.
Yeah, I have a competitor wrist band (how cool is that?)
Andy and Kim are just storing these for others, honest!
Back inside some friends from Texas are picking Andy's brain for tips on chicken.
Lots more to follow...soon I hope!
There're 140 teams are participating in the Invitational, over 500 teams are entered into the Open. (most Invitational teams compete in the Open too). That's a lot of teams!
While a lot of the teams arrived yesterday, there's still plenty of teams arriving and setup work going on, the entire grounds are a beehive of activity.
I find the Smoke On Wheels site, nobody's home...no problem, according to the map the BPS team is a short distance a way. Sterling greets me as I enter the BPS site and moments later I'm relaxing with a beer (Newcastle brown ale) and shooting the breeze with the team. The Godfather emerges from the adjacent trailer and is almost instantly beset with folks requesting a photo op, (this scene is repeated just about every time Johnny Trigg is visible to the public). Johnny and his wife join us and shortly thereafter the guys from Memphis Grills join in too.
Brad, Joe, and the 1-Stars.
Earlier I had texted Andy to let him know I had arrived and was at BPS, he had replied they were out getting parsley for themselves and a few other teams and would be back shortly. I head back to SOW and Andy is busy getting ready to trim the big meats.
Here Andy is talking to Todd Johns (on the right)...yeah that Todd, ever use Plowboy's rubs? (highly recommended!)
With two competitions, it's a busy weekend, here's the Cook's Schedule.
Andy preps his briskets.
I stick around long enough to steal his trimming secrets and then step out for a cold one. The SOW site is just east of Kemper Arena. The BPS site is two rows to the west.
The American Royal BBQ comp is held in the heart of KC's historic West Bottoms district. This was once the center of the meat packing industry.
Yeah, I have a competitor wrist band (how cool is that?)
Andy and Kim are just storing these for others, honest!
Back inside some friends from Texas are picking Andy's brain for tips on chicken.
Lots more to follow...soon I hope!