Happy New Year BBQ Gang...Officially! Here's what's going on in the world of the Illinois BBQ Society for the first eNewsletter of 2008... ~ 2008 Winter Burn-Off...Mark Your Calendars... ~ Chris Marks (Three Little Pigs BBQ) Joins Forces with Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties... ~ eNewsletter Reader's Question... ~ Upcoming Contests… ~ Upcoming Classes… x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x This eNewsletter brought to you by: Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties ~ http://www.AceOfHeartsBBQ.com Home of The Good-One line of Smokers and Grills Watch for their cooking classes, coming to Illinois, featuring 8 time American Royal Champion Chris Marks of Three Little Pigs BBQ! x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x 2008 Winter Burn-Off...Mark Your Calendars The date is finally set. The 2008 Winter Burn-Off, in Des Plaines, is going to happen on Sunday, February 10th at the River Rand Bowling Alley. They had 18 teams last year, already have their Illinois Proclamation from the Governor, and will be shooting to make this fun contest a Jack Daniels Invitational Qualifier. According to contest organizer Keith Engstrom (KRE Smokers), they are looking for certified judges and will again be using this cook friendly contest as a fundraiser for Albinism. "So bowling, beer and cooking what more could anyone want?" - Keith Engstrom To sign up for this contest (cooks and/or judges) contact Keith at rekengstr@ameritech.net . *************************************** Chris Marks (Three Little Pigs BBQ) Joins Forces with Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties Familiar player; brand new move. Eight time American Royal Grand Champion, Chris Marks of Three Little Pigs BBQ, has taken his expertise beyond the realms of his successful restaurant, contest showings, and professional IT business; he now hangs his full-time hat with Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties out of Topeka, Kansas. Ace of Hearts' sponsorship of the Illinois BBQ Society has proven to be successful for both the Kansas based business and our membership. Seeking to build market strength in Illinois, be on the lookout for cooking classes with this award winning BBQ-meister, to start springing up in Illinois, as Chris and the ILBBQS strengthen ties to help 'Unite BBQ Enthusiasts in Search of Excellent 'Que'. *************************************** eNewsletter Reader's Question... Q: "I wonder if you can give some fire-starting tips." - Laurie L. A: Fire Starting Tips, eh? I use a charcoal chimney to light my coals for both the smoker and the grill. Fill it up, place 2 sheets of crumbled newspaper (not too tightly crumbled) under the coals and light. Usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes for the coals to be ready for use. This technique works well without the smell/flavor of lighter fluid assaulting the charcoal. Though I have begun using a 'cheat' method in the last year that cuts the time down considerably...fill the charcoal chimney, place over outdoor propane burner and ignite...takes around 10 minutes to get the coals where I want them. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions! *************************************** Upcoming 2008 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ May 2-3, 2008 - Southwestern Illinois Spring Festival - Contact: Shane Swartzlander - Phone: (618) 533-5703 ~ Fax: - E-mail: 2chubby@sbcglobal.net *THIS CONTEST IS PENDING KCBS SANCTIONING* ~ October 10-11, 2008 - Central Illinois Bragging Rights - Contact: George Fritz, 136 S. Vine Street, Arthur, IL 61911 - Phone: 217-543-2181 - E-mail: bbq@arthuril.com *THIS CONTEST IS PENDING KCBS SANCTIONING* ~ October 12, 2008 - TENATIVE - Maschhoff's Pork Farm Backyard BBQ Cook-Off - Contact: Julie Maschhoff, 7475 State Route 127, Carlyle, IL 62231 - Phone: 618-594-2125 - E-mail: juliem@pigsrus.net ~ October - Barn Burner BBQ @ Lamb's Farm - Contact: Claudia Stevens, 14245 W. Rockland Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Phone: 847-990-3750 ~ Fax: 847-362-0742 - E-mail: crs@lambsfarm.org *THIS CONTEST IS PENDING KCBS SANCTIONING* *************************************** Upcoming 2008 KCBS Contests... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ May 9-10, 2008 - Dust Off Your Grill Backyard BBQ Cook-Off - Contact: Patty Peterson, 1000 Health Center Drive, Mattoon, IL 61938. - Phone: 217-258-2424 ~ Fax: 217-258-4135. - E-mail: ppeterson@sblhs.org ~ May 16-17, 2008 - The Randolph County Pig Party - Contact: Jason Vallett, 402 E. Broadway, Steeleville, IL 62288. - Phone: 618-965-3414 ~ Fax: 618-965-3177 - Email: jason@gregvallettautosales.com ~ June 13-14, 2008 - King City BBQ Showdown - Contact: Troy Heitmeyer, 104 N. 9th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 - Phone: 618-242-4020 x 15 ~ Fax: 618-242-3383 - E-mail: troy@cmacsoft.com ~ June 13-14, 2008 - Elk Grove Rotary Ribfest - Contact: Ron Nunes, 701 E. Irving Park Rd, Ste. 200, Roselle, IL 60172 - Phone: 630-307-8744 ~ Fax: 630-307-8755 - E-mail: rnunes9457@aol.com ~ July 11-12, 2008 - Illinois State Championship & Butt to Butt Pork Invitational - Contact: Connie Smith, 301 E. Sunrise Drive, Shannon, IL 61078 - Phone: 816-864-2542 ~ Fax: 815-864-2825 - E-mail: rrribs@frontiernet.net ~ September 12-13, 2008 - Southern Illinois Bluegrass & BBQ Festival - Contact: Rick Russ, TourSalem.com, 101 South Main Street, Salem, IL 62881 - Phone: 618-548-7752 ~ Fax: 618-548-5330 - E-mail: fun@bluegrassbbq.com ~ September 19-20, 2008 - - Carbondale Main Street Pig Out - Contact: Meghan Cole, 121 S. Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, IL 62901 - Phone: 618-529-8040 ~ Fax: 618-529-8041 - E-mail: info@carbondalemainstreet.com *************************************** Upcoming KCBS Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Certified Table Captain’s Class: Chicago/Elk Grove Village, Illinois - 01/11/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.elkgroverotary.com - Contact Information: Ron Nunes ~ Phone: 630-440-3045 ~ rnunes9457@aol.com. ~ Certified BBQ Judging Class: Chicago/Elk Grove Village, Illinois - 01/12/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.elkgroverotary.com - Contact Information: Ron Nunes ~ Phone: 630-440-3045 ~ rnunes9457@aol.com. ~ Certified Table Captain’s Class: Arthur, Illinois - 03/07/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.CIBR-BBQ.com - Contact Information: George Fritz ~ Phone: 217-543-2181 ~ bbq@arthuril.com ~ Certified BBQ Judging Class: Arthur, Illinois - 03/08/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.CIBR-BBQ.com - Contact Information: George Fritz ~ Phone: 217-543-2181 ~ bbq@arthuril.com ~ Certified Table Captain’s Class: Mount Vernon, Illinois - 04/18/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.SouthernIllinois.com - Contact Information: Troy Heitmeyer ~ Phone: 618-242-4020 x 15 ~ troy@cmacsoft.com ~ Certified BBQ Judging Class: Mount Vernon, Illinois - 04/19/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.SouthernIllinois.com - Contact Information: Troy Heitmeyer ~ Phone: 618-242-4020 x 15 ~ troy@cmacsoft.com *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Shannon, Illinois - 4/4/08 thru 4/5/08 - Old School vs. High Tech BBQ Cooking Class - Instructors: Johnny Trigg & Rod Gray Location: Eastland Middle School ~ 601 Chestnut Street ~ Contact Information: Rod Gray ~ rod@pelletenvy.com *************************************** If you have a BBQ related news item you would like to share with the group, be sure to send it in! There is an easy-to-use 'Submit News' button on our website at http://www.ILBBQS.com ...use it often! As always, if you have any pictures, stories, news items, comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, let me know! Well folks, that's gonna do it for this year's news and updates. I hope you have a most wonderful, and safe, New Year! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of you down the BBQ trail of 2008! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino