Hello BBQ Gang! Here's what's going on in the world of the Illinois BBQ Society... ~ BIG NEWS!!! ~ Smokey J's BBQ Contest Anatomy ~ Part 1 of 5 ~ Updated Contest/Events Page ~ 2008 Kick-Off Cookoff Classic Results ~ Certified BBQ Judge's Class Filling Up ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS 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, Grills, and Accessories Watch for their cooking classes, coming to Illinois, featuring 8 time American Royal Champion Chris Marks of Three Little Pigs BBQ! Online: http://www.AceOfHeartsBBQ.com x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x BIG NEWS!!! To all of our esteemed BBQ members, we just wanted to let you all know that as of today, The Illinois BBQ Society has been bought out. This is great news for us as it shows how successful we have become, but sad because we will miss all of the great members and contests we have helped organize. The new owners are are a very large organization called PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). http://www.peta.org They came in with a fantastic offer we just could not refuse and we think they will continue to run the site with the same integrity we have. Due to this ownership change, the new management of this website will now require all current and new members to go through a extensive online course on Fighting for Animal's Rights. http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/learn.asp No longer will this site feature the horror and emotional distress caused by posting pictures of brutally cooking animals over a slow smoked BBQ. Instead, pictures of vegan foods such as salads and vegetables will now be expected. Also, all members will be required to change their signatures to more animal friendly sayings. We really encourage everyone to embrace this new change in ownership and help the new management in continuing the great success we have enjoyed. Thank you all for your past support. We look forward to seeing you in many salad lines in the future. For more info, please visit http://www.ILBBQS.com/AprilFools (Thanks AZBarbeque! www.AZBarbeque.com) *************************************** Smokey J's BBQ Contest Anatomy ~ Part 1 of 5 By Jason Duhamell, Owner of Smokey J's BBQ - Mattoon, Illinois A KCBS Barbecue Contest Friday night Current mood: adventurous For those of you who know nothing about Competition barbecue this blog is for you, I am going to let you know the behind the scenes of a true KCBS contest as I see it through my eyes, usually contest are on Fridays and Saturdays. You arrive on Friday usually I arrive about noon on Friday depending where the contest is, the 1st thing you have to do find and check in with the contest organizer and get you space assignment, you head to your space and start unloading and setting up your site which takes me a good hour and I don’t travel with much, it takes others a lot longer, during set up the contest organizer come by and checks on you and they inspect you meat the organizer is usually the "Official Meat Inspector" you must show them all the meats you will be cooking for the contest, Brisket, pork, Ribs and Chicken, they are just making sure that you are starting with raw unseasoned meat, that is part of the rules of a KCBS contest. At all KCBS contests the same meats ore cooked Beef Brisket, Pork Shoulder or Butt, Ribs Spares or Baby backs no country style (they must be bone-in) and chicken. After your meat has been inspected you are free to start prepping it. At this point I make sure everything is unloaded and set up, depending on the time I might take a walk around and say hi to my fellow competitors who most of I will know and have cooked with before. There is always a cooks meeting on Friday night that is mandatory to attend they discuss the rules and turn-in times and show the official clock, you will listen to a CD that explains all the KCBS rules most seasoned cooks have heard this 100 times, then they hand you your turn-in boxes with your number on top. Now I am back at the site getting ready for the Friday night special contest if there is one usually it’s a people choice, anything but, side dish or dessert contest that is completely voluntary to do, sometimes I do sometime I don’t depends on the contest. This also the time I start prepping my meat, Brisket gets trimmed and Injected then rubbed with my own barbecue rub, pork butts get rubbed, ribs get trimmed and re-wrapped for tomorrow and I don’t work on Chicken until Saturday, I will continue this blog later we will talk about starting cooking. To follow more of Smokey J's BBQ adventures, or find out more about his catering, contest schedule, check out his MySpace site at http://www.myspace.com/smokeyjsbbq . *************************************** Updated Contest/Events Page If you haven't checked it out recently, be sure to check out the Contest/Events page. Additional information has been added for the MIM/MBA Contests, as well as new info for some of the Non-Sanctioned Events (the ones highlighted in white). While we're at it, please check out and welcome our newest contest member... Kewanee Hog Days Contact: Janie Metscaviz, 306 N. Main St., Kewanee, IL 61443 Phone: 309-856-6160 ~ E-mail: mtscvz@yahoo.com *************************************** 2008 Kick-Off Cookoff Classic Results Results are in from the 37 team 2008 Kick-Off Cookoff Classic in Florissant, Missouri; and the winners are... Grand Champion Blues Hog 635.4284 Reserve Grand Champion Quau 634.8570 3. Munchin' Hogs @ the Hilton 625.7134 4. Rick's Pit Stop 625.1430 5. Boneheads 623.4288 6. Smoke This BBQ 622.2858 7. Church Of Swinetology 622.2854 8. QSS Smokin' 621.7144 9. Ulcer Acres 621.1428 10. Smokey Joel Cubby Bear 620.5712 Chicken 1. Rick's Pit Stop 172.0002 2. Munchin' Hogs @ the Hilton 170.2856 3. Quau 162.8572 4. Blue's Hog 161.7142 5. Big Subpoenas 158.8570 6. Boneheads 158.8570 7. Que's Your Daddy 158.2856 8. QSS Smokin 157.1430 9. Smoke This BBQ 157.1426 10. Brewmasters BBQ 155.996 Ribs 1. Smokey Joel /Cubby Bear 168.5714 2. KRE Smokers 163.9998 3. H*Que 162.2856 4. Brewmasters BBQ 161.7140 5. Ulcer Acres 160.5716 6. Quau 160.5714 7. Big O' Dang O' BBQ 158.8574 8. Viking Q Kings 158.8572 9. 3 Guys and A Grill 157.1428 10. Critter Cooks 156.0002 Pork 1. Blue's Hog 165.1428 2. Two Bro's and a Brit 164.5714 3. KRE Smokers 164.5714 4. Ulcer Acres BBQ 5. Red Grill BBQ 163.4286 6. Rockhopper BBQ 161.7146 7. Smoke This BBQ 160.5718 8. Church of Swinetology 160.5714 9. Rick's Pit Stop 159.4286 10. QSS Smokin' 158.2856 Brisket 1. Quau 162.2858 2. Flower of the Flames 161.7142 3. Ulcer Acres BBQ 157.7140 4. Munchin Hogs @ The Hilton 157.7138 5. Bone Heads BBQ 157.1432 6. Smoke This BBQ 154.8570 7. Two Bro's and a Brit 154.2860 8. Blue's Hog 153.7142 9. BBQ ASAP 152.0000 10. QSS Smokin' 152.0000 Dessert 1. Two Bro's and A Brit 168.0000 2. IQ 163.4286 3. Big O' Dang O' 158.8574 4. Smoke This BBQ 153.130 5. Back Ackwards BBQ 152.5718 6. Pigs Gone Wild 150.2856 7. Arena BBQ 148.5726 8. Church of Swintology 144.5714 9. BBQ ASAP 138.8568 10 Rockstar BBQ 132.5712 The Great Pork Steak Throwdown Challenge 1. Get Outta My Pit 179.4286 2. Quau 175.4284 3. Brewmasters 169.7144 4. Que's Your Daddy 164.5712 5. Flower of the Flames 160.0000 6. Two Bro's and a Brit 159.4284 7. Smoke This BBQ 156.5714 8. 3 Guys and a Grill 155.4288 9. BBQ ASAP 153.7146 10 Lion Bout the Q 153.1434 Congrats to All in the Call! *************************************** Certified BBQ Judge's Class Filling Up Troy Heitmeyer, organizer for the King City BBQ Showdown, has told us that there has been a lot of interest in the CBJ class. Expectations are that it will fill up before the April 19th class time; so if you're on the fence, or have decided to go but have yet to get your application sent in, please do so ASAP. This is the last scheduled CBJ class for the year in Illinois and promises to be another outstanding event. In connection with the CBJ class, Mike Lake will also be putting on a Certified Table Captain's class in Mt. Vernon on April 18th. For information and application to either of these classes, check out the 'BBQ Classes' link at the top of the ILBBQS.com website. *************************************** Upcoming 2008 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ May 24-25, 2008 - Nashville Lion's Club MaiFest - Contact: Rodney Small, Post Office Box 27, Nashville, IL 62263 - Phone: 618-327-3224 Fax: 618-327-8479 - E-mail: drsmall@accessus.net ~ June 14, 2008 - 4th Annual Smokin' in the Park - Contact: Hap & Becky Zook at 309-266-5078 or Jim & Anita Allen at 309-962-9388 - E-mail: bjzook@verizon.net or jaallen@msn.com ~ June 28, 2008 - 2nd Annual Galesburg Railroad Days Jaycees Rib Cook-Off - Contact: Sherry M. Kincaid - E-mail: ribcookoff@galesburgjaycees.org ~ August 31, 2008 - Kewanee Hog Days - Contact: Janie Metscaviz - Phone: 309-856-6160 - E-mail: mtscvz@yahoo.com ~ October 5, 2008 - 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 **NOTE** This contest is only open to 'local' teams...those teams from Marion, Clinton, and Washington Counties in Illinois. ~ October 17-18, 2008 - 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 & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ May 2-3, 2008 - Southwestern Illinois Spring Festival in Wamac, Illinois - Contact: Shane Swartzlander - Phone: (618) 533-5703 ~ Fax: - Online: http://www.gocentralia.com/springfestival - E-mail: 2chubby@sbcglobal.net ~ May 9-10, 2008 - CANCELLED - 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 ~ May 24-25, 2008 - Red, White & Bar-B-Q - Contact: Jim Addington, 337 E. Traube Street, Westmont, IL 60559 - Phone: 630-443-2013 Fax: 630.443-2017 - E-mail: jaddington@ambankqc.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 - The BBQ Throwdown & Jam - Contact: Jim Reincke, PO Box 924, Salem, IL 62881 - Phone: 618-407-3300 ~ E-mail: bbqthrowdown@gosalem.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 ~ 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 *************************************** Upcoming Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ 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