July 11, 2008 Hello BBQ Gang! Buckle your seatbelts folks, here's what's going on in the world of the Illinois BBQ Society... ~ The Battle for Bullet Smoker Supremacy: Presented by The Backyard Barbecue Store ~ CancerSucksChicago.com Recognized by Northwestern University ~ Calling All KCBS Contest Organizers... ~ McHenry County Fair BBQ Cook-Off ~ 4th Annual Pork Cook-Off Showdown ~ Kewanee, Illinois ~ The Rib Rubber's Report by Peter Cravath ~ Green City Market Chefs’ BBQ Festival ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS Contests... ~ Free Contest Entries Available... ~ Upcoming Classes... For additional information on these stories, and more, be sure to visit the Illinois BBQ Society online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x This eNewsletter brought to you by: The BBQ Throwdown & Jam - Salem, Illinois Evolution happens. In 2006 the Southern Illinois Bluegrass & BBQ Festival featured a first year Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned contest. 15 teams met to make this historic event a State Championship Contest. Fun was had by all. In 2007 the Illinois BBQ Society played a bigger role in teaming with KCBS to help this contest grow to a whopping 50 teams, and although two of the teams chickened out after making it this far, this contest drew some of the best new teams and most well known names in the barbeque world. Even more fun was had by all. 2008 has arrived and September 12th - 13th is promising a BBQ Throwdown & Jam to rival the best of the best that Salem, Illinois has ever offered! Yes, it still holds the "State Championship" status; Yes, it will be one of the first Qualifiers for the 2009 Jack Daniel's World BBQ Championship Invitational; Yes, it is a qualifier for the world renowned American Royal Barbecue! For additional information, visit their website at www.TheBBQThrowdown.com x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x The Battle for Bullet Smoker Supremacy  Presented by The Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette, Illinois Members of the Illinois BBQ Society will be having a knock-down, drag-out battle between the well established heavyweight champion 'bullet' smoker, the Weber Smokey Mountain and the underdog challenger, the ProQ Excel 20 at the upcoming Holy Smoke Backyard BBQ Cook-Off on August 9th in Alma, Illinois. The beautiful Orchard View Winery will be the battle grounds for both the amateur barbeque contest as well as the this tremendous battle. Months of training has now lead to this moment when many will gather to see if the new kid on the block can beat, or hold it's own against, the proven champion. Come out and be a part of history in the making as these two worthy opponents duke it out for supreme title of... GRAND CHAMPION OF THE BATTLE FOR BULLET SMOKER SUPREMACY! Click to learn more about: The Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette, Illinois @ http://www.BackyardBBQStore.com Holy Smoke Backyard BBQ Cook-Off @ http://www.GoSalem.com/holysmoke Orchard View Winery in Alma, Illinois @ http://www.OrchardViewWinery.com For additional information, visit http://www.ILBBQS.com *************************************** CancerSucksChicago.com Recognized by Northwestern University Posted on The BBQ Forum by Scottie Johnson I just got an email from Northwestern University. For those that know me, know that I raise money for cancer research in memory of my wife Corliss who passed away 5 1/2 years ago from Colon Cancer. Northwestern is where Corliss was treated and this is where I make major donations to every year. They have decided to add our little foundation to their big website. They also got one of my original Cancer Sucks! banners in one of the pictures. For a little history for those that don't know me, Corliss wore a Cancer Sucks! button, which is where I got my name for my little BBQ team... Sometimes it's just the simple things in life that just humble the crap out of you. This really makes me feel like I have done good. I only wanted to carry on my wife's name for my little girls to remember who their mommy was. Thank you for letting me speak. As I am very proud of the success that we have had to try and find a cure for cancer. Scottie CancerSucksChicago.com P.S. Thanks to our good friend WooDoggies for this picture. It's one of our favorites... Thanks John. ;-) For additional information, visit Northwestern University's website for the upcoming 6th Annual Corliss Johnson Memorial Golf Outing . *************************************** Calling All KCBS Contest Organizers... We want to help promote your contest to the fullest potential! ILBBQS is putting together a prize pool of Free Passes/Certificates for KCBS Sanctioned contests in, and around, the state of Illinois. The idea is to exchange certificates with other contests for a little cross-promotion and extra exposure for your contest. This was done, and well received, at the 2008 King City BBQ Showdown in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where both The Elk Grove Rotary Ribfest and The BBQ Throwdown & Jam donated Free Passes/Certificates. Troy Heitmeyer, organizer of the King City BBQ Showdown, in return donated a free pass for his popular contest. The certificates were given away at the awards ceremony (where the barbeque crowds are the most abundant and most attentive) to the Top 3 Overall Teams...the giveaway was very well received as the winning teams were most appreciative of the gesture! A couple of creative ideas that have been tossed around for giving away the certificates include boosting the prize pot of a contest by: 1. Offering your certificate as an additional reward for Top Overall Finishers. 2. Having a raffle type of drawing for the certificates where the only eligible teams for the drawing must be KCBS and ILBBQS members. 3. Awarding the certificates to those teams who take part in a 'sponsored' event. These are just a few of the countless possibilities for giving away your certificate and generating extra exposure and excitement for your contest. Each contest organizer will certainly have creative ideas for generating the most amount of exposure for both themselves and for your contest. A few of the contests that are already taking part in this cross-promotion include: Red, White & Bar-B-Q (Westmont), Elk Grove Rotary Ribfest (Elk Grove), King City BBQ Showdown (Mt. Vernon), and The BBQ Throwdown & Jam (Salem). All contests who participate in this cross-promotion will be listed (with links) on the Free Contest Entries page at www.ILBBQS.com/freepass. If you would like to gain extra exposure for your contest by donating a free entry please let us know as soon as possible. This contest season is about half over and we want to get as much exposure for your contest as possible...whether your contest has yet to happen in 2008, or will be coming back around in 2009, we want to help! As always, please send any questions, comments, suggestions, or ideas to bbq@ilbbqs.com *************************************** McHenry County Fair BBQ Cook-Off Please join us on Sunday, August 3rd, for the third annual McHenry County Fair BBQ Cookoff. So far, we have an estimated prize cache of $300 and expect the coffers to grow. $200 cash guaranteed to adult class grand prizewinner. To qualify for the adult-class grand prize, participants must compete in all three events. We also invite children 9 –18 to participate in a junior-class competition. Adult Class events include: Pork, Poultry, and Beef. Junior class includes: Hamburger, Chicken Leg, and Sausage. We follow Illinois State Fair judging tables for the junior division and desire to follow KCBS rules for the adults. Gate opens at 8:30 on the day of event. Entry deadline is July 31. Planners have expressed a need for a few qualified, preferably KCBS certified, judges and table captains. Please contact John Morrison: 847.452.7749 or internationalmoves45@yahoo.com. Entry forms and contest info can be found @ http://mchenrycountyfair.com/Book/entCookoff.pdf *************************************** 4th Annual Pork Cook-Off Showdown ~ Kewanee, Illinois Remember how much fun summer used to be? Well then come to Kewanee Hog Days... Because The Good Old Days...Are Still Here! It won’t be long before the Kewanee Hog Festival days will be here and we will be having our 4th annual Pork Cook-off Showdown on Sunday, August 31st which will be during the Hog Festival this year. The cook-off will be located in the Peoples Bank parking lot, right downtown Kewanee, Illinois! This year our sponsor for the cook-off will be Kewanee’s Save-A-Lot grocery store, which we are very excited about!!!! We will have three different categories…Ribs, Roast and Miscellaneous, which can be anything you like as long as it includes pork and is cooked on site. You can enter as a team or individual. Entry forms and rules are posted on our website at www.kewaneehogdays.com. We are also registered with the ILBBQ Society on their website at www.ILBBQS.com. Prize money of $250 will be given to the winner for each category. 2nd and 3rd place will receive a trophy, cook-off apron and winning certificate. We will have an over all winner that will receive our traveling trophy. We will also be selling raffle tickets for a 50/50 drawing. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Winning ticket will be drawn around 4:00 p.m. at the Cook-off. Winner need not be present. Tickets may be purchased from the Kewanee Hog Festival members or at the Henry County Farm Bureau®. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, you can call Janie Metscaviz at 309.856.6160 or send an e-mail at mtscvz@yahoo.com . *************************************** The Rib Rubber's Report by Peter Cravath 9 Indispensable Items Every BBQ'er Should Have 1. Thermometer with remote probe I don't know how I cooked without it before. 2. Chimney starter or torch Nobody wants cold-smoked foods.  Great for getting back in your game. 3. Pain reliever For those special moments when you've realized you've had too much fun, or after discovering that your food has been cold-smoked. 4. Hat. Keeping your cool should be near the top. 5. Change of underwear and socks Lets just say; you know when need them replaced.  Have some ready. 6. A good attitude (see note under "hat") 7.Cell phone The catch-all reason we got them to begin with; "for emergencies" 8. Good sense of smell It'll tell you what’s right, and also tell you what’s wrong. 9. Well kept secrets Blabbing by you and your teammates is the number one reason for the homogenizing of flavors in our sport.  Keep the anchovy BBQ sauce or wet rub ingredients well under wraps. The number two reason is by dusting just a hint of that new hickory favored bacon salt on your ribs at the last minute; right before layering them into the turn-in container. Packs a heck of a punch. *************************************** Green City Market Chefs’ BBQ Festival on Thursday, July 17th will feature over 50 of Chicago’s top chefs preparing tastings for hungry festival goers. Attendees will also be able to sample different beers and wines. The event is from 6-8p, and will be held at the south end of Lincoln Park (between 1750 N. Clark and Stoughton Drive). All proceeds will benefit Green City Market. Tickets, which are $50 for adults and $10 for children, can be purchased by clicking here! *************************************** Upcoming 2008 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ July 12, 2008 - Prince Pig Cook-Off ~ Two Rivers BBQ Association Contest, Contact: Peter Wright, 1243 West Washington, Pittsfield, IL 62363 ~ Phone: 217-285-4076 or 217-248-3638 ~ E-mail: wrightplace@casscomm.com ~ August 9, 2008 - Holy Smoke Backyard BBQ Cook-Off, Contact: Jim Reincke, PO Box 924, Salem, IL 62881, Phone: 618-407-3300 ~ E-mail: rhino@banditbbq.com ~ This 2nd year event will be at the scenic Orchard View Winery! ~ August 31, 2008 - Kewanee Hog Days - Contact: Janie Metscaviz - Phone: 309-856-6160 - E-mail: mtscvz@yahoo.com ~ September 13, 2008 - Beardstown, Illinois Cook-Off ~ Two Rivers BBQ Association Contest, Contact: Kyle, E-mail: kylemax2@casscomm.com ~ September 20, 2008 - Griggsville, Illinois Cook-Off ~ Two Rivers BBQ Association Contest, E-mail: cgengler1@hotmail.com ~ October 5, 2008 - Maschhoff Family Pork Farm's Post Oak Pig Roast - 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. *************************************** Upcoming 2008 KCBS Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ 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 5-6, 2008 ~ Smoke On The Water - Contact: Tim Muehring, 3206 Rutledge Place, Quincy, IL 62301 - Phone: 217-221-5675 - Fax: 217-221-5933 ~ Email: tim@midwestgrocer.com ~ September 5-6, 2008 ~ Wabash Ribberfest Barbecue Contest - Contact: Colette Grigsby, PO Box 614, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863 - Phone: 618-262-6822 - Fax: 618-262-4339 ~ Email: gcysmith@shawneelink.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 ~ September 19-20, 2008 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902 ~ Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: catering17@egyptian.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 ~ October 10-11, 2008 - Super City Blues & Ques, Contact: Priscilla Abell, 106 W. 5th Street, Metropolis, IL 62960, Phone: 618-524-1696 Fax: 618-524-2582, Email: metropolisparks@verizon.net ~ 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 *************************************** 2008 Free Pass Contest Entries (See http://www.ILBBQS.com/freepass for additional information.) Elk Grove Pass Given at Des Plaines, Illinois Elk Grove Pass Given at Westmont, Illinois Salem Pass Given at Mt. Vernon, Illinois Salem Pass Given at Alma, Illinois Carbondale Pass Given at TBA *************************************** 2009 Free Pass Contest Entries (See http://www.ILBBQS.com/freepass for additional information.) Westmont Pass Given at Salem, Illinois Elk Grove Pass Given at Taylorville, Illinois 2008 Elk Grove Pass Given at Mt. Vernon, Illinois 2008 Elk Grove Pass Given at Salem, Illinois 2008 Mt. Vernon Pass Given at Salem, Illinois 2008 Salem Pass Given at Elk Grove, Illinois 2009 *************************************** Upcoming Certified BBQ Judge's and Certified Table Captain's Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ None Scheduled (That we know of...if you know of an upcoming class, let us know!) *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ None Scheduled (That we know of...if you know of an upcoming class, let us know!) *************************************** These stories, and more, can be found online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . Most of the stories online have active links for ease of finding more information...be sure to visit the website for your full ILBBQS experience! 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! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino