River City Rager

This past weekend Big T'z decided it would be best to get back in to the swing of things and attended the Ak Sar Ben's River City Roundup competition held at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska. This was also the maiden voyage of the Hobbi Toy Hauler we bought off of our friend Ray Ringgenberg, aka BBQ Mayor. Given that Sonya or I have never towed anything and know absolutely nothing about campers, this was the beginning of a new adventure for us one that we have met with both excitement and trepidation.

This event is organized by fellow BBQ Brethren Tom and Char Manhart, and boy did they roll out the red carpet for the cooks! Knowing myself well enough to know that there was no way I could back in a huge camper in to a 20'x30' spot, I left home early hoping to get there before any of my neighbors. Unfortunately I did not take in to account how much longer it would take me to get there due to the huge chunk of fiberglass and metal I was hauling so I got there an hour later than normal and most of my neighbors had already arrived. Within seconds Tom was there in his golf cart to help me in to my spot. Even with the help though I quickly had messed things up so bad I needed an extra hand. Fortunately Mike from Spank and the Meat Mafia was close by to take over. Seeing the look of complete fear and embarrassment on my face with barely a word he hopped in my Suburban and whipped it in to what at the time seemed like a cigar box of a spot. Thanks Mike!! In addition to helping me to my spot, Tom and Char were by my spot what seemed like every twenty minutes. I felt bad I wasn't making trash fast enough for them to haul away.

I signed up to do the People's Choice because 1) It was for charity and 2) I like getting the public more involved in the cooking process, by serving them tasty morsels of my wares in my mind competition bbq becomes more of a spectator sport. That started at 6 pm on Friday. Since the rest of the Cru wasn't going to be there until 9, I was all by myself serving up samples to a hungry crowd. It was a lot of work, but I really enjoyed it. It is always fun to hear "Daaaayyumm that is some good bbq!" from a complete stranger!

It rained Friday night, so it was a blessing to have the camper to stay warm and dry. We definitely got the best night's sleep of any competition I have been to, so whatever worries I or Cru may had about getting camper were completely thrown out the window that night.

I also thought it would be a good idea to cook sausage for this competition. The turn-in for sausage was at 11, while everything else started at noon, so I had to quickly draw up a whole new game plan to make sure everything went according to plan.

Even though things were tight due to the sausage competition we still found time to do not one, but two good luck shots. The first was an "Iowa teams only" shot hosted by Buster Dog BBQ (who just so happened to get their first GC the weekend before in Marshall, MN)at 9:30, and the second was hosted by Four Legs Up BBQ (who just so happens to be the reigning Jack Daniels World Champion) at 11:30. Thanks to both teams for their hospitality.

Whatever good luck we earned from doing those shots did something to help as Big T'z Q Cru walked away on Saturday with their second Reserve Grand Championship of the year. Additionally, we placed 9th in Chicken, 4th in Pork and 1st in Brisket out of 46 teams.

The great part about doing so well was that whenever our name was called we got to go up and get a picture taken with the Rodeo Queens. They also gave great trophies! For reserve grand we received a real-life branding iron. I am still trying to figure out if there is a way I can put it to good use, but for some reason whever I pick it up my cat runs and hides.

It was also great because of how they called the top ten overall team and the result of that. First they randomly called all ten to come up in front. They then started at ten and each team was called until there were just the top two--Big T'z Q Cru and Iowa Outlaws BBQ. The Outlaws and captain Kyle have had their camp by us a couple of times this season, so we have got to know them fairly well. Most people might know them because they have the cleanest and classiest trailer/set up of perhaps any team on the circuit. I have also got to know Kyle well enough to know that he is a great guy and loves bbq and competing. In addition they are a fellow Iowa team and us Iowans stick together! Anyway, we got a front row seat to watch Kyle and his priceless reaction when he realized his team had just won their first Grand Championship! It was a moment Sonya and I will never forget. Congratulations to Iowa Outlaws BBQ for their great win!

This next weekend we head down to the "World Series of BBQ"--the American Royal for the biggest BBQ bash this team has ever experienced. There will be over 120 teams cooking in the Invitational(teams that have won a Gran Championship) and over 500 teams competing in the Open competition. Hope to see any and all of you down south!