My apologies for publishing Sunday's Blog on Tuesday. To stay on track - we will post this Blog-I-Que preview for this weekend's BBQ Competition on Thursday. Our focus will be on preparing for the competition, some stories of past competitions and some pictures of our past BBQ.
I would like to begin by saying Big Boyz BBQ are still new to the game - as we have only competed in 6 competitions. We, like many BBQ competitors, are amateurs that decided to spend a bit of money - well a good deal of money, to face off against some week in and out competition teams. We were fortunate to be in some great tournaments in the east coast - that brought some great competition. We have learned from, drank with, and competed against some regional and national giants in the BBQ world including Cool Smoke, Jack's Old South, APORKALYPSE NOW, Hot Wachulas, Old Virginia Smoke, Serial Grillers, 3EYZ BBQ, and a couple of teams that really helped us out our first competition ever - Big Bully BBQ and BBQ Nuts. That was the first thing we learned is the BBQ teams all are more than willing to help you out. Sharing recipes, insights, and sanitation tablets (that was a close one.) 
Our first competition came about after a few beers and some splashing around in my pool. Ryan's family and mine were sitting back - eating - probably grilled Pizzas and I saw a flyer in the newspaper. The Washington Post was running a huge advertisement for the Safeway National Capital Barbeque Battle. Ryan and I had been back yard smokers for years - but we said - next year let's do this. This one truly is a pricey competition ($500), but initially they sponsored the meats you would use - 2 Briskets, 2 Shoulders, 3 racks of Ribs and 2 whole chickens. Unfortunately - after Safeway stopped sponsoring it - the free meats disappeared too. But we were hooked. We did another Capital BBQ Battle, as well as a couple of BBQ Jamborees in Fredericksburg, VA and the Beltway BBQ Battle in Maryland.
To pay for these extravagant events - we would have fundraisers in our communities. Friends and family would come over drink beers and donate $10-20 for a plate of Pulled Pork, Brisket, BBQ Beans and Mac N Cheese. The funds would usually pay for the upcoming $250 events or the meats that we would be using. I remember one "professional" BBQ guy mocked us our first year at the Capital BBQ Battle - "too many back yard guys think they can compete with us - people might say you have good BBQ, but are they willing to pay you for it?" Yes they were - but the expenses just were too much for amateurs to pay and we stopped competing. Last year my family moved back to Montana to be closer to my parents and that is why I was so excited this year to compete. Back in the saddle. 
I always forgot something when preparing for a competition. I even forgot my rub twice - TWICE. So prepping begins asap. We are also fortunate that my parents have offered to let us use their Class A RV. Much better than sleeping in chairs. My wife Jackie, who has said many times, "don't include me in your BBQ shenanigans" has helped me a bit preparing - finding me containers for my supplies. She has agreed to join me at the event - but again has let me know this isn't her thing. That is okay - for anyone that has ever flown solo in an overnight cook - just having another person that might hear the alarm clock is nice, not to mention someone else to talk to you as you prepare your turn in box. Ryan's wife Lacy always took care of that for us - I wonder if it is too late to fly her out here.
Meat selection this competition was pretty good. I found a few nice butts with a good sized money muscle. Briskets were Prime cuts, but only 15 lbs - I was hoping for larger ones. Ribs were good size and I ended up going with Chicken thighs and legs. Still trying to find the rub for the chicken, but I did go back to Ryan's Rib Rub.
Our next Blog-port will come to you on Sunday after the competition. I will share wonderful stories of team camaraderie and smoked meats and hopefully will be able to let you know the last name anyone heard was "Big Boyz BBQ" and hopefully not followed by "You are making a scene." Good luck teams and everyone else - enjoy your weekend.
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