Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here! What makes you decide what contest you are cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?

Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To consider an event, I ask myself the following questions:

1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of my time, effort and expense?
2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward worth the investment?
3. Does the event organizer treat the cookers with courtesy and respect?
4. Does the event organizer ensure reasonable and manageable behavior?
5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third place payout?
6. Date/season – no event is November, January and February. (Not a question - Personal rule)

If the answer to any of the above questions is no, there is a high probability the Big GQ will not be participating.

At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun. The above questions help me keep that is mind.


--Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here! What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:

These are not in any particular order
1. Event must have a payout of at least 3 places with a minimum of 1K first place unless it is a first time event.
2. Must be allotted enough space, can't stand to be crunched up.
3. Must have power and water unless special circumstances or maybe for a first time event.
4. No mandatory AB that we as cookers have to furnish when enough must be prepared for the public
5. A cook-off that offers volunteers to give out the Q on Sat will always take preference over one that doesn't
6. Will not cook an event that will not let us leave after awards.
7. Will not cook events where quiet time and order are not enforced by the organizer.
Like Garland said, this is a hobby, a very expensive hobby, and if the organizer doesn't seem to care about the needs and concerns about the cookers we will cook elsewhere or just go fishing, hunting, or to a football game.

--Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:

Outstanding guys that's great info! Come on cook teams there was over 300 teams that cooked last year let's hear it good, bad and ugly! I know all the Marshalls monitor this site and some of the event coordinators do pretty time to have your voice heard!

--Previous Message--
: These are not in any particular order
: 1. Event must have a payout of at least 3
: places with a minimum of 1K first place
: unless it is a first time event.
: 2. Must be allotted enough space, can't
: stand to be crunched up.
: 3. Must have power and water unless special
: circumstances or maybe for a first time
: event.
: 4. No mandatory AB that we as cookers have
: to furnish when enough must be prepared for
: the public
: 5. A cook-off that offers volunteers to give
: out the Q on Sat will always take preference
: over one that doesn't
: 6. Will not cook an event that will not let
: us leave after awards.
: 7. Will not cook events where quiet time and
: order are not enforced by the organizer.
: Like Garland said, this is a hobby, a very
: expensive hobby, and if the organizer
: doesn't seem to care about the needs and
: concerns about the cookers we will cook
: elsewhere or just go fishing, hunting, or to
: a football game.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To
: consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:
:
:

Garland and Joe nailed it. I agree with all of the points by both.

--Previous Message--
: Outstanding guys that's great info! Come on
: cook teams there was over 300 teams that
: cooked last year let's hear it good, bad and
: ugly! I know all the Marshalls monitor this
: site and some of the event coordinators do
: pretty time to have your voice heard!
:
: --Previous Message--
: These are not in any particular order
: 1. Event must have a payout of at least 3
: places with a minimum of 1K first place
: unless it is a first time event.
: 2. Must be allotted enough space, can't
: stand to be crunched up.
: 3. Must have power and water unless special
: circumstances or maybe for a first time
: event.
: 4. No mandatory AB that we as cookers have
: to furnish when enough must be prepared for
: the public
: 5. A cook-off that offers volunteers to give
: out the Q on Sat will always take preference
: over one that doesn't
: 6. Will not cook an event that will not let
: us leave after awards.
: 7. Will not cook events where quiet time and
: order are not enforced by the organizer.
: Like Garland said, this is a hobby, a very
: expensive hobby, and if the organizer
: doesn't seem to care about the needs and
: concerns about the cookers we will cook
: elsewhere or just go fishing, hunting, or to
: a football game.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To
: consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

1. No entry fee over $250
2. No Mandatory AB
3. Must have enough power, electric and water
4. Early Awards the more attractive
5. CASH Payouts!! I love
6. I love Volunteers
7. I love unique trophies
8. I love breakfast for cook teams
9. I love seeing cook teams appreciated

Garland and Joe said it just fine...however JT beat me to this one - unique trophies!! The bowling league trophies just sit in my garage but the unique ones are in my house where visitors and I can see them. There are contests that I would go to just for the unique trophy regardless of money won!!

--Previous Message--
: 1. No entry fee over $250
: 2. No Mandatory AB
: 3. Must have enough power, electric and
: water
: 4. Early Awards the more attractive
: 5. CASH Payouts!! I love
: 6. I love Volunteers
: 7. I love unique trophies
: 8. I love breakfast for cook teams
: 9. I love seeing cook teams appreciated
:
:
:

Hey guys

This is a very interesting post. Being new to competition a few of you mentioned ATB and AB. I was just wondering what that is.

Thanks so much

Matt T

--Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:

Hey Matt welcome aboard! AB and ABT stands for anything but pork, no bbq.

--Previous Message--
: Hey guys
:
: This is a very interesting post. Being new
: to competition a few of you mentioned ATB
: and AB. I was just wondering what that is.
:
: Thanks so much
:
: Matt T
:
: --Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To
: consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:
:
:

In order for me to consider an event for my team to enter this year, here are some of the most important factors

1. Is the payout worth the effort?
2. If not is the event a prestigious BBQ event?
3. Does the event have trophies and not a plaque or ribbons.
4. How many places does the event pay out.
5. Does the event have ALL Preparations in place for the cookers upon arrival.
(making cookers wait for water or electric, when the events have been planned in advance, sometime a year in advance is unacceptable from event organizers and insulting to my team)
6. Is the meat going to be FROZEN, in a competition this is not acceptable and again is insulting.
7. What time do you get your competition meats? if later than 4pm unacceptable.
6. Is the cookers meeting mandatory?
7. If so, will I or my team be threatened with, or DQ'ed if missed. (this has happened to my team in the SCBA... unbelievable)?

At the end of the day, BBQ competitions are a hobby, and with any hobby it's about having fun.
I look forward to seeing everyone this year and hope this helps move the needle and improves SC BBQ competitions.
Time To BBQ
Cheyenne



--Previous Message--
: Hey Matt welcome aboard! AB and ABT stands for
: anything but pork, no bbq.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Hey guys
:
: This is a very interesting post. Being new
: to competition a few of you mentioned ATB
: and AB. I was just wondering what that is.
:
: Thanks so much
:
: Matt T
:
: --Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To
: consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

I am unaware of any team being disqualified for missing a cooker’s meeting. If this has happened please tell me when and where.


--Previous Message--
: In order for me to consider an event for my
: team to enter this year, here are some of
: the most important factors
:
: 1. Is the payout worth the effort?
: 2. If not is the event a prestigious BBQ
: event?
: 3. Does the event have trophies and not a
: plaque or ribbons.
: 4. How many places does the event pay out.
: 5. Does the event have ALL Preparations in
: place for the cookers upon arrival.
: (making cookers wait for water or electric,
: when the events have been planned in
: advance, sometime a year in advance is
: unacceptable from event organizers and
: insulting to my team)
: 6. Is the meat going to be FROZEN, in a
: competition this is not acceptable and again
: is insulting.
: 7. What time do you get your competition
: meats? if later than 4pm unacceptable.
: 6. Is the cookers meeting mandatory?
: 7. If so, will I or my team be threatened
: with, or DQ'ed if missed. (this has happened
: to my team in the SCBA... unbelievable)?
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ competitions are
: a hobby, and with any hobby it's about
: having fun.
: I look forward to seeing everyone this year
: and hope this helps move the needle and
: improves SC BBQ competitions.
: Time To BBQ
: Cheyenne
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Hey Matt welcome aboard! AB and ABT stands
: for
: anything but pork, no bbq.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Hey guys
:
: This is a very interesting post. Being new
: to competition a few of you mentioned ATB
: and AB. I was just wondering what that is.
:
: Thanks so much
:
: Matt T
:
: --Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To
: consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

Isaw this toipc and i thought i would commit on it for The Butts and BLuegrass Festival we always put our cookers first . In saying that I will let you know all of the profits go to the cookers and feed the hunger in our community. Jeff and I Make Nothing on the event As long as our Cookers are happy and guest and the organization expensives are meet we are happy . Our Things is we are al samll town and Jeff and I Have done this festival now for 4 years which every year it gets bigger and bigger and we think God for that. But Also I think sometimes There are some cookers who think even if you have given them everything and try to make everything perfect some cookers will want even more . I have always wonder how cookers deterime how they would figure out what competition to go to. I know for us we do not get alot of backing for our event it comes right our of our pocket and we are trying to grow even bigger this year we are working on being nonprofit and looking and changing the payout as well. But to put on a festival like we do jeff and i spend around 25 to 30 thousdand dollers every year top make sure you guys are happy. We would love to have all of you and I can say in putting one of the events on it hepls us with space if you let us know ahead of time you will be there and only use power privided for cooking purposes only. I know alot of festivals do not care what happens but I can tell you Butts and Bluegrass BBQ Festival cares from start to finish and we love doing this so it can help othersin need.

--Previous Message--
: Outstanding guys that's great info! Come on
: cook teams there was over 300 teams that
: cooked last year let's hear it good, bad and
: ugly! I know all the Marshalls monitor this
: site and some of the event coordinators do
: pretty time to have your voice heard!
:
: --Previous Message--
: These are not in any particular order
: 1. Event must have a payout of at least 3
: places with a minimum of 1K first place
: unless it is a first time event.
: 2. Must be allotted enough space, can't
: stand to be crunched up.
: 3. Must have power and water unless special
: circumstances or maybe for a first time
: event.
: 4. No mandatory AB that we as cookers have
: to furnish when enough must be prepared for
: the public
: 5. A cook-off that offers volunteers to give
: out the Q on Sat will always take preference
: over one that doesn't
: 6. Will not cook an event that will not let
: us leave after awards.
: 7. Will not cook events where quiet time and
: order are not enforced by the organizer.
: Like Garland said, this is a hobby, a very
: expensive hobby, and if the organizer
: doesn't seem to care about the needs and
: concerns about the cookers we will cook
: elsewhere or just go fishing, hunting, or to
: a football game.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Great question, Brian! I’ll play. To
: consider
: an event, I ask myself the following
: questions:
:
: 1. Is the event for a cause I deem worthy of
: my time, effort and expense?
: 2. Is ATB mandatory? If so, is the reward
: worth the investment?
: 3. Does the event organizer treat the
: cookers with courtesy and respect?
: 4. Does the event organizer ensure
: reasonable and manageable behavior?
: 5. Can I recoup my entry fee with a third
: place payout?
: 6. Date/season – no event is November,
: January and February. (Not a question -
: Personal rule)
:
: If the answer to any of the above questions
: is no, there is a high probability the Big
: GQ will not be participating.
:
: At the end of the day, BBQ is a hobby to
: me…and with any hobby, I want to have fun.
: The above questions help me keep that is
: mind.
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ok folks lets get the smoke rolling here!
: What
: makes you decide what contest you are
: cooking in and the ones you avoid and why?
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

--Previous Message--
: Isaw this toipc and i thought i would commit
: on it for The Butts and BLuegrass Festival
: we always put our cookers first . In saying
: that I will let you know all of the profits
: go to the cookers and feed the hunger in our
: community. Jeff and I Make Nothing on the
: event As long as our Cookers are happy and
: guest and the organization expensives are
: meet we are happy . Our Things is we are al
: samll town and Jeff and I Have done this
: festival now for 4 years which every year it
: gets bigger and bigger and we think God for
: that. But Also I think sometimes There are
: some cookers who think even if you have
: given them everything and try to make
: everything perfect some cookers will want
: even more . I have always wonder how cookers
: deterime how they would figure out what
: competition to go to. I know for us we do
: not get alot of backing for our event it
: comes right our of our pocket and we are
: trying to grow even bigger this year we are
: working on being nonprofit and looking and
: changing the payout as well. But to put on a
: festival like we do jeff and i spend around
: 25 to 30 thousdand dollers every year top
: make sure you guys are happy. We would love
: to have all of you and I can say in putting
: one of the events on it hepls us with space
: if you let us know ahead of time you will be
: there and only use power privided for
: cooking purposes only. I know alot of
: festivals do not care what happens but I can
: tell you Butts and Bluegrass BBQ Festival
: cares from start to finish and we love doing
: this so it can help othersin need.
:
Thank you Lisa for offering a different perspective. I wouldn't mind hearing from others that put on events how cookers can help make a great event happen. I think most of us are more than willing to talk with any event organizer if they ask us our opinions...we should be willing to listen to theirs as well. If I were putting on a event here would be my top wishes, signup as soon as you can, don't cancel on me for a better opportunity, if I do a atb on Friday night help me out and don't whine - it's for the charity. That's a couple of starters....anyone else want to chime in?