I Finally Got My First BBQ Grand Championship

Since 2006 I have been competing in BBQ competitions with the Four Q BBQ team.  We have had some good competitions where we did well and we have had some not so great competitions.  We congratulate ourselves as not coming in DAL (Dead Ass Last) in any competitons over the past 5 years.

Four Q started as four food bloggers who had a love for BBQ who wanted to venture into the competition world.  I remember our first competion at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles in 2006.  We had only met and did one practice a month before that competition but after a good finish in ribs, we were hooked. 

Over the years our team went to three members and then two and over the last year only one with me competing solo during most of 2011.  We were always seeking that elusive GC (Grand Champion- First Place in a single competition overall).  I told my hubby earlier this year that my goal was to achieve a GC by the end of the year.  He was supportive but I could tell then that my wish for a GC was like his dream to catch a 300 plus pound tuna during one of his fishing adventures. 

Well, he has been there for  me supportive and lending a helping hand as my PB while I competed solo.  I did achieve my first Grand Championship this past weekend at the December 11th Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum BBQ Competiton in Vista, CA  flying solo for Four Q Competition BBQ Team.  Heck yes and after a very animated, jump up and down, scream and shout, kiss and hug, yes, yes with a standing ovation from my BBQ family, I realized my dream.  GC, I'm still pinching myself to make sure it wasn't a dream but yes a dream come true.

Next year I probably be competing under a new team name- "Lady of Q".  I'll keep you posted.

Grand Champion: Four Q (Me)
Reserve Champion: Simply Marvelous BBQ

Overall:
1. Four Q - 666.2856
2. Simply Marvelous BBQ - 666.2854
3. All Sauced Up - 659.9998
4. All Hogs Go To Heaven - 659.4286
5. 4 Smokin Butts - 658.2852
6. Smoke Slayers - 657.7150
7. Big Poppa Smokers - 657.1432
8. Master of Disaster - 650.8570
9. Tropical Heat BBQ - 645.1428
10. Who's Smoking Now - 643.4282
11. Brazen BBQ - 641.7138
12. Left Coast Q - 641.1428
13. The Pit Crew BBQ - 640.5716
14. Chillin and Grillin BBQ - 637.7140
15. Big Daddy's Q N Crew - 630.8572
16. Bills Best BBQ - 628.0000
17. Ridge Route Boys BBQ - 623.9996
18. Mad Maui - 620.5714
19. Devil Dog BBQ - 616.5714
20. Smokehouse 10 - 613.1432
21. Meat Inc. - 612.5710
22. Rubbed the Right Way - 606.8570
23. Wild Willy's Smokin Hot - 603.9996
24. Woody's Bar-B-Que - 600.5712
25. Hoghound Barbeque - 597.7142
26. Marinated Chefs - 594.2848
27. Oink N Squeal - 590.8568
28. Bubba's Smokeyard BBQ - 589.7138
29. Ricks Secret Spot - 309.7148
30. West's Best BBQ Team - 299.4278


Chicken:
1. All Sauced Up - 170.8572
2. 4 Smokin Butts - 170.2856
3. Big Poppa Smokers - 169.1428
4. Simply Marvelous BBQ - 169.1428
5. Ricks Secret Spot - 168.5718
6. Smoke Slayers - 168.5716
7. All Hogs Go To Heaven - 168.5714
8. Who's Smoking Now - 167.4286
9. Big Daddy's Q N Crew - 164.0000
10. Ridge Route Boys BBQ - 164.0000
11. Four Q - 164.0000
12. Master of Disaster - 162.8572
13. Left Coast Q - 162.8570
14. Chillin and Grillin BBQ - 162.8570
15. Meat Inc. - 161.7142
16. Bubba's Smokeyard BBQ - 157.7142
17. Brazen BBQ - 157.7140
18. Bills Best BBQ - 157.1430
19. Devil Dog BBQ - 157.1428
20. Tropical Heat BBQ - 156.5714
21. Rubbed the Right Way - 156.0000
22. The Pit Crew BBQ - 156.0000
23. Wild Willy's Smokin Hot - 154.2856
24. Mad Maui - 153.1428
25. Smokehouse 10 - 152.0002
26. Oink N Squeal - 151.4284
27. Hoghound Barbeque - 150.2856
28. Woody's Bar-B-Que - 150.2856
29. Marinated Chefs - 146.2854


Ribs:
1. Four Q - 173.7144
2. All Sauced Up - 169.7142
3. Mad Maui - 169.1428
4. Left Coast Q - 166.8572
5. Devil Dog BBQ - 165.1428
6. Tropical Heat BBQ - 164.5716
7. Smoke Slayers - 164.0004
8. Chillin and Grillin BBQ - 162.2856
9. Brazen BBQ - 162.2856
10. The Pit Crew BBQ - 161.1430
11. Simply Marvelous BBQ - 160.0000
12. Big Daddy's Q N Crew - 159.4286
13. All Hogs Go To Heaven - 159.4286
14. Who's Smoking Now - 159.4284
15. Big Poppa Smokers - 158.2858
16. Hoghound Barbeque - 158.2858
17. Bills Best BBQ - 158.2856
18. 4 Smokin Butts - 157.1428
19. Master of Disaster - 156.5714
20. Marinated Chefs - 151.9998
21. Meat Inc. - 148.5714
22. Woody's Bar-B-Que - 146.8574
23. Oink N Squeal - 146.8572
24. Rubbed the Right Way - 143.4286
25. Bubba's Smokeyard BBQ - 143.4284
26. Smokehouse 10 - 142.2858
27. Ricks Secret Spot - 141.1430
28. Ridge Route Boys BBQ - 139.9998
29. Wild Willy's Smokin Hot - 131.4284


Pork:
1. Smokehouse 10 - 172.0000
2. 4 Smokin Butts - 165.7140
3. Big Poppa Smokers - 165.1432
4. All Sauced Up - 164.5714
5. All Hogs Go To Heaven - 164.0000
6. Master of Disaster - 164.0000
7. Brazen BBQ - 162.2858
8. Smoke Slayers - 162.2858
9. Simply Marvelous BBQ - 162.2854
10. Oink N Squeal - 161.7142
11. Tropical Heat BBQ - 161.7142
12. Who's Smoking Now - 161.7140
13. Bills Best BBQ - 161.1428
14. Four Q - 160.5712
15. Ridge Route Boys BBQ - 159.9998
16. Left Coast Q - 159.4286
17. West's Best BBQ Team - 157.7138
18. Big Daddy's Q N Crew - 157.1430
19. The Pit Crew BBQ - 154.2856
20. Meat Inc. - 154.2854
21. Chillin and Grillin BBQ - 153.1430
22. Wild Willy's Smokin Hot - 153.1428
23. Woody's Bar-B-Que - 153.1426
24. Rubbed the Right Way - 148.5714
25. Marinated Chefs - 148.5714
26. Devil Dog BBQ - 141.7144
27. Hoghound Barbeque - 140.5714
28. Mad Maui - 137.7142
29. Bubba's Smokeyard BBQ - 132.5712

Brisket:
1. Simply Marvelous BBQ - 174.8572
2. The Pit Crew BBQ - 169.1430
3. Four Q - 168.0000
4. All Hogs Go To Heaven - 167.4286
5. Master of Disaster - 167.4284
6. Wild Willy's Smokin Hot - 165.1428
7. 4 Smokin Butts - 165.1428
8. Big Poppa Smokers - 164.5714
9. Smoke Slayers - 162.8572
10. Tropical Heat BBQ - 162.2856
11. Mad Maui - 160.5716
12. Ridge Route Boys BBQ - 160.0000
13. Chillin and Grillin BBQ - 159.4284
14. Brazen BBQ - 159.4284
15. Rubbed the Right Way - 158.8570
16. Bubba's Smokeyard BBQ - 156.0000
17. Who's Smoking Now - 154.8572
18. All Sauced Up - 154.8570
19. Devil Dog BBQ - 152.5714
20. Left Coast Q - 152.0000
21. Bills Best BBQ - 151.4286
22. Woody's Bar-B-Que - 150.2856
23. Big Daddy's Q N Crew - 150.2856
24. Hoghound Barbeque - 148.5714
25. Meat Inc. - 148.0000
26. Marinated Chefs - 147.4282
27. Smokehouse 10 - 146.8572
28. West's Best BBQ Team - 141.7140
29. Oink N Squeal - 130.8570

Rock Springs BBQ Boo Bash- Arizona Oct 28-29

This past weekend I competed as Four Q (aka Lady of Q) at the Arizona Rock Springs BBQ Boo Bash. A 7 hour drive from Los Angeles while caravaning with my former teammate and now fellow competitor Bigmista BBQ.

There were 48 teams from Arizona, California and Nevada.  The event was a blast (except for some minor things like the heat and gravel-dirt turf).  We took Ziggy who loved all the attention from all but he didn't take to the heat very well.

Many teams decorated their booths for Halloween and wow what creative designs there were.  In addition to the BBQ competition under BCS rules, there was an AZ versus CA battle.  The top five overall scores from each states teams determining the overall winner. 

Well, I was pretty happy with my scores.  I placed 6th in ribs and 2nd in pork out of 48 teams.  Overall I was 14th.  My chicken and brisket scores we won't talk about.  I knew my brisket wasn't very good, but thought my chicken was superb.  The judges disagreed.

2nd Place Pork

Exhausted Lady of Q and Clueless Cook of Q

Overall
1 Toys 4 BBQ'N - AZ- Grand Champion
2 Straw, Sticks & Bricks BBQ - AZ Reserve Grand Champion
3 Squeal Team Six - AZ
4 Who's Smokin Now - CA
5 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - CA
6 I.A.B. 30 BBQ - AZ
7 Smoked to the Bone - AZ
8 Left Coast Q. - CA
9 Route 66 Catering Crew - AZ
10 Hibbs & Crew Pirate BarBQ - AZ
11 Whiskey Ranch BBQ - AZ
12 Smokin' Buds - AZ
13 Loot 'N Booty BBQ - AZ
14 Four Q - CA
15 Porketeers - CA
16 Ranch 13 - AZ
17 Sin City Smokers - NV
18 Big Fire BBQ - AZ
19 Bam Bam's BBQ/BBQ Island - AZ
20 Smokin Phoenicians BBQ Team - AZ
21 Chubby Hubby BBQ - AZ
22 BBQ Bullies - AZ
23 Flying Porkmen - AZ
24 145 Grill - AZ
25 Anything'll Que - AZ
26 Crazy Pig BBQ - AZ
27 Smoke N Frogs - AZ
28 Johnny's Smokehouse - AZ
29 Big Rack BBQ - AZ
30 Glazed & Confused BBQ Team - AZ
31 Bigmista's Barbecue - CA
32 Swimmin in Smoke - AZ
33 Trailhound Smokers BBQ - NV
34 Golden Ticket BBQ - CA
35 Company B BBQ - AZ
36 Butthead BBQ - AZ
37 Good Guys BBQ - AZ
38 Two Sons BBQ - AZ
39 The Arizona Kid - AZ
40 Fire & Desire BBQ Team - AZ
41 Kegger's BBQ - AZ
42 BrownBear BBQ - AZ
43 Skinny's BBQ - AZ
44 Major Woody's Baron Von Jager BBQ Team - AZ
45 The Hog Pit Smokehouse & Grill - AZ
46 FAHRENHEIT 251 - AZ
47 Rock & Roll BBQ - AZ
48 No Clue BBQ - AZ

Chicken
1 Straw, Sticks & Bricks BBQ - AZ
2 Butthead BBQ - AZ
3 Porketeers - CA
4 The Hog Pit Smokehouse & Grill - AZ
5 Smoke N Frogs - AZ
6 Squeal Team Six - AZ
7 Smokin' Buds - AZ
8 Left Coast Q. - CA
9 Smoked to the Bone - AZ
10 Glazed & Confused BBQ Team - AZ
11 Smokin Phoenicians BBQ Team - AZ
12 Sin City Smokers - NV
13 Chubby Hubby BBQ - AZ
14 I.A.B. 30 BBQ - AZ
15 Crazy Pig BBQ - AZ
16 Whiskey Ranch BBQ - AZ
17 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - CA
18 BBQ Bullies - AZ
19 Flying Porkmen - AZ
20 Toys 4 BBQ'N - AZ
21 Route 66 Catering Crew - AZ
22 FAHRENHEIT 251 - AZ
23 Bigmista's Barbecue - CA
24 Hibbs & Crew Pirate BarBQ - AZ
25 Who's Smokin Now - CA
26 Big Fire BBQ - AZ
27 The Arizona Kid - AZ
28 Two Sons BBQ - AZ
29 145 Grill - AZ
30 Golden Ticket BBQ - CA
31 Kegger's BBQ - AZ
32 Trailhound Smokers BBQ - NV
33 Anything'll Que - AZ
34 Big Rack BBQ - AZ
35 Bam Bam's BBQ/BBQ Island - AZ
36 Good Guys BBQ - AZ
37 Four Q - CA
38 Loot 'N Booty BBQ - AZ
39 Swimmin in Smoke - AZ
40 Ranch 13 - AZ
41 BrownBear BBQ - AZ
42 Skinny's BBQ - AZ
43 Fire & Desire BBQ Team - AZ
44 Company B BBQ - AZ
45 Johnny's Smokehouse - AZ
46 Major Woody's Baron Von Jager BBQ Team - AZ
47 Rock & Roll BBQ - AZ
48 No Clue BBQ - AZ

Ribs
1 Toys 4 BBQ'N - AZ
2 Hibbs & Crew Pirate BarBQ - AZ
3 Left Coast Q. - CA
4 Straw, Sticks & Bricks BBQ - AZ
5 Smoked to the Bone - AZ
6 Four Q - CA
7 Porketeers - CA
8 Loot 'N Booty BBQ - AZ
9 Major Woody's Baron Von Jager BBQ Team - AZ
10 Whiskey Ranch BBQ - AZ
11 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - CA
12 No Clue BBQ - AZ
13 145 Grill - AZ
14 Who's Smokin Now - CA
15 I.A.B. 30 BBQ - AZ
16 Squeal Team Six - AZ
17 Chubby Hubby BBQ - AZ
18 The Hog Pit Smokehouse & Grill - AZ
19 Johnny's Smokehouse - AZ
20 Route 66 Catering Crew - AZ
21 Bigmista's Barbecue - CA
22 BBQ Bullies - AZ
23 Good Guys BBQ - AZ
24 Big Rack BBQ - AZ
25 Smokin' Buds - AZ
26 Bam Bam's BBQ/BBQ Island - AZ
27 Skinny's BBQ - AZ
28 Anything'll Que - AZ
29 Ranch 13 - AZ
30 Flying Porkmen - AZ
31 Golden Ticket BBQ - CA
32 BrownBear BBQ - AZ
33 Swimmin in Smoke - AZ
34 Big Fire BBQ - AZ
35 Smokin Phoenicians BBQ Team - AZ
36 The Arizona Kid - AZ
37 Company B BBQ - AZ
38 Kegger's BBQ - AZ
39 Glazed & Confused BBQ Team - AZ
40 Two Sons BBQ - AZ
41 Trailhound Smokers BBQ - NV
42 Smoke N Frogs - AZ
43 Fire & Desire BBQ Team - AZ
44 Sin City Smokers - NV
45 Butthead BBQ - AZ
46 Crazy Pig BBQ - AZ
47 Rock & Roll BBQ - AZ
48 FAHRENHEIT 251 - AZ

Pork
1 Whiskey Ranch BBQ - AZ
2 Four Q - CA
3 Ranch 13 - AZ
4 Toys 4 BBQ'N - AZ
5 Loot 'N Booty BBQ - AZ
6 Bam Bam's BBQ/BBQ Island - AZ
7 Anything'll Que - AZ
8 Sin City Smokers - NV
9 Squeal Team Six - AZ
10 Who's Smokin Now - CA
11 Left Coast Q. - CA
12 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - CA
13 The Hog Pit Smokehouse & Grill - AZ
14 Good Guys BBQ - AZ
15 Smoke N Frogs - AZ
16 Fire & Desire BBQ Team - AZ
17 Route 66 Catering Crew - AZ
18 Johnny's Smokehouse - AZ
19 Crazy Pig BBQ - AZ
20 Chubby Hubby BBQ - AZ
21 Glazed & Confused BBQ Team - AZ
22 Hibbs & Crew Pirate BarBQ - AZ
23 No Clue BBQ - AZ
24 Big Fire BBQ - AZ
25 I.A.B. 30 BBQ - AZ
26 145 Grill - AZ
27 BBQ Bullies - AZ
28 Smokin Phoenicians BBQ Team - AZ
29 Major Woody's Baron Von Jager BBQ Team - AZ
30 Straw, Sticks & Bricks BBQ - AZ
31 Golden Ticket BBQ - CA
32 Swimmin in Smoke - AZ
33 Smokin' Buds - AZ
34 Company B BBQ - AZ
35 FAHRENHEIT 251 - AZ
36 Rock & Roll BBQ - AZ
37 Butthead BBQ - AZ
38 Trailhound Smokers BBQ - NV
39 Big Rack BBQ - AZ
40 Flying Porkmen - AZ
41 BrownBear BBQ - AZ
42 Porketeers - CA
43 Kegger's BBQ - AZ
44 The Arizona Kid - AZ
45 Smoked to the Bone - AZ
46 Bigmista's Barbecue - CA
47 Two Sons BBQ - AZ
48 Skinny's BBQ - AZ
Brisket
1 FAHRENHEIT 251- AZ
2 Major Woody's Baron Von Jager BBQ Team - AZ
3 Who's Smokin Now - CA
4 Smoked to the Bone - AZ
5 I.A.B. 30 BBQ - AZ
6 Route 66 Catering Crew - AZ
7 Ranch 13 - AZ
8 Big Fire BBQ - AZ
9 Toys 4 BBQ'N - AZ
10 Straw, Sticks & Bricks BBQ - AZ
11 Flying Porkmen - AZ
12 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - CA
13 Squeal Team Six - AZ
14 Smokin' Buds - AZ
15 Big Rack BBQ - AZ
16 Smokin Phoenicians BBQ Team - AZ
17 Bam Bam's BBQ/BBQ Island - AZ
18 Sin City Smokers - NV
19 Johnny's Smokehouse - AZ
20 Trailhound Smokers BBQ - NV
21 Hibbs & Crew Pirate BarBQ - AZ
22 Company B BBQ - AZ
23 BBQ Bullies - AZ
24 Crazy Pig BBQ - AZ
25 Two Sons BBQ - AZ
26 Porketeers - CA
27 Loot 'N Booty BBQ - AZ
28 Swimmin in Smoke - AZ
29 Bigmista's Barbecue - CA
30 Anything'll Que - AZ
31 Four Q - CA
32 145 Grill - AZ
33 Rock & Roll BBQ - AZ
34 Golden Ticket BBQ - CA
35 Whiskey Ranch BBQ - AZ
36 Kegger's BBQ - AZ
37 Chubby Hubby BBQ - AZ
38 Smoke N Frogs - AZ
39 BrownBear BBQ - AZ
40 Left Coast Q. - CA
41 The Arizona Kid - AZ
42 Skinny's BBQ - AZ
43 Glazed & Confused BBQ Team - AZ
44 Fire & Desire BBQ Team - AZ
45 Butthead BBQ - AZ
46 Good Guys BBQ - AZ
47 The Hog Pit Smokehouse & Grill - AZ
48 No Clue BBQ - AZ

The 32nd Annual American Royal BBQ Competition- Kansas City

Photos from the American Royal 32nd Annual BBQ Invitational and Open Competition as I experienced it.

Note, this was a truly great experience which I wish I had taken more photos.  There were many folks I met from my FB friends, and other internet forum sites who I can say are truly amazing people.

This competiton included 140 teams representing the best of the best in an invitational competiton and a total of 480 plus teams in the open competiton.  I judged both competitions and must say I tasted some Real Good Meat and some very creative desserts, vegetables, beans and potato entrees.

Four Q Finishes In The Top 10 at Dana Point

Four Q received three top 10 calls and 9th overall out of 48 teams.  I cooked this event solo amongst some of California and Arizona's best teams.  See results below.  This Lady of Q is very happy with the results.

Also se article and pictures posted in the OC register by Shuji Sakai on the Dana PointBBQ Competiton.  Click this link:  BBQ

Dana Point BBQ Championship


Dana Point, CA

09/23/2011 - 09/24/2011

Grand Champion: Big Poppa Smokers

Reserve Champion: Left Coast Q



Overall:

1. Big Poppa Smokers - 680.0000

2. Left Coast Q - 672.5710

3. Rhythm 'n Que - 663.9994

4. The Rub Company - 660.0002

5. Butcher's Daughter BBQ - 660.0002

6. Funtime BBQ - 656.0002

7. Huminies Hogalicious BBQ - 654.8568

8. Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - 654.2860

9. Four Q - 654.2850

10. T & J Backyard BBQ - 653.7140

11. Big Daddy's Qn Crew - 653.1428

12. All Sauced Up - 651.4286

13. Rusty Barrel BBQ - 649.7146

14. Pig in the Pit - 648.0000

15. Rooftop Barbeque - 646.2856

16. Who's Smokin Now - 643.4282

17. All Hogs Go to Heaven - 641.7140

18. Knock UR Sox Off BBQ - 639.4286

19. Tropical Heat - 638.2858

20. The Pit Crew BBQ - 633.1430

21. Mad Dawgz BBQ - 629.7142

22. Daddy O's Smokin' BBQ - 628.5712

23. Otis and the Bird - 626.8568

24. Hoghound Barbeque - 625.1434

25. Karnivorous - 623.9992

26. West's Best BBQ - 621.7140

27. Meat Inc. - 619.9996

28. Woodhouse Barbecue - 618.2858

29. Smokaholics - 617.7142

30. The Ace Tomato Company - 616.5712

31. Master of Disaster - 614.8572

32. Tops BBQ - 613.7142

33. High Gravity Que - 613.1424

34. Chillin N Grillin BBQ Te - 612.5712

35. Smokey Bones BBQ - 606.8568

36. Big Aces BBQ - 602.2860

37. Inhale BBQ - 594.8568

38. Wild Willys Smokin Hot B - 593.1426

39. Tony's BBQ - 592.0004

40. Stealth BBQ - 589.7140

41. AKME Smokers - 588.0002

42. Qued Up - 585.1422

43. Bubbas Smokeyard BBQ - 576.0010

44. Woodys Bar-B-Que - 573.1434

45. Chef Gregory's - 530.2870

46. Up In Smoke BBQ - 438.2856

47. Rick's BBQ & Catering - 410.2862

48. Taste of Ab - 402.2866







Chicken:

1. Big Daddy's Qn Crew - 173.7144

2. The Rub Company - 172.5714

3. Huminies Hogalicious BBQ - 172.0000

4. All Sauced Up - 172.0000

5. Knock UR Sox Off BBQ - 169.7142

6. Mad Dawgz BBQ - 169.1428

7. Left Coast Q - 169.1428

8. Rhythm 'n Que - 169.1426

9. Four Q - 167.4284

10. Funtime BBQ - 166.8572

11. Big Poppa Smokers - 166.8572

12. Hoghound Barbeque - 166.2860

13. Tropical Heat - 166.2858

14. Pig in the Pit - 166.2858

15. Daddy O's Smokin' BBQ - 166.2856

16. Butcher's Daughter BBQ - 165.7142

17. Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - 165.1430

18. T & J Backyard BBQ - 165.1428

19. Meat Inc. - 164.0000

20. Woodhouse Barbecue - 162.2858

21. Master of Disaster - 162.2856

22. Who's Smokin Now - 161.1428

23. West's Best BBQ - 159.4286

24. Smokaholics - 158.2860

25. Woodys Bar-B-Que - 157.1430

26. Rooftop Barbeque - 155.9998

27. The Pit Crew BBQ - 155.9998

28. Otis and the Bird - 154.2856

29. Rusty Barrel BBQ - 153.1430

30. Tops BBQ - 152.0000

31. All Hogs Go to Heaven - 152.0000

32. Karnivorous - 151.9998

33. High Gravity Que - 151.4284

34. Qued Up - 150.8570

35. Smokey Bones BBQ - 150.2856

36. Chillin N Grillin BBQ Te - 149.7138

37. The Ace Tomato Company - 148.5714

38. AKME Smokers - 148.0000

39. Stealth BBQ - 147.9998

40. Wild Willys Smokin Hot B - 146.8570

41. Inhale BBQ - 144.0000

42. Tony's BBQ - 142.8572

43. Big Aces BBQ - 137.7144

44. Rick's BBQ & Catering - 133.1436

45. Bubbas Smokeyard BBQ - 127.4294

46. Chef Gregory's - 118.2862

47. Taste of Ab - 20.0000





Ribs:

1. All Hogs Go to Heaven - 175.4286

2. Left Coast Q - 170.8570

3. Who's Smokin Now - 170.8570

4. The Rub Company - 170.2858

5. Rhythm 'n Que - 169.7142

6. The Pit Crew BBQ - 169.1430

7. T & J Backyard BBQ - 168.5714

8. Rusty Barrel BBQ - 168.0000

9. All Sauced Up - 168.0000

10. Rooftop Barbeque - 167.4284

11. Bubbas Smokeyard BBQ - 165.1430

12. Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - 164.5714

13. Knock UR Sox Off BBQ - 164.0002

14. Tropical Heat - 164.0000

15. Big Poppa Smokers - 164.0000

16. Funtime BBQ - 162.2858

17. Butcher's Daughter BBQ - 160.5716

18. Huminies Hogalicious BBQ - 160.0000

19. Tony's BBQ - 159.4288

20. Otis and the Bird - 159.4284

21. Tops BBQ - 158.8570

22. West's Best BBQ - 157.7142

23. Big Aces BBQ - 157.1430

24. Hoghound Barbeque - 156.5714

25. Pig in the Pit - 155.4286

26. Daddy O's Smokin' BBQ - 155.4286

27. Chillin N Grillin BBQ Te - 155.4286

28. Meat Inc. - 154.8572

29. The Ace Tomato Company - 154.8570

30. Four Q - 154.8568

31. Mad Dawgz BBQ - 153.7144

32. Wild Willys Smokin Hot B - 153.7142

33. Big Daddy's Qn Crew - 153.7142

34. Woodhouse Barbecue - 153.1432

35. Smokaholics - 153.1426

36. Inhale BBQ - 152.5716

37. Smokey Bones BBQ - 152.5714

38. Stealth BBQ - 152.0000

39. AKME Smokers - 150.2858

40. Chef Gregory's - 148.5714

41. Up In Smoke BBQ - 148.0000

42. High Gravity Que - 146.2858

43. Karnivorous - 146.2854

44. Qued Up - 143.9998

45. Master of Disaster - 140.5716

46. Woodys Bar-B-Que - 138.8574

47. Rick's BBQ & Catering - 133.1426

48. Taste of Ab - 132.0004







Pork:

1. Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - 178.2858

2. Butcher's Daughter BBQ - 175.4286

3. Pig in the Pit - 171.4284

4. Big Poppa Smokers - 171.4284

5. Four Q - 170.8572

6. Otis and the Bird - 170.2858

7. Tropical Heat - 169.1428

8. Rusty Barrel BBQ - 168.0002

9. Funtime BBQ - 168.0000

10. Rooftop Barbeque - 166.8572

11. The Rub Company - 165.7144

12. T & J Backyard BBQ - 165.7142

13. Big Daddy's Qn Crew - 164.5714

14. Who's Smokin Now - 164.5712

15. Rhythm 'n Que - 162.8572

16. All Hogs Go to Heaven - 162.8570

17. Karnivorous - 161.7142

18. Mad Dawgz BBQ - 161.7142

19. Chillin N Grillin BBQ Te - 161.1430

20. Knock UR Sox Off BBQ - 160.5714

21. Huminies Hogalicious BBQ - 160.5712

22. The Ace Tomato Company - 160.0000

23. Left Coast Q - 159.4284

24. Chef Gregory's - 157.7142

25. Daddy O's Smokin' BBQ - 157.7142

26. Smokaholics - 156.5714

27. Tops BBQ - 156.5714

28. All Sauced Up - 156.5714

29. Inhale BBQ - 154.2854

30. Up In Smoke BBQ - 153.7144

31. Hoghound Barbeque - 153.1428

32. Big Aces BBQ - 153.1428

33. Master of Disaster - 153.1428

34. Meat Inc. - 153.1426

35. Smokey Bones BBQ - 152.5714

36. Woodhouse Barbecue - 151.9998

37. High Gravity Que - 151.4284

38. West's Best BBQ - 150.8572

39. The Pit Crew BBQ - 149.7144

40. Stealth BBQ - 149.1428

41. Qued Up - 147.4284

42. Woodys Bar-B-Que - 146.2856

43. Taste of Ab - 145.1432

44. Rick's BBQ & Catering - 144.0000

45. Wild Willys Smokin Hot B - 141.7142

46. Tony's BBQ - 141.1430

47. AKME Smokers - 136.5714

48. Bubbas Smokeyard BBQ - 134.2856





Brisket:

1. Big Poppa Smokers - 177.7144

2. Left Coast Q - 173.1428

3. Karnivorous - 163.9998

4. High Gravity Que - 163.9998

5. Huminies Hogalicious BBQ - 162.2856

6. Rhythm 'n Que - 162.2854

7. Big Daddy's Qn Crew - 161.1428

8. Four Q - 161.1426

9. Rusty Barrel BBQ - 160.5714

10. Master of Disaster - 158.8572

11. Funtime BBQ - 158.8572

12. The Pit Crew BBQ - 158.2858

13. Butcher's Daughter BBQ - 158.2858

14. Rooftop Barbeque - 156.0002

15. Pig in the Pit - 154.8572

16. All Sauced Up - 154.8572

17. Big Aces BBQ - 154.2858

18. T & J Backyard BBQ - 154.2856

19. West's Best BBQ - 153.7140

20. AKME Smokers - 153.1430

21. The Ace Tomato Company - 153.1428

22. The Rub Company - 151.4286

23. Smokey Bones BBQ - 151.4284

24. All Hogs Go to Heaven - 151.4284

25. Wild Willys Smokin Hot B - 150.8572

26. Woodhouse Barbecue - 150.8570

27. Smokaholics - 149.7142

28. Hoghound Barbeque - 149.1432

29. Bubbas Smokeyard BBQ - 149.1430

30. Daddy O's Smokin' BBQ - 149.1428

31. Tony's BBQ - 148.5714

32. Meat Inc. - 147.9998

33. Who's Smokin Now - 146.8572

34. Tops BBQ - 146.2858

35. Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ - 146.2858

36. Chillin N Grillin BBQ Te - 146.2858

37. Knock UR Sox Off BBQ - 145.1428

38. Mad Dawgz BBQ - 145.1428

39. Inhale BBQ - 143.9998

40. Qued Up - 142.8570

41. Otis and the Bird - 142.8570

42. Stealth BBQ - 140.5714

43. Tropical Heat - 138.8572

44. Up In Smoke BBQ - 136.5712

45. Woodys Bar-B-Que - 130.8574

46. Chef Gregory's - 105.7152

47. Taste of Ab - 105.1430

Video from Dana Point Comp:

Tomato Pie

Simply Recipes posted a recipe for Tomato Pie which looked so yummy I had to try it.  The recipe is pasted below as I made it.  (Thank you Elise)

It was every bit as good as it looks.  I hate to think of the calorie content with all that cheese and mayonaise.  Great idea for a pot luck and to use up all those garden tomatoes.



Chopped Red Onions





Basil and Tomatoes


 

Baked Tomato Pie



Tomato Pie Recipe From Simply Recipes

Prep time: 10 minutes (add 30 minutes to remove additional moisture by salting and draining)

Cook time: 55 minutes (actual for mine was 45 minutes including 10 minutes to cook shell before adding ingredients)

Ingredients

1 9-inch pie shell

1/2 yellow or red onion, chopped

3-4 tomatoes, cut in half horizontally, squeezed to remove excess juice, roughly chopped, to yield approximately 3 cups chopped tomatoes

1/4 cup sliced basil (about 8 leaves)*

2 cups grated cheese (combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, or Gruyere or Mozarella)

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon (or more to taste) of Frank's Hot Sauce (or Tabasco)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pie shell in oven and cook for 8-10 minutes or longer until lightly golden. If you are starting with a frozen crust, you'll need to cook it a little longer. If you are using a homemade crust, freeze the crust first, then line the crust with aluminum foil and pre-bake it for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.

2 Squeeze as much moisture as you can out of the chopped tomatoes, using either paper towels, a clean dish towel, or a potato ricer.  (I also sprinkled with salt and allowed the tomatoes to release water through a colander for about 30 minutes)

3 Sprinkle the bottom of the pre-cooked pie shell with chopped onion. Spread the chopped tomatoes over the onions. Sprinkle the sliced basil over the tomatoes.

4 In a medium bowl, mix together the grated cheese, mayonnaise, Tabasco, a sprinkling of salt and freshly ground black pepper. The mixture should be the consistency of a gooey snow ball. Spread the cheese mixture over the tomatoes.

5 Place in oven and bake until browned and bubbly, anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes.  (It took about 35 minutes for mine to get good and bubbly)

Yield: Serves 6.

Stoker How To Videos

How to videos on operating the Stoker Automatic Temperature Control device on my smokers.
Informational only for me. 


Calibration

Initial Set up

Wiring to a PC

Stoker Log

Wireless Network

Wireless Access w/o iNet Access

Quen For Kids BBQ Comp Results

Four Q Competed in the 4th Annual Quen For Kids BBQ Comp this past weekend.  This competition also included a Ranchers Reserve Beef Cup event.  I entered this event with sirloin marinated with Asian inspired ingredients, cubed and grilled on skewers with cubed fruits.  I placed 2nd which came with a nice paycheck presented to me by the event's "Mr BBQ", Brian Z.

In the main categories we placed an overall 22 out of 55 teams.  Not a great showing despite some veey good turn ins if i say so myself.  Chicken-25th, ribs- 28th, pork 12th, brisket 28th.

Noteworthy for this event was that four California female head cook teams (including me) cooked solo in this competition.  I'm honored to be amonst these ladies- Butcher's Daughter, Woodhouse BBQ, Smoked to the Bone and Four Q.

COMPLETE RESULTS:
Grand Champion: When Pigs Fly BBQ
Reserve Champion: The Rub Company
Overall:

1 When Pigs Fly BBQ

2 The Rub Company

3 Huminie's Hogalicious BB

4 BLQUE Cuttin Edge Qn

5 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ

6 Dead Pig Walking

7 Bigmista's Barbecue

8 All Sauced Up

9 Master of Disaster

10 Left Coast Q

11 Big Poppa Smokers

12 Smokey Bones BBQ

13 Brazen BBQ

14 T & J Backyard BBQ

15 Butcher's Daughter BBQ

16 Rib Tickler BBQ

17 Big Daddy's Q'N Crew

18 Pete's Firehouse BBQ

19 Smoked To The Bone

20 Who's Smokin' Now

21 Rancho Rocke

22 Four Q

23 The Rib Doctor

24 All Hogs Go to Heaven

25 Whiskey Ranch

26 Woodhouse Barbecue

27 Tropical Heat BBQ

28 Big Aces BBQ

29 Sausage-Fest BBQ

30 El Fuego Fiasco

31 7 Kinds Of Smoke BBQ

32 Meat, Inc.

33 Carnivorous Habits

34 Freddy Ray's BBQ

35 Chillin N' Grillin BBQ

36 Big Rick & The BBQ Chick

37 Schlemdawgs BBQ

38 Baby Roo's BBQ

39 Dads Doing What They Lov

40 Inhale BBQ

41 Daddy O's BBQ

42 Knock UR Sox Off BBQ

43 Pyros Tyros

44 Schwein Crue BBQ

45 Slow N' Low Smokehouse

46 QUE-N AND BREW-N

47 Smoke It All Night

48 GB's BBQ

49 3 Men & a Smoker

50 The Q

51 Blowin' Smoke

52 Pork Butt Pirates

53 Bar JH Bar-B-Q

54 Rack' em and Smoke' em

55 Ho Daddy BBQ & Grill

Chicken:

1 The Rub Company

2 Left Coast Q

3 Big Daddy's Q'N Crew

4 Butcher's Daughter BBQ

5 BLQUE Cuttin Edge Qn

6 All Hogs Go to Heaven

7 Smokey Bones BBQ

8 Huminie's Hogalicious BB

9 Dead Pig Walking

10 Big Poppa Smokers

11 Rancho Rocke

12 Pete's Firehouse BBQ

13 Master of Disaster

14 T & J Backyard BBQ

15 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ

16 The Rib Doctor

17 Schlemdawgs BBQ

18 Big Aces BBQ

19 Rib Tickler BBQ

20 7 Kinds Of Smoke BBQ

21 Woodhouse Barbecue

22 Big Rick & The BBQ Chick

23 Whiskey Ranch

24 Bigmista's Barbecue

25 Four Q

26 Meat, Inc.

27 When Pigs Fly BBQ

28 Freddy Ray's BBQ

29 Smoke It All Night

30 3 Men & a Smoker

31 Who's Smokin' Now

32 Schwein Crue BBQ

33 All Sauced Up

34 Sausage-Fest BBQ

35 Inhale BBQ

36 Chillin N' Grillin BBQ

37 El Fuego Fiasco

38 QUE-N AND BREW-N

39 Baby Roo's BBQ

40 Dads Doing What They Lov

41 Knock UR Sox Off BBQ

42 Pork Butt Pirates

43 Brazen BBQ

44 Tropical Heat BBQ

45 Smoked To The Bone

46 Bar JH Bar-B-Q

47 Carnivorous Habits

48 Daddy O's BBQ

49 Slow N' Low Smokehouse

50 The Q

51 Ho Daddy BBQ & Grill

52 Pyros Tyros

53 Rack' em and Smoke' em

54 Blowin' Smoke

55 GB's BBQ

Ribs:

1 All Sauced Up

2 When Pigs Fly BBQ

3 BLQUE Cuttin Edge Qn

4 The Rub Company

5 Dead Pig Walking

6 Tropical Heat BBQ

7 Big Daddy's Q'N Crew

8 Huminie's Hogalicious BB

9 Whiskey Ranch

10 Brazen BBQ

11 Master of Disaster

12 T & J Backyard BBQ

13 Big Poppa Smokers

14 Pete's Firehouse BBQ

15 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ

16 Bigmista's Barbecue

17 Inhale BBQ

18 Woodhouse Barbecue

19 Sausage-Fest BBQ

20 Dads Doing What They Lov

21 Who's Smokin' Now

22 Meat, Inc.

23 7 Kinds Of Smoke BBQ

24 Carnivorous Habits

25 Daddy O's BBQ

26 Rib Tickler BBQ

27 The Rib Doctor

28 Four Q

29 Knock UR Sox Off BBQ

30 Left Coast Q

31 Smoked To The Bone

32 Baby Roo's BBQ

33 Slow N' Low Smokehouse

34 Rancho Rocke

35 Butcher's Daughter BBQ

36 El Fuego Fiasco

37 Freddy Ray's BBQ

38 Smokey Bones BBQ

39 Blowin' Smoke

40 All Hogs Go to Heaven

41 3 Men & a Smoker

42 GB's BBQ

43 Schwein Crue BBQ

44 Big Aces BBQ

45 Smoke It All Night

46 Chillin N' Grillin BBQ

47 Pyros Tyros

48 The Q

49 Rack' em and Smoke' em

50 QUE-N AND BREW-N

51 Schlemdawgs BBQ

52 Big Rick & The BBQ Chick

53 Pork Butt Pirates

54 Bar JH Bar-B-Q

55 Ho Daddy BBQ & Grill

Pork:

1 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ

2 Smokey Bones BBQ

3 Smoked To The Bone

4 Huminie's Hogalicious BB

5 When Pigs Fly BBQ

6 BLQUE Cuttin Edge Qn

7 Big Poppa Smokers

8 Bigmista's Barbecue

9 Big Rick & The BBQ Chick

10 T & J Backyard BBQ

11 Butcher's Daughter BBQ

12 Four Q

13 Whiskey Ranch

14 Dead Pig Walking

15 Brazen BBQ

16 El Fuego Fiasco

17 Carnivorous Habits

18 Sausage-Fest BBQ

19 All Sauced Up

20 Left Coast Q

21 The Rub Company

22 Freddy Ray's BBQ

23 7 Kinds Of Smoke BBQ

24 Big Aces BBQ

25 Master of Disaster

26 Who's Smokin' Now

27 GB's BBQ

28 Dads Doing What They Lov

29 Tropical Heat BBQ

30 Chillin N' Grillin BBQ

31 Rancho Rocke

32 All Hogs Go to Heaven

33 The Rib Doctor

34 Big Daddy's Q'N Crew

35 Baby Roo's BBQ

36 Schlemdawgs BBQ

37 Rib Tickler BBQ

38 Woodhouse Barbecue

39 Meat, Inc.

40 Pyros Tyros

41 The Q

42 Pete's Firehouse BBQ

43 Smoke It All Night

44 Daddy O's BBQ

45 Slow N' Low Smokehouse

46 Knock UR Sox Off BBQ

47 3 Men & a Smoker

48 Ho Daddy BBQ & Grill

49 QUE-N AND BREW-N

50 Blowin' Smoke

51 Schwein Crue BBQ

52 Rack' em and Smoke' em

53 Inhale BBQ

54 Pork Butt Pirates

55 Bar JH Bar-B-Q

Brisket:

1 When Pigs Fly BBQ

2 Bigmista's Barbecue

3 Brazen BBQ

4 Rib Tickler BBQ

5 Master of Disaster

6 All Sauced Up

7 Big Aces BBQ

8 Dead Pig Walking

9 Left Coast Q

10 Pete's Firehouse BBQ

11 Who's Smokin' Now

12 Chillin N' Grillin BBQ

13 All Hogs Go to Heaven

14 Woodhouse Barbecue

15 Huminie's Hogalicious BB

16 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ

17 Rancho Rocke

18 The Rub Company

19 Smoked To The Bone

20 Smokey Bones BBQ

21 The Rib Doctor

22 El Fuego Fiasco

23 Tropical Heat BBQ

24 Meat, Inc.

25 Pyros Tyros

26 Schlemdawgs BBQ

27 Butcher's Daughter BBQ

28 Four Q

29 BLQUE Cuttin Edge Qn

30 Carnivorous Habits

31 Big Poppa Smokers

32 Sausage-Fest BBQ

33 Big Rick & The BBQ Chick

34 T & J Backyard BBQ

35 Daddy O's BBQ

36 7 Kinds Of Smoke BBQ

37 Freddy Ray's BBQ

38 Big Daddy's Q'N Crew

39 QUE-N AND BREW-N

40 Slow N' Low Smokehouse

41 Baby Roo's BBQ

42 Whiskey Ranch

43 Inhale BBQ

44 Schwein Crue BBQ

45 Knock UR Sox Off BBQ

46 The Q

47 Bar JH Bar-B-Q

48 GB's BBQ

49 Dads Doing What They Lov

50 Pork Butt Pirates

51 Ho Daddy BBQ & Grill

52 Rack' em and Smoke' em

53 Blowin' Smoke

54 Smoke It All Night

55 3 Men & a Smoker

Quen For Kids 2011 BBQ Competition

For More Information Click Here

Bakersfield BBQ Competition May 2011

This was the first competition I have done solo which means cooking all the four meats (chicken, ribs, pork shoulder and brisket) myself. Bakersfield's Biggest Baddest BBQ Championship 2011 proved to be a fantastic experience in that the judges scored me (Four Q) a 3rd in pork, 8th in chicken and a 10th in brisket for an overall 5th place out of 43 teams competing. (We won't talk about the ribs.)

3rd Place Pork trophy and certificates for 8th chicken and 10th brisket. Note the size of that 3rd place trophy -huge.

Cooking on two 18 in WSMs, one 22 in WSM and a Weber Kettle

Four Q Site

Shamless photo of me taken by me

Just A Little Political Humor

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

First Place Chicken at Sam's Club Comp- Sacramento, CA

Simply Marvelous takes the 1st place chicken trophy at the Inaugural Sam's Club Region 1 Sacramento BBQ competition. This was Big Brother Smoke's first time taking a first place award in chicken. I was very proud to be able to assist him in this comp. May I also say that that was some very tasty chicken.

Sam's Club Inaugural BBQ Comp Gilbert, AZ

Four Q competed in this inaugural Sam's Club BBQ Comp this past weekend. The top 7 teams move on to the region 1 finals to be held in Las Vegas in May. Needless to say, we didn't finish in the top seven but great fun in the cold wind and rain was had by all.

Shrimp and Grits

I was watching a cooking show on my favorite cooking network and got the craving for some Gulah style shrimp and grits. I'll just have to spin off the calories at the gym next week.

I don't really follow a given recipe but do use them as a base.

Shrimp and Grits


Grits (you can use Quick grits, polenta, stone ground grits, whatever you prefer) Follow package directions to prepare the grits.
Per each serving of grits, I added about about a quarter of a TB of butter.
I also added about a 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese to each serving of grits.

I had a dozen medium sized shrimp per serving (not sure what the count is per pound). Added hot sauce (to your heat tolerance) and about 2 tsp of lemon juice to shrimp. Set aside for a bit.

bacon- 2 slices per serving cooked til browned and crisp. Chop the bacon.

Reserved enough bacon fat to coat cast iron skillet.

Cooked sliced scallions (can sub onion if you wish) and a clove of minced garlic in bacon fat for about 2 minutes.

Then added the shrimp and 2 TB of chopped parsley.

It's done when the shrimp just turn pink.

The only added salt and pepper was in the grits. If you feel the need, you can season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add shrimp mixture to bowl of grits. Top with chopped bacon.

Enjoy

Lakeland, Florida BBQ Contest DQ Controversy January 29, 2011

This late turn in was ultimately disqualified (DQ'ed) resulting in the competitor who would probably have been the GC  (he took a 1st in ribs, 4th in chicken and a 2nd in pork and a DQ in Brisket.) coming in 64th out of 66 teams.  (see this late turnin on video starting at minute 2:55)

It initially appears that the rep for this contest accepted the box but the competitor was later informed that it was DQ'ed. 

The controversy on BBQ internet forum sites is because many believe that if there had not been video of this turn in would the well known competitor have been DQ'ed?  We'll never know.



From You Tube- Competitor Gets Disqualified For Being Late

Chicken and Seafood Paella

Last week while browsing around some of my favorite kitchen related stores, I found a great price on a 15 inch paella pan ($14.99).  It looked like a great bargain and I happened to not have this gadget in my extensive kitchen gadget inventory.  We invited some friends over for dinner Friday and this gave me the opportunity to try out my new pan.

While looking for recipes for paellas, I found there are quite a few variations.  I chose chicken and seafood as my main protein source.  The results can be viewed in the below slide show. 



I used a recipe from Food Network by Tyler Florence as a base to make the paella with some additions and deletions based on other recipes I found on the internet..  My choice of seafood varied from the main recipe and I did not add the peas or the tomatoes.  The main thing I learned is that you should not limit your creativity in selecting your protein ingredients, there is a lot of prep work to put together the paella and you will not be disappointed in the presentation.

The Ultimate Paella


Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence


.Prep Time:30 minInactive Prep Time:1 hr 0 minCook Time:1 hr 0 minLevel:

IntermediateServes:

4 to 6 servings. Ingredients

•Spice Mix for chicken, recipe follows

•1 (3-pound) frying chicken, cut into 10 pieces

•1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

•2 Spanish chorizo sausages, thickly sliced  (bacon also added)
•Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

•1 Spanish onion, diced

•4 garlic cloves, crushed

•Bunch flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, reserve some for garnish

•1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and hand-crushed  (not added)

•4 cups short grain Spanish rice

•6 cups water, warm

•Generous pinch saffron threads  (tumeric, cumin powder and paprika added also)

•1 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed (clam broth used instead)

•1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and de-veined  ( I also added salmon fillet slices)

•2 lobster tails (lobster claws used)

•1/2 cup sweet peas, frozen and thawed (not used)

•Lemon wedges, for serving

Special equipment:

•Large paella pan or wide shallow skillet

Directions

Rub the spice mix all over the chicken and marinate chicken for 1 hour in the refrigerator.



Heat oil in a paella pan over medium-high heat. Saute the chorizo until browned, remove and reserve. Add chicken skin-side down and brown on all sides, turning with tongs. Add salt and freshly ground pepper. Remove from pan and reserve.



In the same pan, make a sofrito by sauteing the onions, garlic, and parsley. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes on a medium heat. Then, add tomatoes and cook until the mixture caramelizes a bit and the flavors meld. Fold in the rice and stir-fry to coat the grains. Pour in water and simmer for 10 minutes, gently moving the pan around so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the liquid. Add chicken, chorizo, and saffron. Add the clams and shrimp, tucking them into the rice. The shrimp will take about 8 minutes to cook. Give the paella a good shake and let it simmer, without stirring, until the rice is al dente, for about 15 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, when the rice is filling the pan, add the lobster tails. When the paella is cooked and the rice looks fluffy and moist, turn the heat up for 40 seconds until you can smell the rice toast at the bottom, then it's perfect.

(My note: Make sure you taste for salt.  I found I needed to add quite a bit  )

Cook's note: The ideal paella has a toasted rice bottom called socarrat.



Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with peas, parsley and lemon wedges.





Spice Mix for chicken:

•1 tablespoon sweet paprika

•2 teaspoons dried oregano

•Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken; marinate for 1 hour, covered

1st Annual Wild West BBQ Showdown- New Year's Two Day Comp Wildomar

What a great way to spend the New Year's Holiday than at a two day BBQ competition.  Our results were not what we hoped for, but we sure did learn a lot about competing in the frigid cold. 

12/31/10 Results (First Day)
Grand Champion: All Sauced Up
Reserve Champion: Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ

Overall:
1 All Sauced Up
2 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ
3 Left Coast Q
4 Rhythm 'n Que
5 Big Creek BBQ
6 When Pigs Fly
7 4 Smokin' Butts
8 Simply Rocke'n BBQ
9 Brazen BBQ
10 Smokin Yankees BBQ
11 All Hogs go to Heaven
12 Birds Pit Crew
13 The Rub Company
14 Butcher II BBQ
15 5 J's BBQ
16 Smokin' Triggers
17 Rooftop BBQ
18 The Rib Tickler
19 The Rib Doctor
20 It Ain't Prime
21 Smokin Goatheads
22 Jerry King Midland Texas
23 Pork U BBQ
24 Papa's Smokehouse BBQ
25 Porketeers
26 Big B's Down-N-Dirty BBQ
27 Smitty's Smoke Patrol
28 Mad Dawgz BBQ
29 Route 66 Catering Crew
30 Crazy Pig BBQ
31 Bang A Drum
32 Bigmista's BBQ
33 Rolling Bones
34 Master of Disaster
35 West's Best BBQ Team
36 Meat Inc.
37 Big Jims
38 Smokin Hogs
39 T & J's Backyard BBQ
40 California BBQ Smokers
41 Montana BBQ
42 Gameover Cookers
43 Lloyds BBQ
44 Ribs A Rockin
45 Meteor Barbecueware

1/1/2011 Results (Second Day)
Grand Champion: Rhythm 'n Que
Reserve Champion: Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ

Overall:
1 Rhythm 'n Que
2 Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ
3 Route 66 Catering Crew
4 All Hogs go to Heaven
5 Smokin' Triggers
6 All Sauced Up
7 It Ain't Prime
8 Smokin Yankees
9 Brazen BBQ
10 The Rib Doctor
11 When Pigs Fly
12 4 Smokin' Butts
13 The Rib Tickler
14 Left Coast Q
15 Crazy Pig BBQ
16 Bigmista's BBQ
17 BLQUE Cuttin Edge Q'N
18 Smitty's Smoke Patrol
19 Jerry King Midland Texas
20 Big B's Down-N-Dirty BBQ
21 Rooftop BBQ
22 Papa's Smokehouse BBQ
23 T & J's Backyard BBQ
24 Rolling Bones
25 Roaming Bird BBQ
26 Smokin Goatheads
27 Simply Rocke'n BBQ
28 Bang A Drum
29 The Rub Company
30 Left Coast Smoke
31 California BBQ Smokers
32 Meat Inc.
33 West's Best BBQ Team
34 Mad Dawgz BBQ
35 Master of Disaster
36 Trailhound Smokers BBQ
37 Gameover Cookers
38 Pork U BBQ
39 Smoke Slayers
40 Ribs A Rockin
41 Big Jims
42 Get It While It's Hot
43 Meteor Barbecueware