KCBS Montana Pitmaster Classic

      Welcome to the 1st Annual Montana Pitmasters Classic, the first and only Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) sanctioned BBQ event in Big Sky Country.  Pretty much the State BBQ Championship.  There is still over $12,000 in prize money, championship points, and plain old braggin' rights at stake here.  We discovered this quite by accident online and it fit our schedule without much adjustment.  BBQ, Bozeman MT, and the Best of the West.  There isn't really any boondocking here close.  We were unable to get into the first 3 parks we tried, Bozeman filled up quickly for this.  We set up camp at Bear Canyon RV Park. 

      Bozeman has bittersweet memories for us as this is where we stayed several years back during the sudden, unexpected loss of our pets Bodhi and Dharma.  It is such beautiful country.  Good people live here. bearcanyoncampground.com/ Bear Canyon is located just east of Bozeman on the west slope of Chestnut Mountain near the pass.  A very nice, scenic park, but a bit pricey at $49/night.  

     This is a two day Masters Series BBQ Contest.  A Master Series requires teams to cook 4 meats (Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork Butt, & Brisket). The cooking source at a Master Series shall be of wood, wood pellets or charcoal. KCBS Rules and Regulations apply. Master Series are eligible for American Royal and Jack Daniels World Championship, upon meeting qualifying criteria. In addition, all teams who participate in a Master Series earn points towards KCBS Team of the Year awards presented at the annual banquet.  This is BIG TIME, the Real Deal.  www.eventbrite.com/e/montana-pitmaster-classic-contestant-pre-registration-tickets-36281887101   Additionally, any and all teams may sell any food item or product during the BBQ N Blues Night.  30% will go to the Gallatin Valley Y.M.C.A. which will be a tax deductible donation for that team. We bought a pack of $20 which entitled us to sample 4 different vendors.  

     Barb and I were ready, our first 'big time' KCBS event.  We arrived a day early in order to be sure to get tickets as well as do some long overdue laundry.  Priorities?   Tickets were NOT an issue as this is a sponsored and fundraising event.  Friday night was just chillaxin' with good blues and food.  Andre Floyd picked the stings and we ate.  Saturday the fun begins.

Schedule of Events - Saturday August 26th

---

11:55 AM - 12:05 PM

Chicken category is turned in and judging begins

12:25 PM - 12:25 PM

Pork Rib category is turned in and judging begins

12:55 PM - 1:05 PM

Pork category is turned in and judging begins

1:25 PM - 1:35 PM

Brisket category is turned in and judging begins

4:30 PM

Awards ceremony

     Saturday dawned bright, sunny, and warm once again.  Of course this meant Barb and I moved around quite a bit taking pictures whenever we could. It gets quite busy and stays that way.  There is always delicious food.   Pitmasters were always willing to share pieces of leftovers as they finished up their presentations to take to the judges.  We sampled some moist chicken and some of the best pork ribs I have ever had.  These cooks do like to smoke the meat with the BBQ sauce on during cooking.  The quality of food today is a hundred fold better than the fundraiser last night.  

      Congratulations to the Montana Outlaw BBQ Team that were awarded  2nd place in Brisket, 1st place in Pork, 3rd place in pork Ribs, 3rd place in Chicken, as well as Grand Champion.  It really was a great time; an unexpected detour from the route we initially planned.  Sometimes those are the best.  Although the food was good, I STILL MISS TEXAS BBQ.  We move on now north to the Little Belt Mountains and several days 'off grid' once again to chill, hopefully enjoy campfires, and eating well while watching the furbabies frolick in the Rockies.  Interested in a KCBS Tour Event in your area?  www.kcbs.us/events

"BBQ may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start"

Anthony Bourdain

WiFi courtesy of Bear Canyon RV Park