There are several Professional BBQ Circuits in the U.S. KCBS, Kingsford BBQ Pitmasters, etc. let alone the competitions that attract each one. From Memphis in May, American Royal, the World Series of BBQ, Houston Livestock Show and BBQ, and Jack Daniels World Championship, the list is considerable.
The Champions BBQ Alliance is another such venue. Champions Barbecue Alliance is an organization founded by barbecue cooks for barbecue cooks. "Being cooks we have heard what other cooks want from a sanctioning body and we are working to be the best barbecue organization out there." Located mostly in Texas, the competitions are no less fierce.
This event is their Super Bowl. It is also the 3rd biggest BBQ event in all of Texas. They hosted 187 teams. We have been playing hit and (mostly miss) with my old USAF friend, Archie Salinas and his brothers' BBQ team this far, but were determined to attend this one. Team A Ver Que Sale is a family team with my friend Archie Salinas and his brothers. Archie Salinas is an old USAF friend from our days in Oklahoma, Saudi Arabia, and around the world. We had previously met his brothers at the Chupacabra Cook Off last year in Hondo, TX.
They have placed well in many of the events they have entered including 2nd in Brisket at San Antonio Stock Show and BBQ Championships, Reserve Grand Champion San Juan, and Reserve Grand Champion Border BBQ Cook Off Weslaco among others.
We stayed at nearby Weslaco and commuted to nearby Mercedes, about 8 miles away. Another overnight day trip. We traveled down the morning of the 9th and attended the sanctioned competition on the 10th as well as the awards ceremony.TURN IN TIMES
Chicken 11:00 AM
Pork Spareribs 12:30 PM
Pork 2:00 PM
Brisket 3:30 PM
Awards approximately 5:00 PM
Watching the competition
...and more
Turn in time
What a great day it was for all of us. Archie's family treated us like one of their own which led us to sampling some incredible BBQ chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket all day. They were hard working, yet gracious to a fault. They tolerated my thousands of questions as I am always learning. I came away with some new ideas to try.
In the end A Que Ver Sale finished 10th place in pork, but no other Top Ten Calls. BUT, in the final standings they finished 26th overall OUT OF 187 teams! Pretty damned impressive. The season is just starting for them. I look for some more tasty results. Congratulations to the entire family and it was great to see you again, Archie.
"Barbecue is the poetry of the South. It is its own art form"
Myron Mixon
WiFi provided by AT & T Wireless
No comments:
Post a Comment