Bill,
Just wanted to take a minute to say hi and let you know my family and I just got back from Memphis in May.We got their about 5:30 Friday evening and to be honest I was really disappointed. It wasn’t anything like I expected, especially when you watch the Food Network. Maybe that was a little stupid on my part. I thought it would be a more family like atmosphere,but it seemed like a big private party in a lot of ways. Maybe its just me but it wasn’t what I expected. I was hoping to buy your book but could not find your booth, but I will be sending you a check to get a copy.Thanks for your newsletter and I will look forward to getting a copy of Competition BBQ Secrets.Was Chatham Artillery BBQ at Memphis in May this past weekend.
Thanks Al
Al:
No… we were not there. We mainly compete in Georgia, Alabama, SC, and FL. I would like to go next year though! BBQ teams are there to compete and are really busy especially on Saturday morning. And… they are not allowed to sell BBQ unless they are a vendor. It’s not really that much of a spectator event unless you know one of the teams and can sit with them and drink a beer or two. That’s where the fun is – competing.
Thanks,
Bill Anderson
Hi Bill,
My son & I flew into Memhis from NY. We attended Memphis In May on Thurs. & Sat. It was extremely disappointing. Very commercialized. Most of the competitors we met were sponsored and the tents were by invitation only for their clients and customers. (Read: Tax write off).
We did try the People’s Choice judging. We waited in a long line to buy tickets & to get in. We were given five skimpy samples in a paper cup meant for pills. They should raise the price and give a more substantial sample. Everyone at our table agreed all samples were poor to fair. To eat, you had to buy from commercial vendors (trucks). Ugh! Terrible, except for the beer which was already in the can. They also charged $15 for parking and $7 entance fee to essentially walk alongside the Mississppi River.
Unless you live in Memhis and have nothing else to do, I’d recommend you skip this commercialized affair.
Best regards,
BBQ Bob
Bob:
I agree with you… the fun is in competing and being there with a BBQ team and participating in all the fun stuff like cooking, drinking, eating, and chatting it up with the other teams. You’re right on with the people choice judging – not much fun at all. I suggest you either become a judge or join in as a competitor. If you are a judge, you will literally stuff yourself with great BBQ and take a lot of it home. Being a judge also allows you to really learn what great BBQ is. Then, when you are ready to compete, you will be light years ahead of the competition – most of them will still not know what great BBQ is.
Bill
Bill:
I too made the trip to Memphis. I thought it was awesome, to see all of those elaborate set-ups and the many different styles of cookers. If you went before 2pm on Friday, like I did, it was free so it was not too disappointing. I did feel the commercialization of the event though. I have a copy of your book and have been making unbelievable BBQ for a few months now. I really wanted to talk to some of the competitors about competing but most areas had security guards or invitation only signs. I still got some very good ideas about a team name and set-ups. I would not reccomend an expensive trip to Memphis for this event, but if nearby, it is a must see attraction.
Doug