Finding Amatuer Cookoffs???

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jtupper

Fire Starter
Original poster
Jul 10, 2013
64
12
Joplin, Missouri
I really like cooking in "backyard bbq" cookoffs more than the sanctioned events. They are a more relaxed and fun atmosphere where as a lot of the bigger stuff becomes overly snotty and stressed. I have been looking around to find some sort of calender of events or such just for these types of cookoffs but have had a hard time finding them. I live in SW missouri and will drive to any of the surrounding states (OK, KS, AR, even north TX) to find these types of events but due to my work schedule need months notice most of the time. Usually by the time I hear about them on media it is too late for me to get there. How do you all find these events? Is there a collection anywhere? I think this would be good info for people just getting into competing without forking over the HUGE investment the bigger boys require.Thoughts?
 
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I can't answer but I would be interested in the answer. I live in PA but would travel to MD, VA, NJ, and NY...JJ
 
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If nothing else I would be for a forum board (with regional sub forums maybe) for cookoffs members can post when we here about them. Not sure what the MODs feel about this or if it is even doable?
 
THIS FORUM is exactly for that and members do post upcoming events but I do think, not frequently enough because the people only post the events they plan to attend. I hope somebody has another consistent source to supplement the great info provided on this forum...JJ
 
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just seems like there would be a better procedure, but maybe your right and it's more the direction people's post take. I for one will post anything around this area I find out. I hope more do as well
 
What if along with regional event listing, the moderators added an embedded Google Calendar and Map for each region so you could visually see events by map or date.
 
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What if along with regional event listing, the moderators added an embedded Google Calendar and Map for each region so you could visually see events by map or date.
If you know where to find lists or calendars and maps, let me know and I will pass it on...JJ
 
If you do a Google search for "embedded google map example", go to the 1st result, scroll down and look at "Marker Examples" this should give enough info to get started.Then, if you search "embedded google map example link to calendar" there is a result that talks about linking Google Calendar and Maps together. I don't know of listing of events like jtupper was asking for but it would allow users of SMF to add events and map them for the whole forum to see.
 
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I do know that the KCBS calendar has lots of Events listed in the different States....and all of them have Backyard folks competing too. You do not have to be a KCBS member to browse thru their site.

Also...in Alabama there is a State group...called ABA....Alabama BBQ Association. I have heard that other states have their own too. Could check that route too.

Kat
 
If you do a Google search for "embedded google map example", go to the 1st result, scroll down and look at "Marker Examples" this should give enough info to get started. Then, if you search "embedded google map example link to calendar" there is a result that talks about linking Google Calendar and Maps together. I don't know of listing of events like jtupper was asking for but it would allow users of SMF to add events and map them for the whole forum to see.
I tried to get a Google Map added on here a year ago, I did all the leg work and even offered to pay for it but I still haven't seen it!
 
If nothing else I would be for a forum board (with regional sub forums maybe) for cookoffs members can post when we here about them. Not sure what the MODs feel about this or if it is even doable?
I have asked a mod in the past about creating a section for competition cooks to discuss general comp cooking, post results and such, but have never received any input back on it.  There are any number of other forums on the web that are comp based and have great insights into upcoming events and in depth discussions on methods and techniques for comp cooking.

As Kathryn stated, KCBS has a number of events each year with backyard contests along side their main events.  The backyard events are just 1 day and you cook ribs and chicken, the faster meats, I think.  Other than that, it is a matter of searching the web, local papers, and regional or state BBQ societies.  Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, have a number of contests each year sanctioned by the IBCA, typical $125 entry fees, cooking chicken halves, spare ribs, and brisket.  Every once in awhile, you'll find one also doing pulled pork, but very few. These events range from some as small as 10 teams up to well over 150.  I personally cook IBCA events and enjoy every minute of it.  As you cook more often, you begin to see the same people and get to know them better, not to mention meeting the new folks and starting new relationships, even if they are just at comps.  I make it a regular Saturday morning routine to make the rounds of al the cookers and wish them good luck as the day gets started.  Lots' of fun.
 
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I have cooked ibca events in the past and am currently a kcbs member. the two problems here are ibca hovers around Texas and doesn't make its way up to missouri very often. there are a few contest in Oklahoma but usually still a 6-7 hour distance from me. I just personally am fed up with the professionalism of KCBS. it's not fun for me anymore. I want to get together with guys and shoot the s*** and cook some bbq. bragging rights or charity is cool. I'm not looking to spend thousands to buy retired so and so a 150k motor coach so they can hear there name called every weekend. for me KCBS is getting to be a selection to few who know the secrets and it cost way to much to even try to get in that group. it's just not my thing.
 
and thanks for the st Louis link. I will check it out when I get to a computer since it's a flash site and I'm on my phone(hence the punctuation)
 
Our church is going to have a BBQ contest coming up in september the first weekend after labor day.  This will be the third year for it.  Very low key and fun.  first year there were seven teams and   last year there were 13 teams.  Hopefully there will be more this year.  I think they want to make it a sanctioned event but I know that is not happening this year.  It is in Topeka, Kansas, it will start on Friday and end on Saturday.  They are having a meeting this upcoming Monday, so I should know more about it then.  I believe entry fee will be $50 and you supply your own meat.  In the past, the categories were Pork butt, Chicken, ribs, and then chefs choice.  If you have any other questions let me know.

Aaron
 
I have cooked ibca events in the past and am currently a kcbs member. the two problems here are ibca hovers around Texas and doesn't make its way up to missouri very often. there are a few contest in Oklahoma but usually still a 6-7 hour distance from me. I just personally am fed up with the professionalism of KCBS. it's not fun for me anymore. I want to get together with guys and shoot the s*** and cook some bbq. bragging rights or charity is cool. I'm not looking to spend thousands to buy retired so and so a 150k motor coach so they can hear there name called every weekend. for me KCBS is getting to be a selection to few who know the secrets and it cost way to much to even try to get in that group. it's just not my thing.
It is to an extent being commercialized, but that is what KCBS wants to do.  The guys you speak of are doing it nearly full time though, cooking 20 to 35 contests a year.  Most are retired with a hell of a retirement and also supplement their income with cooking classes, rubs, sauces, not to mention healthy sponsorships.  We don't see KCBS down here very much and really could care less, IBCA is king here in Texas.  Much more relaxed atmosphere for sure. 
 
I agree.  I think the calendar thing would be a fantastic idea!  I live in SE WI, and the closes competition, that I know of, is Grillin in Grafton (which I know is KCBS sanctioned, and not amatuer.)

I think the amatuer competitions would be fun, and a great way to meet new quers!
 
Is there a way to search members by location? That could be useful as well to find people who are close to us we could start friendly competitions with. I'd be I interested in doing like a monthly chicken or ribs competion with those members located around here for example. We could move it around and just play for braking rights or whatever. Or at least something like that. Cheap fun and an easy way to get members together and cook.
 
The map markers can be configured so that a KCBS is one color, MBN is another color, amateur style could be yet another color. Also, there could be a pulldown menu or button to show only 1 style of contest at a time. Then there could be an "export" button to allow you send a particular contest to your own personal calandar.S2K9K, what else can we do to make this happen? If you made the offer to pay for it and it still did not happen, what do you think is the holdup?
 
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