2009 Wrap Up

Being that we have now started the 2010 season I figure it is time to wrap up the 2009 season. While we do plan on doing 8 events in 2010 we only attended three events in 2009. So here it is!
Western Canada BBQ Championships In Regina

This was our first competition. John drove down from Winnipeg, Colin from Yorkton, and I flew in from Ucluelet. Rob Reinhardt of Prairie Smoke and Spice helped us out and gave us a few cookers to use, one Drum, a kettle, and a WSM. From there we just assembled what we could and had at it! Things started sketchy when we couldn't find charcoal in all of Regina but we eventually did find some at a Wal Mart (the 3rd one we tried!), then the night improved with the Roughriders winning! Saturday morning we took our time and got all set up. Then had a dram (What choice is there!)

Here is John setting up......And here is the end result......(with Colin keeping us classy)

And here were our borrowed cookersBeing our first comp we were a little concerned about timing so we got the brisket and shoulder on early. We did the pork shoulder wrapped in banana leaves and with red clay salt. Cooked on the WSM.The brisket was coated in a coffee and cocoa rub and cooked on the drum.

The open category was Rabbit. Being the losers we are we didn't realize that you were supposed to have a platter and serve it as a meal. One team gave the judges beer, you have to know we wouldn't go that far! The beer is ours! I digress, we braised the rabbit on the kettle in apple cider and a few spices. The flavor was amazing, our presentation not so much!

Saturday night we had a little garlic and cheese bread and some nice wild boar that Colin brought down. No pictures though. We proceeded to have a couple more drams after which John pretended to go to the bathroom and went to bed, leaving Colin and I up to watch the cookers all night. While it was cold we did get to hug the smokers and sit in the worlds greates lawn chair!

Sunday morning was rib prep time.

Now our traditional breakfast, home cured maple bacon, homemade english muffins, eggs, and some havarti. (This is the best way to wake up, trust me!), oh and it's better than it looks.

Sunday morning saw the pork shoulder came off of the smoker and we finished it with a white wine and dried mushroom sauce.

And here is our pork turn in box, we only turned it pulled, overall the box needs a lot of work but for the first time......

And now our brisket turn in, this is a bad bad box.....

And our worst turn in of the day was chicken......We marianted it in a worcy sauce mixture. We tossed it on the drum and then CBC interviewed us. Now one was looking at the chicken and there was a FIRE FIGHT! ot pretty burnt chicken turned in.

And our final turn in, ribs.......really needs to be cleaned up!

And finally our friend Rob from Prairie Smoke and Spice wone the Grand Champion

Overall we had a pretty good time at our first comp. The results were bad but what the heck it's about good friends and good food! Our finish was 12th out of 16 teams. Still we did manage 5th in Pork and 7th in Brisket. Our chicken was last, no big surprise and the ribs were middle of the road. Always could be worse!