The Pickled Pig's 2009 Overland Park VFW Contest Pics

[The Big Pig]

We competed in the VFW BBQ contest in Overland Park this weekend. This was a large (44 teams) first year contest. They didn't have ice available which meant that every time we needed ice someone had to leave the venue (walk 2 blocks to a car, get the ice and drop it off, and walk back). They only had 15% CBJs and the prize money was pathetic for a contest this size. Our first place in pork was worth a whole $125. And they only gave out ribbons for the top 5 in each category instead of the top 10.

Once again, the wind provided all of the challenge we needed. And if you haven't heard me bitch about wind before, hear me now. Strong wind is the worst weather element those of us without RVs or trailers compete in. It makes everything we do difficult and fatiguing.

The organizers saw fit to place us in what was probably the single worst space they had. It was on top of a hill with no natural wind break. We arrived at the venue at 10AM on Friday and asked for a different spot but were told that wasn't possible. The 20x20 spaces were small and we couldn't get vehicles around the space on which to tie down so we opted to put our trailer inside the canopy and tie down to it. That didn't work and we lost our new 20 x 20 carport canopy to wind damage early on Friday and went without a canopy for the rest of the contest.

Our space was also one of a few placed on rocky gravel instead of grass or asphalt. It was uncomfortable to stand on and everything that touched the ground (including us) was covered in a fine dust.

We did get to hang out with some great BBQ folks and that made the whole weekend worthwhile. 4 Men and A Pig, KC Can Crew, and the Mokan Meatheads are always fun to be around.

Our team functioned much better this weekend. We had a good rhythm and operated smoothly even with some of the environmental issues we faced. All of our entries turned out like we wanted them to and that's about all we can control at a contest. The Pickled Pig finished 5th overall with a 1st in pork and 10th in brisket. We're still digesting the scoring but with so few CBJs it's difficult to interpret the erratic results.

Even though this contest is located a couple of block from home, I doubt we'll go back. There are well run simultaneous contests (2 other contests within 15 miles) in this area that we can do instead.

[Chappy]

They look great to me. We were just in a competition a few weeks ago in Florida. It was the first one for the organizers. There were a few glitches, but overall they did a good job. It was kind of funny when they started calling the backyard winners and giving money out. After about 4 places they realized the checks were made out to the pro division and they had to give the money back.

How did the chicken do?

I'm trying your technique right now.

[lwest99]

Chappy, The Chicken was either 12 or 13th. Paul has the sheets and can verify. I was pretty happy with it. To me it was very similar to what we turned in at the Pleasant Hill contest and that took first. If I were being critical of anything I might have had a little to much rub under the skin but not sure that was really a big deal. I only ate one piece of what we did not turn in but I was pretty happy with it. Everyone else also ate some of it and thought it was good so not sure.
The scores for chicken will a little erratic and we were one of the first people to turn in food. We are going to Belton next weekend and we will see how it does there. I am not ready to panic yet. Hope your chicken turns out good. Post some pics if you have time.

[Chappy]

Thanks. I just finished eating some. I really just wanted to see how the skin turned out...Pretty good. Much better than other chicken I had done. I need more flavor on it though. I just put some tasty licks original under the skin and on top. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.

Well congrats on the contest. They are fun, but you never know what the judges will like.

Is that your anything but? with the scooby snacks?

[Chappy]

I just noticed those fingers and nails there in the pics. Those are way to pretty to be messing with some BBQ, lol. I'm guessing they aren't Paul's. :)

[lwest99]

I would like to say they are Paul's but they are Dawn's. Dawn seems to be the anchor of the team. The scobby snacks were a 5 min attempt at a dessert entry. It is cream cheese with carmel and chocolate chunks on top. You dip the scobby snacks in it and eat is like jalapeno jelly over cream cheese. It is very good but not up to par with the cheesecakes people turn in. We finished second to last.

On the chicken the rub under the skin and on the underside is where the flavor comes from (and sauce) just be careful because it is easy to get to much.

[wheatcountry]

Hello from "nails"!

Again - the wind. Paul usually prompts me when he's ready to snap so I'll get the nails outta there, but couldn't afford to let the wind catch it at that point!

Those well-cleaned nails are tweezers and parsley-clamps at a BBQ

Scooby-snacks....Lee's girls love that snack and brought some to our Friday night dinner. When I discovered we had an entry box and no plan - the Scooby's seemed to be a fun - end of BBQ project. We had the ingredents - had the box, why let either waste?

It was a hoot to put together as a team, but, in retrospect, would rather have eaten at the end ... LOL

[Chappy]

So who is on your team. Any husband/wife on there? I can't get my wife to even come on Saturdays, mainly because we have a 7 month old, but I would love it i she came. Your team sounds like you have it down.

Now I want some scooby snacks!

[Sledneck]

ALl looks great but that pork entry looks exceptional. Damn Im jealous, i wish i could get my pork to come out like that.

[douglaslizard]

all looks great now im hungry and i just ate a leg quarter we did yesterday