The Pickled Pig's 2009 Kearney Pics

[The Big Pig]

We competed in the Kearney, MO contest this weekend. The contest had 60 teams this year, or 71% more than last year's 35 teams. As usual, we had a lot of fun and got to talk to quite a few friends as well as meet new ones.

For the most part, things went well. We seemed to "click" and function smoothly. Our food was okay and we finished 4th overall. The turkey turned out very well and was our best entry earning a 2nd place. We ended up getting 10th in ribs and 5th in pork.

Our chicken experiment didn't fare too well because we just didn't get the legs cooked enough. They were at 165F internal but really needed to be closer to 180F for proper tenderness. We would have done better leaving them out of the box and just turning in breasts like we did last week. But we did turn them in and they finished in 36th place. I think that's it for the lollipop experiment this year. Maybe we'll try them again next year.

Our brisket was pretty good but Kearney is always rough on our brisket. The brisket we turned in was cooked well, tender and juicy, and had good flavor but it came in 24th. The three 7's we scored on taste didn't help our cause much. So I think we can chalk up our frozen brisket success earlier in the year to coincidence. Using a frozen brisket may not help but I still think it doesn't hurt. Next year, we'll change up the flavor profile for this contest.

This was the weekend of the KCBS parsley ban so we used green leaf lettuce in all of our boxes. Our turkey entry was way too high and hit the top of the box. This probably cost us a 1st place in that category as we were just 2/10,000ths of a point behind the winner (172.5716 to 172.5714). Our chicken also hit the top of the box but that entry was bound for failure before the box closed. But overall our appearance scores seem normal. Out of 30 scores we had (12) 9s, (15) 8s, and (3) 7s. Every entry finished with an average of 8.0 or higher on appearance.

[crd26a]

Paul - How do you think the appearance scores were with the lettuce instead of your normal putting greens? Seem consistent or different?

[Bbq Bubba]

Outstanding boxes! You did a nice job using the lettuce.

The chicken looks pretty cool, is it a taste issue with the judges?

[The Big Pig]

Paul - How do you think the appearance scores were with the lettuce instead of your normal putting greens? Seem consistent or different?

I haven't entered the scores in my tracking spreadsheet yet but they seem pretty normal. Brisket was the lowest score on appearance with 778899 for an 8.0 average.

The chicken looks pretty cool, is it a taste issue with the judges?

The worst part about the lollipop experiment is that after two attempts, we still don't know how they would be scored if cooked properly. These had 90 minutes of cook time on the drum but we lost a lot heat momentum when putting them in the butter pan so they didn't get as done as we would have liked.

We don't have a problem getting them done on Friday nights and they sure do taste good then.

[RobKC]

The worst part about the lollipop experiment is that after two attempts, we still don't know how they would be scored if cooked properly. These had 90 minutes of cook time on the drum but we lost a lot heat momentum when putting them in the butter pan so they didn't get as done as we would have liked.

We don't have a problem getting them done on Friday nights and they suer do taste good then.

I think the butter pan is what overcooked our lollipops at Blue Springs. I let them sit in it too long. I try to cook them to 170, sauce one last time and put back on the rack until they hit 180. I'm going to give them a shot at the Royal. They will get a late broth and butter injection if they are a little dry.

[Finney]

Nice looking boxes Paul.
About how long did it take to make the lettuce "putting greens"?

[BBQ_Mayor]

Nice to meet you this weekend Paul. Congrats on your 4th place.
That turkey looks awsome!.

[Finney]

Did the turkey get the std chicken sauce?

[The Big Pig]

Nice looking boxes Paul.
About how long did it take to make the lettuce "putting greens"?

Wheatcountry made them. I think she said it was about 15 minutes per box but she can chime in when she reads this.

Did the turkey get the std chicken sauce?

We've been experimenting with BH/TR/Four Men and A Pig combo. In effect, we're swapping out the pineapple in our old sauce with the onion/garlic flavors of the 4 Men.

[Big Ugly]

Great looking boxes, Paul, congrats!