how to become a bbq champion

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How To Become a BBQ Champion

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Contents

1 . Are You A BBQ Champion? .............................................................................................................. 4

Learn All You Can ...................................................................................................................................... 4

What Are You BBQ-ing? ............................................................................................................................ 5

2. What Sets a Champion Apart? .......................................................................................................... 7

#1: Be Unique ............................................................................................................................................ 7

#2: Present Well ........................................................................................................................................ 8

#3: Dedication ........................................................................................................................................... 8

#4: Recipe .................................................................................................................................................. 9

#5: You want It More Than The Money .................................................................................................... 9

3. Start With The Basics ..................................................................................................................... 10

Meat Selection ........................................................................................................................................ 10

Meat PreparAtion ................................................................................................................................... 11

Temperature Control .............................................................................................................................. 11

Timing...................................................................................................................................................... 12

Repeatable Flavor Profile ........................................................................................................................ 13

Don't Forget The Presentation ................................................................................................................ 13

More Tips ................................................................................................................................................ 14

4. Design A Recipe.............................................................................................................................. 15

Your Cooking Method Matters ............................................................................................................... 15

Sauces and More Sauces ......................................................................................................................... 16

Tomato Based BBQ Sauce ....................................................................................................................... 16

Vinegar Based Barbeque Sauce .............................................................................................................. 17

How can you change up these great recipes for barbeque sauce? ........................................................ 18

Using Your Barbeque Sauce .................................................................................................................... 19

Stay Creative ........................................................................................................................................... 20

5. Food Safety And BBQ ..................................................................................................................... 22

From Store To Home ............................................................................................................................... 22

Thawing Safety ........................................................................................................................................ 23

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Marinating Tips ....................................................................................................................................... 23

Transporting Food Safely ........................................................................................................................ 23

Keep Surfaces Clean And Sanitary .......................................................................................................... 24

Precooking Food ..................................................................................................................................... 24

Cooking Properly ..................................................................................................................................... 25

Serving And Keeping It Hot ..................................................................................................................... 25

How About Smoking? .............................................................................................................................. 26

6. Practicing methods ........................................................................................................................ 27

Practice Makes Perfect ........................................................................................................................... 27

Feedback and Questions ......................................................................................................................... 28

Time Management .................................................................................................................................. 28

MOre Practice Tips .................................................................................................................................. 29

7. Your Plan and Gear ........................................................................................................................ 30

Having A Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 30

Your Gear ................................................................................................................................................ 31

Packing It UP ........................................................................................................................................... 33

8. The Competition Day ..................................................................................................................... 34

Competition Day One .............................................................................................................................. 35

The Second Day ....................................................................................................................................... 36

Keep In Mind ........................................................................................................................................... 37

9. Tips for Success .............................................................................................................................. 39

10 Tips to keep You Winning! ................................................................................................................. 39

10. Profiting From Championships ..................................................................................................... 41

Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 43


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1 . Are You A BBQ Champion?

he word BBQ Champion is not a name given out lightly. In fact, if you try to claim

this title, you should have some type of backup to help ensure that you are, in fact,

a person who deserves it. A plaque is often a good way to prove that you are worth

the title.

If you are passionate about BBQ, you can learn to become a champion. If you are the type

of person that has a passion for cooking pork, beef or even chicken with your homemade

BBQ sauce, then it is a good idea to consider taking on the task of learning to become a

champion. However, it is important to note that this is not an easy task and it can be one

that requires a great deal of time investment, monetary investment and a lot of practice.

The first step in that process is to learn as much as you can about BBQ and about

competing in a championship. If you have seen some of the championships displayed on

television, do not underestimate the work that goes into the preparation process. It is

work. If you are passionate though, and your family loves BBQ, you will not mind doing

the work to enter the championship ring.

Learn All You Can

The first step in becoming a BBQ champion is learning all that you can. Unfortunately, this

book is not large enough to provide you with all the wisdom that is available to you

through past champions. However, it is a good idea for you to spend at least some of your

time learning from the pros. Here are some ideas to help you to do just that.

1. Do take the time to interact on the many BBQ forums online

This is a great place to ask questions. The champions do frequent these boards and

are usually willing to help a new person to learn the ropes. However, be sure you

take the time to interact so that you can win their hearts! A few of the best are The

BBQ Brethren and BBQ Central.

T


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2. Read some of the books written by the pros

These BBQ champions have been competing for years. They have the ability to help

you to win by sharing in their secrets. There are dozens of books at your local

library offering this type of help. The books to consider are Paul Kirk's book and Dr.

BBQ's books.

3. Find out if there is a local BBQ association near you

Larger cities will have one for you to join. Join. Participate. Become involved in

these types of activities since they can offer you some of the best regional skills

available.

Now that you know where you can find a variety of resources to further your skill and

experience, it is time to get down to business. Just how can you win a few BBQ

championships? This book will provide you with the resources that you need to

accomplish just that and much more.

What Are You BBQ-ing?

Most BBQ champions actually have a specialty. It might be ribs or it might be pulled pork,

or another type. The key here is to have a specialty but to expand your abilities. Some

competitions allow you to enter multiple recipes into them while others are quite specific

about the championship.

What your first goal is, is to learn what contests are available in your regional area. This

is necessary because at first you will need the experience of cooking under pressure. You

also need the experience of cooking BBQ outside of your comfort zone, in someone else's

kitchen or even if your county's state parks and fairgrounds. This is the place to start

though. You need this experience.


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To find these types of contests to join, do the following:

◉ Check with your local cities and counties and determine if there are any scheduled

BBQ championships in the upcoming year. Most are planned well in advance. Learn

the date of the competition as well as the entry rules. You will need six months to

a year for your first entry.

◉ Check out those local forums. This is also a great place to start a conversation about

BBQ competitions if your local area does not offer them. Get your regional officials

involved if you cannot find others to help you.

◉ Once again, turn to those BBQ associations that are locally operated. This is the

prime place for finding information on the competitions that are up and coming.

Competitions are growing around the world. You will find them for chicken, beef, pork

and even side dishes and baked goods. There is no limit to the amount of opportunity

available to you today. Your only task is to determine where your local championships are

occurring so that you can get involved.


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2. What Sets a Champion Apart?

Before going further, there are a few things to consider about yourself. As a BBQ judge,

the goal is to look for a few things:

◉ Which BBQ tastes the best?

◉ Which product is the most unique?

◉ Which recipe simply stood out?

It is not all about having the best BBQ of the day, but having something that is memorable

to the judges. In some competitions, there will be dozens of people who will compete, if

not hundreds. The judges will taste numerous recipes. If yours is to win, it needs to stand

out as the best. That is a tall order for any chef.

Before learning how to become a champion, consider these necessary ingredients for the

BBQ Champion.

#1: Be Unique Being unique is perhaps the most important factor and it is the most difficult as well. What

does it take to be unique in this type of competition? Numerous things do.

Start out by improving your BBQ recipe in some way. If you are using a jarred sauce and

a standard cooking method, chances are good that your recipe is going to fall flat.

Here are some ideas to help you to be unique.

1. Add a special ingredient to your recipe that seems outrageous but gives your recipe

that extra something that the judges will remember.


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2. Choose a cooking method that is not standard. There may be some rules that need

to be followed here, which is why you definitely want to check out which contests

are happening before you start to do this.

3. Be sure that your recipe has a good flavor to it. This means that the meat itself

should be flavorful, not just coated with a sauce.

Being unique means standing out. It means trying on a variety of things and thinking

outside of the box. Now, for even more tips on how to do this you should keep reading.

#2: Present Well The eyes are the first part of your body to eat a meal. It sounds strange but the fact is that

presentation makes a difference. In many competitions, this is also, where you will find

the most area for improvement. Most competitors do not spend enough time presenting

their food in an appetizing manner.

The key ingredients here should be presenting in a manner that is appropriate and within

the rules of the contest and finding a way to stand out from the others. You may want to

get a little flashy, but remember that whatever method you use needs to be a stand out

method without a doubt, but it should not out do your recipe!

#3: Dedication There are many stories of people who, out of a whim, decided to enter a BBQ

championship without any planning and preparation. However, these are not the people

that walk away with cash prizes, invitations to other competitions and winner's plaques.

If you want to be a true champion, you will need to stand out from all of the rest.

It starts with dedication. You will need to dedicate yourself to the art of BBQ. You will test

hundreds of recipes. You will eat a lot of BBQ over the next few months. You will also

need to have time, weekly at least, to test recipes and to work on your cooking methods.

Dedication is a key ingredient in the recipe for a BBQ champion.


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#4: Recipe Your recipe is going to be an important player in the success of your championship bid.

However, you do not have to be a professional cook to create your own recipe. In fact,

your recipe can be as simple as you like or as complex as you like. It just has to be your

own and it has to be good.

Within your recipe, consider the following:

◉ Your cooking method: smoking, roasting, etc; this is part of your recipe.

◉ The type of meat product you will use within your recipe and its flavor.

◉ Your sauce.

Each of these elements is a unique component but each one is equally important in your

recipe. Ensure that you give each one the amount of time necessary to be successful.

Later, we will help you to create that perfect recipe.

#5: You want It More Than The Money Those who tend to win BBQ championships do so because they want to win for the ability

to claim a title. This ties into being dedicated, but a true passion for the sport is necessary.

Many of the championships do offer a monetary reward for those who win. However, this

should not be the focal point of participating in the competition. No matter how badly

you want the money, you have to want to win for the title more.

Now you know what goes into being a BBQ champion. Do you have what it takes?

If you think so, it is time to start your training!


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3. Start With The Basics

To become a BBQ champion, you will need to focus on the basics. That means spending

most of your time on these areas since the combination of them is what equates to a win.

Although, you have a variety of ideas of how to BBQ now these aspects will define you as

a winner.

Work through this chapter by determining what your recipe offers. Does your recipe offer

the best option available? Are there any changes that you need to make to improve your

recipe?

Meat Selection Meat selection may seem like a simple topic, but it plays an important role in your ability

to win. It is truly up to you to select the type of meat to use in your recipe, because each

recipe will be unique.

First determine if there are any limitations on the type of meat you select based on the

contest that you plan to enroll in. Some contests will have very specific requirements here

while others will be just general BBQ contests. In either case, you do not want disqualified

for using the wrong product.

Here are some tips for meat selection:

◉ Select a meat that has its own level of flavor. This often means a fattier meat than

a lean meat.

◉ Remember that juicy meat is also an important factor. You want the finished

product to be succulent for the judges.

◉ Select a type of meat that cooks well in the method you plan to cook it in. Your

recipe specifically should conform to the type of meat you select and the cooking

method.


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◉ Avoid a meat that is too grisly, expensive or too fatty.

◉ Try a number of meat cuts. You may even want to talk to your butcher about their

opinion on the best product for your particular needs.

Meat PreparAtion Meat preparation is also an important factor. How do you plan to prepare the meat for

your recipe? It may be that you are looking for a smoked flavor. It may be that you are

planning to grill the meat.

◉ Select a cooking method that meets with any requirements of the contest itself.

Determine if there are any types of cooking methods specifically excluded from the

competition.

◉ Factor in the equipment that you will have available to you. You want to be sure

that the equipment available is similar to what you are using to practice with!

◉ Consider a cooking method that is safe for both you and for those who are eating

your product. It is important to choose a cooking method that you know you can

do perform well. In addition, it needs to provide a foolproof method of preparation

of the meat. That means ensuring that the meat reaches the appropriate

temperature as needed.

Temperature Control Another aspect that needs to be kept in mind as you plan for your BBQ recipe is your

ability to maintain the property temperature. For example, if you are cooking over an

open fire, maintaining the temperate is much harder than over a stove. It is also important

for you to be able to maintain the proper temperature if you are cooking on a grill.

Learn the medium necessary for preparing your BBQ dish, if there are any requirements.

Focus on practicing how to control the temperature during the competition. You may

want to consider thermostats and other tools that can actually help you to keep an eye

on this.


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Of course, this also implies that you have determines what the right cooking temperature

is for your dish. This, again, will take some practice to get right. Once you do get it right,

you will want to maintain it properly.

Temperature control is important both for food safety as it is for your final finished

product. Keep an eye on a thermometer throughout the process.

Timing As you work on practicing for the championships, one thing you do want to focus on is

your timing. You might thing four to six hours is plenty of time for you to get your dish in

the hands of the judge, but no matter how much you practice, chances are good you will

run out of time.

Many factors affect your time, by the time you get started on competition day, any of the

following things can occur to mess up your timing:

◉ You find yourself with more work than you thought.

◉ The environment is new. This holds you back from moving as quickly as you

normally would within your own kitchen.

◉ You are nervous! You want to win, after all.

◉ Problems with equipment have hurt many contestants.

◉ Difficulties with the cooking process.

The best way to avoid these problems is to plan for them within your timing. You can do

this relatively easily by practicing, practicing and practicing even more.

Your timing will need to be so well planned that even problems with the cooking process

do not hold you back. Remember, you do not want to take on too much, but you also do

not want to run out of time or lose because you did not have enough.

Be sure that you give yourself extra time to win!


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Repeatable Flavor Profile One of the mistakes first time competitors deal with is the flavor control. In other words,

they often have a difficult time sticking with the flavor being the same both at home and

in the competition. This can be difficult since any of the above (or other) factors; can play

a role in the outcome of the dish.

However, when you are creating your flavor profile, you want to have a recipe that is as

exact as it can be. A variety of factors can affect it, but if you have taken out all of the

guesswork, chances are good you will get as close as possible to the finished product you

are after. If you fail to prepare in advance, though, you may find yourself in a situation

without the opportunity to win.

One of the ways you can ensure that your recipe is going to carry the same flavor profile

from place to place is to prepare it in a number of different kitchens or cooking facilities.

You have tried it out ten times at home, but have you thought about a friend's kitchen?

Calibrations of your equipment can affect the taste outcome.

Also, document what you are doing when you are learning and preparing your dishes. For

example, determine how long you seared the meat, how much spice you added to the

dry rub and how much time you left it in the oven. Things like equipment can be

monitored since you can use thermometers to help you. Other factors are less

controllable.

Don't Forget The Presentation The presentation of your dish is just as important as the actual food itself. However, many

people fail to realize that they need to properly garnish their dish! This ends up costing

you points repeatedly.

What can you do?


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◉ Check the rules to know what is expected as well as how the dishes will be sent to

the judges.

◉ Plan to use a garnish that is colorful but not overly so. You want the dish to look

appetizing.

◉ Be sure to clean your plates after you add the food to it. If you fail to do this, you

fail to offer that perfect dish!

More Tips There are a few more things to keep in mind as you prepare to become the BBQ

champion.

1. Take notes and use them

Throughout the preparation and the planning, your detailed notes will help you to

remember everything that you have done. That way, you can have a cook log to

reflect on when it is that heat of the moment. In addition, notes taken during

competitions can also help you to see where you can make improvements for next

time.

2. Plan if you need help

If you do not need help or it is not allowed during the competition, that is no

problem. However, if you do need help, include them in the preparation process

from start to finish, including all of the initial planning. This can help to ensure they

are on the same page you are!

3. Spend time dedicated to your craft

Some people love to woodwork and others like football, but your passion has to

be BBQ if you hope to win a championship!

Now that you have the basics in mind, you can start working on your actual dish and the

planning for your event.


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4. Design A Recipe

The good news is that we can provide you with a few tips to help you to create a recipe

that is a winner. The bad news is that no good BBQ champion gives away all of their

secrets. More so, you need to create your own recipe if you are to stand out in the field.

The recipe creation process is one that includes a variety of steps. In short, you need to

brainstorm to get ideas. You also need to do some research and planning. Then there is

the process of practicing! That is no easy task in and of itself. Finally, you will need to taste

test and start the entire process over. You will know when you get the right recipe. It will

be the one you know is the winner.

Your Cooking Method Matters The method of cooking transforms the meat. The heat changes the texture and the flavor

of the meat, of course. However, each method of cooking offers a different type of taste

and texture. Your job is to get it right.

A good example is this is smoking meat. If you are planning to use a smoker, there are a

few things to remember:

◉ The smoker itself leaves a unique flavor in the meat, which many find appetizing.

However, this does adjust your flavor profile some.

◉ Different types of wood add different types of flavor. Within your recipe, find the

combination of woods that work for you.

◉ Time is critical with smoking, as is temperature monitoring.

Of course, smoking your BBQ is not the only options and some traditionalists may not

even like this method. No matter what type of cooking method you use, everything from

the temperature to the fuel you use to heat it affects the flavor.


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Try to keep your cooking method in line. Standardize this when you are preparing your

dishes. If you plan to use a smoker, for example, be sure that you keep the smoker the

same throughout.

Also, find out if your cooking method is going to be an option when you come in to

compete. Most contests have rules about the cooking equipment used.

Sauces and More Sauces BBQ would not be barbeque if it were not for the sauce used. However, most people do

not realize the real potential of the sauce that they use. The type of sauce, the content of

that recipe…and even the amount you place on your meat plays a role in the overall

effectiveness of your dish.

Getting your sauce right is one of the more difficult of the tasks that you will have. While

you can find numerous recipes for barbeque sauce available online, you need to perfect

those sauces. Here are some sauce tips and recipes that you can later adjust. Remember

to adjust them!

Tomato Based BBQ Sauce For this recipe, gather the following ingredients:

◉ One standard can of tomato sauce, your favorite brand

◉ One small can of tomato paste

◉ 2 Tablespoons of olive oil

◉ 2 Tablespoons of vinegar

◉ 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar

◉ 4 Tablespoons of minced onion

◉ 1 Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

◉ 2 crushed cloves of garlic


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◉ 1 Tablespoon of dry mustard, your favorite version

◉ 1 Tablespoon of cayenne pepper

◉ 1 Tablespoon of ground pepper

To prepare this barbeque sauce, sauté the onion and the garlic together until soft, in the

olive oil over a low heat. Then, add in the other ingredients. Simmer this mixture for 20

minutes on a low temperature. Keep stirring regularly to prevent it from burning. You can

then refrigerate it to allow the flavors to develop.

Vinegar Based Barbeque Sauce For many, they love the vinegar style barbeque sauce. This is not a problem! Here is a

basic version of the recipe that you can tailor and adjust as you see fit.

◉ 1 ½ cups of apple cider vinegar (hint: this is a great place to change up flavors!)

◉ ½ cup of water

◉ 1 Tablespoon of paprika

◉ 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

◉ 1 teaspoon of salt

◉ 1 teaspoon black pepper

For this recipe, mix the brown sugar and the water together. Keep the heat low and stir

well. Keep it simmering for 30 minutes to 40 minutes. Then, add the other ingredients.

Again, keep the heat low and stir continuously. You will want to allow it to cool before

placing on your meats.


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How can you change up these great recipes for barbeque sauce? Keep your options open, but here are a few things to think about:

◉ Adjust the ingredients within. Add different combinations of the same ingredients,

to determine if you like the flavor profile again.

◉ Add different ingredients into the recipe. The spices are a great way to change the

flavor completely without changing the actual consistency of the sauce.

◉ Do change the consistency around. See what happens when you add a bit more

liquid.

◉ Look for older recipes that may not be as popular right now. They can add a nice

change of pace for the judges and may be just what you need to win them over.

Also, think about dry rubs or even mustard based rubs. The more creative you can be with

your sauce recipe the better your finished product will be when it is time for you to hand

it over!

One of the most important factors in the creation of your barbeque sauce is tracking what

you put into it and how it all works. These detailed notes are necessary because they will

be the basis of the changes you make. Whenever you cook for a different amount of time,

change the ingredients or even just change the application process, take note! You will

need to do this to ensure that you can repeat the flavor profile again!

It is not easy to create your sauce. And, for most people, it will take a long time to get it

right. However, many BBQ champions are made from their sauces. Take time and be sure

you put some love into it!


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Using Your Barbeque Sauce Making the recipe for your barbeque sauce really is only the beginning of the process. You

now need to get your sauce onto your meat.

One tip to keep in mind is that most sauces work well on a variety of meats. In fact, you

may want to create a barbeque sauce that works well on all varieties of meats you will

prepare. This way, you have a perfected sauce that you know can win the competition for

you. If you try to create five different sauces for five different meats, chances are good

that none of them will have that love and right mixture in them that will help you to win.

After focusing on just one sauce, there are a few other things to remember about your

BBQ sauce.

◉ Test out different application methods. Applying the sauce before, during and after

the cooking process may offer several ways to alter the taste profile. Determine

which method is best.

◉ How much sauce is applied is another factor to keep in mind. Some people like a

lot more sauce than others are. Consider offering an additional container of sauce

with your turned in BBQ dinner, too, to allow the taste testers to add more if they

would like to.

◉ Consider the application process itself. Will you use a brush? Will you slow cook

the sauce into the meat? Is basting better?

As you prepare your recipes, keep all of these aspects in mind. Give yourself options. Try

out different methods. This is how you will slowly develop a BBQ method that simply

works for you. Getting that sauce perfect will be well worth the work you put into the

process.


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Stay Creative When it comes to creating your BBQ sauce, many things play a significant role in the

process. However, if you do not win your first time out, you may want to consider some

changes to your sauce. Do so. Be as creative as you want. One of the mistakes that some

people make is to believe that their sauce is perfect just the way it is, even though the

judges have not actually said it was fantastic!

Also, keep in mind that flavor trends do tend to change. Over time, people's tastes

change. Even more so, new and exciting methods of cooking your BBQ will emerge. Do

not buck those trends! You could be costing yourself some of your competition.

Deciding between your favorite traditional, sauce and the new trends can be difficult. It

is easy to get frustrated here. However, you can improve your chances of winning by

simply putting the best sauce forward. Find a unique way to combine two recipes. Or,

select the one you believe has the heart to win. There is no rule that you have to follow

the specific trends out there, but you do want to consider them.

Part of the process of keeping your sauce and recipe successful is having the time and

ability to research and develop recipes. You need to leave your ego at the door, in other

words. Keep in mind that distinctive flavors can only add to your sauce. New cooking

methods just give you more options to select from.

And, use the information you find to make changes too. For example, imagine learning

that the judges just do not like a specific ingredient. You may want to tailor your recipe

to avoid that specific flavor. Learning from the trial and error of others will help you to

perfect your recipe and help you to get that much closer to the BBQ championship that

you are after.


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When you start going to competitions, one thing may be clear. Some people actually do

win by sticking to one thing and doing that one thing perfectly well. This is an option for

many winners. Getting to that point is important. Keep with the current trends and be

yourself. This combination can help you to create a winning recipe for BBQ that simply

stands out as the winner of all winners!


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5. Food Safety And BBQ

If you have ever gone to a BBQ competition before, you have seen some people do things

that make you worry. Is their food safe? Are they really going to serve that to the judges?

Food safety is an integral part of winning your competition. Before you can even start

preparing for this contest in full, you need to learn about food safety as well as how it

affects your operations on competition day.

There are a few things to remember about BBQ when it comes to food safety. Remember

that the way you handle that meat will translate into your recipe in some way.

From Store To Home The first concern you should have is purchasing healthy product and getting it from the

store to your home (or your competition site, depending on where you are cooking.) Cross

contamination (the spread of germs from one surface to another) is incredibly easy to do

in a kitchen. Here are some tips:

◉ Purchase well wrapped packages that are not leaking

◉ Work with a butcher that you know and trust

◉ Check the store's health reputation with the local board of health before buying

from them

◉ Keep raw meat away from any other product

◉ Go from the grocery store to your home, without any stops

◉ You need to keep all food that is perishable (like your meats!) cold. Refrigerate

within an hour of purchasing when the temperature is above 90 degrees.

Otherwise, you have less than two hours to get the product home and stored

properly.

◉ Freezing meat is an option, but you should never freeze product, thaw it and then

refreeze it


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Keep all goods cool at all times. Coolers can help you, but are only temporary solutions.

Do ensure the temperature within your refrigerator stays under 39 degrees and above 32

degrees.

Thawing Safety If you have stored your meat in a frozen state, you need to thaw it properly before you

use it. Thaw it within the refrigerator, on the bottom self in a pan. Sealed packages may

be thaws in a cold, running water. If you do use the microwave to defrost your meat, use

it right away. However, this is not the preferred method of preparing your meat.

Marinating Tips Some people do like to marinate their meat before BBQ. If so, do so in a refrigerated area.

It is a recommendation that you keep marinating safe by limiting it to no more than five

days for beef, veal, pork, lamb roast or steaks. Chicken should not be marinated more

than two days. Keep them within a covered container or sealed package during

marinating.

Transporting Food Safely Now that you have your meat ready to go, how do you get it there safely? Most

competitors will tell you that for long distance competitions, they head to a butcher local

to the actual event to purchase their meat. It is difficult to transfer product long distances,

safely and inexpensively.

However, for local transportation, you do have some options. Use an insulated cooker

that has enough ice to keep the food at 40 degrees or below. Anything above this level

allows bacteria to grow. Use a thermometer in the cooler to maintain this temperature.

Once you get the food to the destination, keep it cold. Avoid placing the food in direct

sun. You also want to keep the lid of the cooler closed as much as possible to trap the

cold air in. Be sure to use the drain on the cooler to allow melted water to drain safely

out of the container. Replace the ice as necessary.


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Keep Surfaces Clean And Sanitary Keeping your work surfaces and tools clean on the day of your competition will be

difficult. Be sure to make this an important part of your practice and preparation

throughout the weeks leading up to competition day, too. That way, you are in the habit

of keeping things in line on that day.

Raw meat contains bacteria you do not want to expose your guests to. However, the

cooking process will kill those bacteria. In order to prevent food borne illness, you want

to follow these tips:

◉ Wash your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before handling

any food or utensils.

◉ Use one cutting board for meat only. Color-code it red to help prevent transfers of

bacteria.

◉ Be sure that the facility that you are using has clean, running water for you to use

to wash.

◉ Be sure that you use only one set of utensils for raw product and fresh utensils for

food that is completed.

During the competition, be sure you have extra gear available in case things get dropped

to the ground or otherwise contaminated.

Precooking Food Precooking food is an option, though it is not usually allowed or recommended during a

BBQ competition. If you do plan to precook food, be sure that the proper temperatures

are met before anyone consumes the food.


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Cooking Properly No matter what method of cooking you use, most products need cooked thoroughly,

especially in this open-air environment. This is the only way to kill harmful bacteria in your

food. To know when your food is done properly, you need to ensure it reaches a specific,

minimum internal temperature. Just because it looks done on the outside does not mean

that it is done on the inside.

◉ For beef, veal, and lamb, steaks, roasts as well as chops, food needs cooked to at

least 145 degrees F.

◉ For hamburgers that are made of ground beef, cook the meat to an internal

temperature of at least 160 degrees F.

◉ For pork (all types) cook the meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

◉ For all poultry products, an internal temperature of 165 degrees F needs to be

reached.

Never serve grilled meats or poultries partially and finish them later. This simply does not

allow the adequate temperature to be reached.

Serving And Keeping It Hot Timing is critical in a BBQ competition. You want to ensure that the food you are preparing

is able to be safe from the time you finish cooking it until you get it to the judges. Here

are some additional tips to keep in mind.

◉ Place cooked food on clean platters.

◉ You can reheat food, but you do need to get it up to a temperature of at least 165

degrees F again, which is not usually recommended for a competition.

◉ Keeping food hot is necessary. After preparing it, keep it at least at 140 degrees F

or warmer until it is consumed.

◉ Place meat on the top shelf of a low oven to keep it warm if your timing is off.


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How About Smoking? Smoking meat is the process of cooking food indirectly from the presence of fire. It is a

type of cooking that also needs to be maintained to ensure that food safety is always a

factor.

Smoking is a slower form of cooking. Keep your smoker temperature at 250 degrees to

300 degrees F at all times for safety. You also need to ensure that the meats reach the

same internal temperatures listed above even though you are smoking it.

Keep these resources in mind any time you are cooking for the BBQ competition.


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6. Practicing methods

You have the recipe and you know what your skills are. You know how to keep your foods

safe. The question is, how do you manage to get it all put together?

Practice! Practice is something that all BBQ competitions require. Even the professionals

spend some of their time practicing because it allows for the best overall outcome. When

you can get into a grove, you do not have to worry about stress taking over and you can

relax. However, it is just as important to get into a habit for the safety of the participants.

It makes your job easier on the competition day.

This chapter focuses on practice tips. Only you can actually put together a practice

schedule that outlines what needs to be done in a step by step fashion since your recipe

is unique to others. However, you can learn some things.

Practice Makes Perfect One of the first things to focus on is the method for practicing. As a first time competitor,

you will want to practice frequently.

◉ Practice breaking down the type of meat you will use in the competition

frequently. Become a professional at cutting meat! Do this by learning the

professional way to cut meat and then by perfecting it by practicing the same

technique repeatedly.

◉ Give yourself time to practice making the sauce. You will find that after you have

perfected your sauce recipe, the next step is to duplicate it, over and over again.

This is not easy to do, but it is a necessary process.

◉ Practice the cooking of your dish. For the weeks leading up to the competition,

ensure that you are giving your full attention to this portion of the process. At first,

you may only need to practice once every few weeks, but as it gets closer, make

sure you practice more frequently.


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Feedback and Questions One of the best ways to perfect your skills and to practice in such a way as it works is to

use constant feedback from those around you. It is a good idea for you to ask those who

eat your dishes what they liked and what they did not. However, ask questions about the

flavor too. Is it the same as last time? What is different?

Those who you routinely cook for can help you to perfect your skills in the kitchen like

this.

Time Management As a BBQ competitor, you will likely face a very limited amount of time for preparing your

dish. The first step to managing this is to learn how much time you have and then

determine how much time you need to have the meat cooking. Subtract that time off

your total available time. Any time before is your prep time. However, it is a good idea to

try and finish the process early as because, inevitably, there will be holds ups on

competition day.

At the start of your practicing, time yourself to see how long it takes you to complete each

step of the process. Take detailed notes (or even better, have someone else do this for

you), look over your notes and change things around to provide yourself with better flow

and better overall timing. Here are some tips:

◉ While items are cooking, prepare others. Do not stand around and watch things

cook if you do not have to.

◉ Design your timeline to ensure that each step of the process is easy to remember.

Complex methods just are not going to help. Keep it simple, and that goes for

storage and kitchen organization as well.

◉ Time yourself according to overall time. Work to lessen that number as much as

possible, without getting sloppy.


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◉ If you are not able to complete your recipe comfortably within the time limit

required during the competition, change your recipe. If you cannot get it right in

time at home, consistently, you will not be able to do so in the kitchen.

MOre Practice Tips Here are a few more tips to remember about practicing to win!

1. Remember that the packing and storage of your gear also plays a role in your

timing. Getting it right means staying organized from the time you pack your gear

to how you use it throughout the competition.

2. Remember that stress will add to frustrations and you will lose your place often.

3. The weather is often a factor on competition day. Give yourself the ability to sit

down and relax when you need it.

4. In competitions without actual time limits, you still need to get your timing right

to ensure that you have enough time to actually prepare your dish and serve it to

the judges hot.

5. Rushing in your final presentation is sure to be noticeable to the judges. Save time

for these final preparations.

Practice makes perfect! Now, focus on your gear!


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7. Your Plan and Gear

Having a plan is the backbone of winning your competition. However, those first time

competitors that show up with their gear and nothing more are the ones who end up

losing easily. Begin organized and having a plan for BBQ championship day is critical to

your overall success in that competition.

Having A Plan You will need to have a plan throughout the competition. Your gear needs to be packed

in the right manner. You need to have a timeline for your recipes and cooking process.

This will give you the best result.

Here are some tips for planning:

1. Start with the turn in time and then work backward. Use slots of 15 to 30 minutes

to help you to gauge where you should be at any stage. Frustrations can also give

you that feel of "I don't know what I should be doing right now!" It happens to

everyone.

2. A well organized and written plan not only will help you to get through the

competition, but it will also boost your confidence as you go along, which is critical

to putting that extra "love" into any dish. You know you are doing what you need

to do and when throughout the process.

3. Practicing helps you to form a plan. Do not avoid putting in enough practice time.

4. Keep the entire plan as simple as possible, to ensure that you can easily repeat it

on the competition day.

5. Get your plan in writing to ensure that you can pull it off successfully.


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Your Gear Your gear is everything that you need on your competition day to win. You cannot just

through everything into a bag you think you will need and hope you have it all. That is,

you could do this but it will not help you to win the BBQ championship.

Consider the gear that every competitor needs to have. Check with the competition rules

to ensure that you are only using what you need and to know what is provided and what

is not. Use this checklist to help you through the process:

◉ Cookers as needed

◉ Sharpened knifes you are comfortable using

◉ Knife sharpener

◉ Cutting boards (color coded for food safety)

◉ Pot holders

◉ Tongs (several pair)

◉ Spray bottles as needed

◉ Two thermometers or more (for cooling and for cooking)

◉ Spatulas and other utensils

◉ Charcoal as needed

◉ Smoke wood

◉ Lighter needs, fire starters, propane

◉ Chimney


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You will also need numerous tools for storage and cleaning up, including:

◉ Coolers

◉ Dish tubs (2)

◉ Dust pans and brooms

◉ Ziploc bags

◉ Foil as needed

◉ Water containers

◉ Paper towels

◉ Hand sanitizer and hand soap

◉ Garbage bags

◉ Sanitizing wipes

◉ Plastic wrap

Now, make a list of all of the food that you need for the competition. This list should

include all of the ingredients for your recipe, including all of the spices. If you need

measuring cups, add those to the list. Keep a kit together as you practice that contains

everything you need, just to get in the habit of having limited items in your hands to use.

In addition to these things here are a few more to keep in mind:

◉ Have any necessary tables, countertops for cooking and cutting

◉ Ensure you have a place to sit and someplace to lay down

◉ Pills and blankets are a good idea for longer cooking competitions

◉ First aid kits are critical

◉ Silverware

◉ Paper products including your serving dishes for your judges


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◉ Tool box with tools you may need to repair problems

◉ Ponchos, rain gear just in case

◉ A change of clothing at least

◉ Fire extinguishers

Keep in mind that your particular needs may be different from this list. However, do not

avoid having everything packed up and ready to go so that there are no mistakes. Practice

preparing your meals like this!

Packing It UP Packing your gear should also be considered an important part of the process of winning

your BBQ competition. Use plastic totes with fitted lades for the best result for all of your

gear. Keep flammable items separate and be sure that anything that needs to remain

clean is placed in storage bags or is otherwise protected.

Keep your containers lightweight since it can sometimes be a walk to set them up. You

also want to ensure that you are not taking too much stuff in case you are limited by what

can be brought onto the actual competition lot. The better off you plan, the less likely you

are to need all of this extra stuff.


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8. The Competition Day

You have done all that you can do. You are now ready for the competition day. Before the

big day arrives, take steps to know the rules of the game and to know what the actual

guidelines for your event are. All competitions that are well structured provide you with

this level of guidance for game day.

After familiarizing yourself with the rules for your BBQ competition, the next step in the

process is to consider what the average competition is like. Most events will take place in

a large public venue, like a county fairground or a park. You will usually be given a specific

amount of space to use, for set up and for cooking. The standard size is about 20 feet by

20 feet. In some competitions you can drive your RV or other vehicle up to the location

while in others you are not able to do so.

Most often, you will be provided with some features like running water (usually) and

electricity (sometimes.) If the facility is allowing you to use electricity, remember that

there is probably a limited amount available and there are probably a number of

competitors competing for that electricity. Arrive early.

You should plan for the weather, as well. If you are able to do so, erect a tent or other

area where you can cook and where you can get some shade, since many of these events

take place during the day. You want to ensure that you are prepared for wind as well as

rain, too. Even if you do not think you need to worry, plan for it anyway to protect your

ability to win.

Many competitions are a two-day event starting on a Friday and ending on a Saturday. It

is best to get there at least a few hours early, but do not exhaust yourself on the drive

down. Plan to arrive the night before if it is a long drive.

So, what happens in a typical BBQ competition in terms of the day's layout? Each

competition is different, especially when they are in different areas of the country.

However, here is what you can expect, on average from the process.


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Competition Day One One the first day of the competition, you will be able to arrive at the scheduled time,

though it is advisable for you to not get there late. You will then be assigned a cook site.

This is usually not something that you can select.

After that, you have time to unload everything you have brought and your first goal will

be to set up your cooking site, which includes your cooking equipment (grills, cookers,

etc). Get everything in place and turned out for a test run as soon as possible.

Do take the time to say hello to the other team members. Being friendly is only common

courtesy and it can help you to be in the "know" when it comes to actually planning for

this event or knowing what is happening.

By this time, it is likely to be around midday. Stop and eat something.

The officials will schedule you a time for meat inspection. They are looking at what you

brought, how you are storing it, what your recipe is and other details to ensure that you

are both within the rules of the competition and ensuring that you are preparing dishes

safely for the judges. In addition, your cook site will need to be inspected, for the same

reasons as listed.

There is then an opportunity called a planning meeting or cook's meeting. This is an

opportunity for you to gather with the other cooks and go over the day's plan as well as

the overall aspects of the event. This is where you ask all of the questions you have. You

will also receive your turn in boxes, or the containers you will place your finished BBQ in

for the competitors to try out.

At this point, you will need to start preparing your meat. This is the time where you can

trim and clean it up. Start the seasoning process. Store your meat properly.


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Dinner is not usually provided (though it can be) but it is another opportunity for you to

meet others and get to know them.

For those who are cooking overnight, after dinner is not the time to party or to drink. It is

time to start your long cooks. This includes all of your pork products and briskets, if you

are preparing them.

There will be a period called quiet hours. During this time, there is no music or loud noise

aloud. Yes, you are sleeping at this time! Get your rest because you will need it for the

next day. If you are staying up to watch your long cooks, be sure that you are planning for

it in the long term. Be comfortable and use timers to wake you as needed.

The Second Day Day two will come quickly and this is a day for all of your plans to come in to play. You will

need to be fully aware.

The day usually starts with an early wake up so that you can get started on the cooking

process. Anything that needs to be cooked overnight needs to be checked for

preparedness. Then, focus on getting your next products cooking; called your medium

cooks. This includes your ribs, usually.

Once you get everything in line, you will need to eat some breakfast, get some exercise

and then start on the items that are your short cooks, like your chicken and side dishes.

Again, every competition is different, but in most cases, you will find that you will have a

limited and very specific turn in window for each item. Generally, you will have about 30

minutes for each of your items to be turned in. Generally, they work in this order, though

there may be some differences:


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◉ Chicken

◉ Ribs

◉ Pork

◉ Then brisket

Once everything is turned in, sit back and give yourself a break. You need it. Then you

need to clean up and pack up. Usually this needs to be about done before the ceremony.

It is a good time to keep your nerves down by socializing.

The awards ceremony follows, usually a few hours after you have turned in your dishes.

You will then get your score sheets to see what the judges liked and did not like about

your dishes. These are prized tools for you because they can give you an indication of

what you can adjust for the next competition so that you can improve even farther.

You will not stay overnight at the facility again, usually. Therefore you will need to finish

packing up and saying goodbye.

Keep In Mind Just because you are competing in the competition does not mean you should stop taking

notes. Even after that first competition, you will be planning for your next one. The only

way to know what went well and what did not is to have a timeline of the events and to

keep notes of how things are going. You will need to use this for next time, too!

Do take notes on your score sheets, too. You want to be able to correlate what you did

and what you received in terms of score and comments. This information can be a great

tool!


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It is also a good idea to keep in mind anything that you forgot to include! Spend some

time after wards refreshing yourself. You do have the right to be proud that you competed

and won your first BBQ competition. And, if you did not win, you still have experience

under your belt for next time.


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9. Tips for Success

Throughout this eBook we have gone through tips for success, but it cannot be said

enough that the best way for you to win your first BBQ competition is to experience it.

You will need to get a few events under your belt before you will actually win. However,

there are many people who have accomplished this feet and as such, they are able to

provide you with some tips and guidance to help you to keep winning.

10 Tips to keep You Winning! Here are some more tips, tips to help you to keep winning!

1. Research all that you can. Knowing the rules to the competition as well as

researching flavor profiles and new ideas will help further your ability to walk away

a winner in this BBQ competition. You may want to do this from today forward!

2. Keep as much of your planning and recipe simple. This helps to ensure that you are

able to accomplish all that you need to accomplish quickly but that you are also

able to be successful in the process.

3. Flavor comes first. You may not approve of the overall of the rules of the

competition but your goal is not to fight those rules or challenge them. If you want

to compete, do it through the flavor of your dishes.

4. Do not overlook texture in your dishes too. BBQ that is slimy or that is spoiled

tasting is not going to help you to win. Taste and texture go hand in hand for the

winner.

5. Spend your time on the basics. Review the chapter on the basics in this book. Do

your homework here before you cook even one dish for a BBQ competition.


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6. Focus on a plan, but do not overdo it. A well laid out plan for the competition day

will keep you ready and confident throughout the process. Plus, a plan helps

reassure you that you will complete the process perfectly.

7. Keep notes both during all the practicing that you do and later in the competition.

These notes are your treasures. Study them, perfect them, use them to create your

timeline and of course learn from them to perfect your recipe.

8. Travel as lightly as possible. Do not take more than you need to since this only

holds you back from winning. You want to have all the gear you need (a checklist

helps ensure you have it all). However, you do not want to over pack as it will just

stress you even more so.

9. Ask questions of anyone you can. If you have contact with the BBQ competition

coordinator, do ask your questions. Not having an answer or assuming something

will put you in a position to be disqualified. Therefore, have a contact and use

them!

10. Keep your ego out of the competition. Every BBQ-er here believes that they are

the best at their craft. The only way that you are going to actually win is if you are

confident but not arrogant.

Practice is the unwritten tip here. It goes without saying at this point. Practice will define

your success.


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10. Profiting From Championships

Is there any thrill after you have won your BBQ championship? There is, especially if you

put enough time into the process of finding a way to turn a profit. Not every person is

going to have the ability to profit from their success, but plenty of professionals have done

so. They can even call themselves professional BBQ champions because they have won

contests and have turned their skill into a career.

One of the most important factors in determining if you can turn a profit is your ability to

be well loved by those around you. Another factor is having a product that is unique from

others in some way. It does make a difference that you are unique since people want to

know what helps your product to stand out.

How can you make any money from BBQ championships? Here are some ideas that others

have used:

◉ Start a BBQ website or blog

Teach others how to be successful. You can even use your experience to help

newcomers learn in the same way you are learning. You can market products and

services on your blog to turn a profit or just use the advertising revenue as a profit

too.

◉ Market your sauce

Is your sauce some type of standout product? If so, then you are sure to be well on

your way to turning a profit. However, there are numerous factors here, including

spending time ensuring you can legally sell your product and that you can mass

produce it. Many people just sell their product in jars to those they know locally or

through a website.


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◉ You can market a cooking utensil you have created

If you go this route, be sure that you actual get a patent for the product if possible,

and license it to ensure that no one else uses it.

The only way to turn a profit in the game of BBQ is to become a champion with a passion

for BBQ. You will need to spend some of your time actually gaining experience before you

can go this route. It also helps to have a one of a kind BBQ passion and character that

helps you to stand out from the rest!


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Conclusion

Becoming a BBQ champion is a rewarding and enlightening experience. If you just like to

cook or you just like the taste of BBQ, this may not be the place for you. In order to be

truly successful at it, you need to have a passion for winning and a passion for barbeque

products. It takes a great deal of work and preparation to pull off this type of win.

Keep in mind that any money that you do win in a competition is fantastic, but in many

cases, your winnings are actually going to just cover the costs of all the practicing you

have done in the months leading up to the event! For that reason, be sure you are

entering this competition because you are passionate about the BBQ itself!

Now that you have all the information that you need to win at this competition, the first

step is to find a local competition and to sign up. You cannot move forward in your

preparation until you take this step. Signing up may seem intimidating but it is virtually a

guarantee that once you sign up and compete you will be driving away from your first

competition planning for next year's!

Most local areas offer a variety of groups and competitions. Barbeque is a nationwide

pastime and it is even a big deal overseas. Therefore, no matter where you are located,

chances are good there are others like you, looking for the big win in the barbeque

category. Food competitions equate to complex challenges involving a great deal of time,

a good attitude and a desire to be the best. If that describes you, now is the time for you

to sign up and get started!


how to become a bbq champion

Documents

bbq champion

bbq sauce

meat selection

meat preparation

repeatable flavor profile

cooking method matters

temperature control