Hello Az BBQers,
My name is Larry, and I can't tell you how thrilled I was to have discovered this website and group. Professionally, I work as a videographer/web developer for a local government agency. For the past 12 years, my wife and I have been old west re-enactors for fun. While I have always been a backyard griller, I started cooking with smoke about 10 years ago, and can say I am addicted to cooking with mesquite, hickory and other woods. We try to catch the BBQ competition shows on cable TV, and I would really like to get certified as a judge. Not sure I can compete on the same level as you folks, but at the very least I want to learn more about what all is involved in competition cooking.
I've just started making my own sauces and rubs. Some have turned out great, and others... well let's just say they sounded better in theory, than they turned out in real life. Have gone through 3 cheap little offset smokers over the past 10 years, and really want to upgrade soon to something more professional.
We live right at the base of the Superstition mountains, and the desert scenery lends itself well to wanting to be outdoors and cooking. I cook year round and haven't let a little thing like 115 degree temperatures deter me from cooking a tasty meal. Thankfully my wife supports my BBQ addiction, and she is always inviting friends and family out for ribs and other smoked fare. We cook out on the grill more than we do in the kitchen.
Anyway, I look forward to participating, learning from everyone and hopefully we will be attending some of the competitions.
Thanks!
Larry Jones
AzGunfighter
