AZ Barbeque.com
AZBarbeque Events => Upcoming Events => Topic started by: AzScott on January 28, 2011, 11:54:41 am
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Well, with BBQ season upon us, where is everyone planning on cooking this year? Havasu is on the 25th and 26th of February, AZ BBQ Festival is on the 25th and 26th of March, and there's some others in CA lined up currently. There's also the big, potentially, competition in Vegas for 150k the third weekend in May. Our goal this year is to do 6-8 contests and we're trying to plan a little into the future.
Are there any BCS events that we could throw on the schedule (solid or tentative) and plan for? All I know is that after being out at Rock Springs this coming weekend the urge to be competing again is going to be very, very strong.
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We are already paid up for scottsdale. After that we don't have any immediate plans. I'm waiting on more information from the BCS. Does anybody have a link to the competition in Vegas since I can't seem to find anything?
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Here's the information Dan....
It's official. The Orleans Casino will be hosting the $125,000 USA Barbecue Championship in Las Vegas May 21 - 22. The world's richest purse will pay $25,000 for Grand, top 20 overall and through 50 places in each category.
Our website www.smokeonthewaterbbq.com will be updated by end of next week with registration details. It will be a KCBS sanctioned event with certified judges.
Entry fee is $500 and includes 20 amp of electricity and water. Also, the casino is offering $50 in slot play, 3 buffets, show tickets, complimentary drinks, one pull on the million dollar slot machine ($150 value) and will cash winner's checks.
Teams will be checked in Friday with the contest on Saturday and judging on Sunday. There will be special low room rates for both judges and teams.
Smoke on the Water signed a long term deal with the casino with the goal of $500,000 purse within five years. The annual event will always be held third weekend in May along with a ribfest for the public to eat champion barbecue. Let the flames begin!!!
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There's a lot of exciting stuff going on in BBQ. $500 is a bit much but man, $125,000!?!?! If this goes off and I can swing it we'll be in.
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There's a lot of exciting stuff going on in BBQ. $500 is a bit much but man, $125,000!?!?! If this goes off and I can swing it we'll be in.
We've paid $300 for a $5000 contest here in Az so..........well you do the math....and look how far down it pays!!
It's a no-brainer to me.
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We've paid $300 for a $5000 contest here in Az so..........well you do the math....and look how far down it pays!!
It's a no-brainer to me.
Great point Jay. It's a no brainer for us too. See ya there.
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tom, do you have any contact info as of yet there is no note on the KCBS website and well local advertising is a little shady too! thanks!
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tom, do you have any contact info as of yet there is no note on the KCBS website and well local advertising is a little shady too! thanks!
It's a Ron Cates/Smoke on the Water event, which is all I know at this point, but they never seem to be an issue anywhere else.
Website will be updated by weeks end with all info according to Cates...www.smokeonthewaterbbq.com
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Does anyone know if they are still paying 70 places? This event will be wild to cook in and should be a major draw for teams. It would be really cool to have a massive event around here. Regardless, the first half of this season is shaping up to be rather nice.
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You are right it is a no brainier and should be fun. While it is in my busy season I am looking forward to a visit to Vegas if not working too far away.
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Does anyone know if they are still paying 70 places? This event will be wild to cook in and should be a major draw for teams. It would be really cool to have a massive event around here. Regardless, the first half of this season is shaping up to be rather nice.
The world's richest purse will pay $25,000 for Grand, top 20 overall and through 50 places in each category.
Our website www.smokeonthewaterbbq.com will be updated by end of next week with registration details. It will be a KCBS sanctioned event with certified judges.
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Katy graduates that day so good luck Boys in Vegas
I will be at Boulder City already have the entry (KCBS Annual Meeting Prize)
Add the Sams Club Tour and BBQ is Exploding in 2011
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It's official. The Orleans Casino will be hosting the $125,000 USA Barbecue Championship in Las Vegas May 21 - 22. The world's richest purse will pay $25,000 for Grand, top 20 overall and through 50 places in each category.
Our website www.smokeonthewaterbbq.com will be updated by end of next week with registration details. It will be a KCBS sanctioned event with certified judges.
Entry fee is $500 and includes 20 amp of electricity and water. Also, the casino is offering $50 in slot play, 3 buffets, show tickets, complimentary drinks, one pull on the million dollar slot machine ($150 value) and will cash winner's checks.
Teams will be checked in Friday with the contest starting on Saturday and judging on Sunday. Room rates for both judges and teams is $36/night for Thursday and Sunday
$75/night for Friday and Saturday.
Smoke on the Water signed a long term deal with the casino with the goal of $500,000 purse within five years. The annual event will always be held third weekend in May along with a ribfest for the public to eat champion barbecue. Let the flames begin!!!
Please forward to any cook team or KCBS Certified Judge who might be interested in this information. If you have any names with E Mail addresses that you could share with us, it would be appreciated if you could send those by E Mail to me (Betty Cates).
Ron Cates todays email
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It's official. The Orleans Casino will be hosting the $125,000 USA Barbecue Championship in Las Vegas May 21 - 22. The world's richest purse will pay $25,000 for Grand, top 20 overall and through 50 places in each category.
Our website www.smokeonthewaterbbq.com will be updated by end of next week with registration details. It will be a KCBS sanctioned event with certified judges.
Entry fee is $500 and includes 20 amp of electricity and water. Also, the casino is offering $50 in slot play, 3 buffets, show tickets, complimentary drinks, one pull on the million dollar slot machine ($150 value) and will cash winner's checks.
Teams will be checked in Friday with the contest starting on Saturday and judging on Sunday. Room rates for both judges and teams is $36/night for Thursday and Sunday
$75/night for Friday and Saturday.
Smoke on the Water signed a long term deal with the casino with the goal of $500,000 purse within five years. The annual event will always be held third weekend in May along with a ribfest for the public to eat champion barbecue. Let the flames begin!!!
Please forward to any cook team or KCBS Certified Judge who might be interested in this information. If you have any names with E Mail addresses that you could share with us, it would be appreciated if you could send those by E Mail to me (Betty Cates).
Ron Cates todays email
WOW! It's deja vu all over again! ;)
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;) You bet but looks like the real deal this time out :)
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Ya -- real money -- with the money that teams deserve!
Thanks Ron Cates
Thanks KCBS
Keep up the great work
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Deserve?? Please explain...
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Ya -- real money -- with the money that teams deserve!
Thanks Ron Cates
Thanks KCBS
Keep up the great work
Interesting line of thought, please explain further...
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If you look around the country, especially the midwest, entry fees are low but so are the prize funds. Out west, the entry fees are higher. For the most part, I think the AZ prize funds have been decent but California is a different story. $300 plus dollars for a $5,000 prize fund just doesn't cut it. We have to pay for gas, entry fee, meat, spices, (sometimes) electric, water, ice, and that all adds up. At some of these comps you would literally need to take first place in every category plus GC just to break even!! I actually heard a promoter say that he was increasing the entry fee for his event this year just because everyone else out this way was doing it and he wanted to get in on a piece of that. That's the wrong reason for increasing an entry fee!
Sorry for the hijack...we're doing Havasu and not sure what else after that because we don't know where we'll be!!
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I think the explosion of BBQ & comps is great. I always knew the big paydays were coming, but kind of like the housing market, I almost think it's happening too fast and will burn itself out. I hope not, but that's what I see.
I also think that the smaller, more affordable comps also are great. We are looking at announcing a few $3K - $5K events with an entry fee of $100 - $150.
We have to continue to have these as well I believe to get the new teams into competing so we can continue to grow the sport.
Great seeing so many comps finally coming out this way as well. Nevada is just exploding this year..
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Amen Mike! Great post.
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We're noticing a few things as well. Erin mentioned something that is very concerning to us both as vendors and people who love comps. It seems that many of the events we are seeing now have become less about the event and more about the money. Charities are getting greedy as well as some promotors getting greedy and caring less and less about all the people who also make these events possible. It doesn't surprise me in the least that Erin heard those comments from a promoter, we're hearing pretty much the same thing as vendors and have in fact heard something along the lines of "we don't care what happens, we've already got your money (entry fee)". Basically, "we've got ours so who cares".
Another part of that concern is if comp fees keep going up or there becomes a lot of big $$$ contests what will attract new teams or the real good teams that don't have the $300-$500 entry fees or are scared off by all the big teams chasing the big $$? New blood means new ideas, different tastes and many times, more fun. As for the older teams that just can't afford it, I'd surely miss 'em and the "newbies" would really miss some good mentors which would be a real shame!
I'm already hearing teams that are either A. Severely cutting the amount of comps this year or B. Not planning any at all.
I guess it comes down to you can either milk this for all it's worth now and kill off the cow or take it easy, don't get entranced by $$$ and keep the thing going for years to come.
I'd love to see the smaller events, backyard events,kids Q, throwdowns etc. That's how this sport will keep alive!
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We are looking at announcing a few $3K - $5K events with an entry fee of $100 - $150.
I think there is a great 'market' for this type of event. I am curious how many teams you would "target" for this type of event Mike.
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I think it will attract a lot of new teams because it is an expensive hobby if you are not make a return on your investment. I think you'll also get big teams, because they aren't always all about the money. They are about the payout when they are putting out a lot of money to be a part of it. As a team, we are not going to pay $300 plus expenses to drive my truck 700 miles roundtrip for the possibility of nothing in return. We would be more apt to spend less money on a local comp even if the payout isn't huge because the total expenses are less. In this economy, it is about money. People want to compete but sometimes it just isn't feasible. As far as having a huge payout like Vegas, that is enticing because of how far down it pays out. Everyone has a chance of taking something home and it could be a lot. I don't see those happening every day but when they do, they are a big deal.
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Great seeing so many comps finally coming out this way as well. Nevada is just exploding this year..
As being new to this BBQ comp thing I have to say I love seeing more events coming to Nevada.
There will be 4 event with in 100 miles of home, you will see Trailhound at all of these before you see us going back to that country to the west of us.
Mike puts on awesome events and we will be at more of them this year as long as I don't have truck repairs like last year.
We had hoped to get to ID, CO this year but with the new events coming to my backyard Nevada/Vegas my money will be going to them.
It simple lest driving = more money for entry fees.
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I think there is a great 'market' for this type of event. I am curious how many teams you would "target" for this type of event Mike.
Our goal for these smaller events would be min of 15 teams so they would be qualifiers.
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There are and will be events in the Southwest that fit the needs of every team. You just need to research sites like AZBBQ, IMBBQA, and CBBQA. Tons of great events out there.
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Our goal for these smaller events would be min of 15 teams so they would be qualifiers.
And I'm betting you'll get way more than 15 with the attitude and vision you've got for the small teams and first timers. I also think reviving the tailgate comps is going to be a hoot and well received, especially great for people like us who've only seen 'em on TV.
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We are looking at announcing a few $3K - $5K events with an entry fee of $100 - $150.
this is what I would be looking at when I decide to jump in and do one
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Mike, I think your ideas are good as far as events at 100 to 150 dollars with a lower pay out. I would go in a heartbeat if I can get the time off of work. I personally like the fact that some comps have high payouts since it brings in more teams than we are used to, you could potentially win some big bucks, and I think it's good for the sport as a whole. On the flip side, I think the events that don't have a huge payout but have much lower entry fee's would be welcomed by everyone. One thing that I would really welcome is weekend events that start on Saturday and finish on Sunday. It can often be hard justifying time off for bbq competitions to the employer and if the smaller events were Saturday and Sunday I could keep my vacation days for a vacation.
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And I'm betting you'll get way more than 15 with the attitude and vision you've got for the small teams and first timers. I also think reviving the tailgate comps is going to be a hoot and well received, especially great for people like us who've only seen 'em on TV.
I agree, but there is a bit of a catch 22 here (IMO).
Small events with lower payouts are very good for the newer teams, especially when it gives them a really good chance for a walk or two.
The flip side is, for various reasons, these events become very attractive to the top notch experienced teams as well (even with 'small payouts). That somewhat dillutes the benefits for the newer teams, PLUS drives up the entered competitors numbers. Plus, to generalize, the more teams entered, the better the promoter fares.
I'm not making judgements, just observations. I really do think these types of events are good for BBQ.
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The flip side is, for various reasons, these events become very attractive to the top notch experienced teams as well (even with 'small payouts).
Which in my eyes means I would be able to be around the best at a reduced cost. I have never competed but want to eventually.
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Is anyone doing the Sam's Clubs kickoff in Gilbert in April?? Also Mike why don't we do a cook off like we did last year at a local BBQ restaurant that would give all the new team more practiceand great time for BCS to get more exposure.
Dave
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Is anyone doing the Sam's Clubs kickoff in Gilbert in April?? Dave
We are planning on it. Between Gilbert, Scottsdale and Vegas, I don't know about all three, but at least 2. The only thing holding me back from Gilbert is NO PC allowed. We tend to have lots left over, but all my family is in the Phx area, so there goes the extra.
As for the local cookoff BBQ restaurant thing.....Mike, how bout making it in Casa Grande, to attract some Tucson teams.......? Just a thought.
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Don't the rules say no selling? You would be sharing (not selling) the extra with family correct?
Benny
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Thanks KCBS
Keep up the great work
I couldnt disagree with you more Jim. The fact that KCBS is now stepping in as an organizer is concerning. If I was an organizer, I would be pretty ticked off to know that KCBS is promoting their event with gusto and not promoting other events along the same lines.
I havent seen KCBS do "great work" in many years. Hell, has anyone seen the video from Lakeland with a top KCBS official clearly accepting a late brisket entry. Great work.....not in my opinion! ;)
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Don't the rules say no selling? You would be sharing (not selling) the extra with family correct?
Benny
You are correct sir, no selling but plenty of sharing!
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I can look out my front window and see the Sams club in Gilbert. I think I have to enter this one. I cant get any closer than that.
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I can see Sarah Palin from my front window. (I think she's stalking me.) ???
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I can see Sarah Palin from my front window. (I think she's stalking me.) ???
That's her kid. ;D
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Is anyone doing the Sam's Clubs kickoff in Gilbert in April?? Also Mike why don't we do a cook off like we did last year at a local BBQ restaurant that would give all the new team more practiceand great time for BCS to get more exposure.
Dave
Would like to attend Gilbert, but schedules are a mess. Unless something changes we'll be off to New Mexico.
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I couldnt disagree with you more Jim. The fact that KCBS is now stepping in as an organizer is concerning. If I was an organizer, I would be pretty ticked off to know that KCBS is promoting their event with gusto and not promoting other events along the same lines.
I havent seen KCBS do "great work" in many years. Hell, has anyone seen the video from Lakeland with a top KCBS official clearly accepting a late brisket entry. Great work.....not in my opinion! ;)
I'm just going to say that the right call was made in the end regarding that. There are issues in every sanctioning body.
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Ya -- real money -- with the money that teams deserve!
Thanks Ron Cates
Thanks KCBS
Keep up the great work
I agree Jim. I think this big event in Vegas and the Sam's club Championships are good for BBQ. The sport is growing, and its drawing new teams into competing.
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I agree, but there is a bit of a catch 22 here (IMO).
Small events with lower payouts are very good for the newer teams, especially when it gives them a really good chance for a walk or two.
The flip side is, for various reasons, these events become very attractive to the top notch experienced teams as well (even with 'small payouts). That somewhat dillutes the benefits for the newer teams, PLUS drives up the entered competitors numbers. Plus, to generalize, the more teams entered, the better the promoter fares.
I'm not making judgements, just observations. I really do think these types of events are good for BBQ.
The promoter may or may not gain depending where the "tipping point" is. Remember there are costs associated with more people called infrastructure as well as other assorted costs that have to be covered not to mention putting up the prize fund $ in an escrow account out of their pocket. Lights,toilets,power (I'm sure Mike can add to the list) which grow as teams grow. Having to deal with promoters regularly some of them don't make the "killing" everyone thinks, and a few do it more for the love of what they do. To be honest (this is just my opinion) if money were the driving force behind what Mike does (which is where I think the conversation is aimed) then he would've done everything possible to stay with KCBS, the 8-10 large comps per year etc,etc,etc....
Do some promotors gouge? IMO absolutely yes! Are some more concerned about what they're getting to the point of short changing the teams just to make a bit more? I think that's happened from time to time.
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The promoter may or may not gain depending where the "tipping point" is.
... which is why I said, "to generalize".
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Seems this thread needs to in Seasoned Members
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Well, if I still lived in that Albatross of a short sale that sits 9 months later in Gilbert, I would be trying to enter that competition. Instead, I'm trying to hit Conroe, Texas.
So for those typing fast and trying to enter today, good luck!
With regards to the small competition debate. I can throw a rock on any weekend and hit a competition in any cardinal direction. Some sacntioned some not, some for $100 some a bit more. Some have electricity and water, some have nothing. Paybacks are typically a percentage of the total entry fee across 3 meats ( no pork out this way). In other words, not much, but you can take some cash home.
Does this allow smaller teams ( I'm one man, don't know how you get much smaller) to compete more often? Yes, it does. However, with my whole 12 competitions of experience, I'd rather pay a bit more for some amenities and perhaps a chance to break even. Though if its close to home ,and cheap it's often tempting to just run out there for practice.
Another Idea I'm sure was discussed somewhere that they do out here alot. Unsanctioned, 1 meat "bar" contests. Lots of people get their feet wet with those. Say Whiskey Ranch sponsored a rib cook off with pay back a percentage of total entry fee and Ribs had to be turned in at 1800. Lots of folks could show up that morning and cook those world famous ribs their family raves about.
But if anyone can afford the larger entry fees, they should do those events, the experience is invaluable. My first cook I was between Slap Yo Daddy and Sweet Peppers. You can't pay enough money for the "pointers" I was provided during that 24 hour period.
Anyway good luck to my AZ / NM / CA friends this year, I hope to see you in a cloud of smoke somewhere.
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Good luck with your entry today Wesley...
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Little Miss BBQ is in for Gilbert!!!
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Little Miss BBQ is in for Gilbert!!!
Way to go Scott good luck
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I wonder how quickly Gilbert will fill up.
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Schedule cleared this morning. Were in for Gilbert.
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Schedule cleared this morning. Were in for Gilbert.
Way to go Tom
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Timm are you going to be in this?
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Gilbert already full.
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Timm are you going to be in this?
No Schedule problems if my schedule clear up I my judge not sure.