What do you do when you make a trip home to Texas? Well of course have a BBQ cookoff in the parents back yard.
Texas is one of those unique states that still values family, competition, and of course amazing BBQ!!! Low and slow is the key.
I honestly don’t know how these competitions come together. They just do. I’m sure it started out as a small get together that grew as one aunt or uncle told another and they told their friend and their friend told their friend until we have a huge probably 75-100 person BBQ competition.
The rules are simple. There was a Best Brisket, Best Ribs, and Best Chicken. Each competitor was to choose to make one or all of the categories and the after 12 hours there was a blind tasting with three judges.
There were six BBQ pits and as you can see from the pictures these are legit smokers built on trailers. These aren’t your every day $100 at Walmart charcoal pansy pits these are Texas sized wood burning made to last a hundred year BBQ pits. Most of the competitors used mesquite to smoke their meat mainly because in south Texas it is cheap or free and everywhere. We did have at least one go fancy on us and burned hickory.
I’m sure some of you read 12 hours and thought what the heck. Well of course during those 12 hours we cooked and checked on the meat but for most of the day we drank beer, swapped stories, played kickball, let the kids play in the bounce house, and I naturally smoked a few cigars. (Cigars are cheap in Texas compared to California)
So after the cook time the judges tried all of the meat. Each contestant had a number that was written on the bottom of their plate of food. Each plate was judged on look and flavor. It was ranked first, second, and third in each category. Once the judging was over the winners were announced and handed an amazing trophy that was probably found at the dollar store. The trophy was not the prize, the prize was the bragging rights for years to come. Not everyone gets a trophy just the best. (Sorry California) After the competition everyone that came; our relatives, friends, neighbors, and random friends of friends ate and drank the night away until party dwindled down to a couple of us talking over a fire and drinking beer.
These are the memories I will never forget! I will always cherish these times of family, fun, and good food.
