SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Spring has sprung despite the California state shelter in place decree. Luckily Farmers Markets have been deemed essential. The Richmond Farmers market is open for business. The crops are still growing and we hope you come out to support your local farmers. Stay well.

BACKYARD ON THE GRAPE 2020

What crazy times we live in. Backyard on the Grape was not cancelled. Thanks for the brief glimpse of sanity. Backyard on the Grape was a practice contest held by a local promoter to hone skills of cooks and judges to prepare for the 2020 BBQ season. We would like to share some pictures with you.

Yours truly did not participate this year but did make an appearance to visit and take these photos. Today’s contest was unique in the aspect that judges judged verbally right in front of the cooks. The cooks would present their meat entry and sit and hear live critique and scores. This was a great opportunity for the cooks to get instant feedback and for the judge to verbally put their thought process into words.

It did start to rain but cooks need to be prepared for all weather conditions. Judges on the other hand are spoiled and need cover and comfort to provide an atmosphere conducive to judging. At least that is what judges tell the promoter. The judging did take place in a nice exhibition hall providing warmth and dry conditions.

\

It was fun to visit and see my bbq friends. We hope and pray the insanity passes in the near future and we can return to a degree of normality. We are looking forward to the 2020 bbq season. See you soon.

CORNY BEEF

I open today's post with not the most appetizing shot of some corned beef. It was the first plate of many dishes of corned beef for the month of March. This traditional plate was had at the Fratalanza Italian club. It was most likely boiled in a huge cauldron until limp and lifeless. It was served with boiled everything. It was pretty palatable when smothered with extra, extra hot horseradish, and mustard. It was served with some very stinky boiled cabbage and carrots. This is tradtiion.

I am not knocking our traditional corned beef served at the "Frat' because it also came with some great pasta and it is always fun hanging out with friends. What I am really excited about is this time of year Costco stocks up on Snake River Corned Beef rounds. This will be put into our smoker and turned into pastrami. This is a treat extraordinaire. Tis the season.

CRACK PIE

Yesterday was my birthday. They sure creep up on you quicker these days. I have an acquaintance from a Buck Knife Collectors group who lives in Virginia. She sent me a Milk Bar Pie through Fed Ex to celebrate this day. I have never had or heard of a Milk Bar pie sometimes referred to as Crack Pie. It is a dense cookie/custard textured, oat & vanilla flavored and very sweet. It is very addicting. I have never tried Crack but I do need another fis of this pie.

2019 Mc INTOSH CBJoY SCOTT SIMPSON

   Our good friend Scott Simpson was presented a major award this weekend from the California BBQ Association. This award name is inspired by KCBS representatives Kelly and Kathleen Mc Intosh. CBJoY stands for Certified Barbecue Judge of Year. What is this award?

This judge has an exemplary record of volunteer service to CBBQA. The judge volunteers or judges at both sanctioned and backyard contests. Has well over 60 contests and reps say this judge will volunteer for any job needed in tent. Helps train new judges, is a member of CBBQA committees, participates in bbq outreach through volunteering at CBBQA & KCBS classes as a cook, leader, organizer, instructor, mentor and helper.

   We are proud to call Scott a friend. He is well deserving and an inspiration to us all Congratulations Scott Simpson

GOLDEN STATE BATTLE II

Here we are in Casa de Fruta California kicking off the 2020 competition bbq season. Today forty six teams from Northern and Southern California competed for cash and prizes. This was a California BBQ Association event that hosted a Kansas City Barbeque Society contest. The weather was mild with temperatures hitting the low 60's. It was perfect to cook and judge some great barbeque. We would like to share a couple of images with you.

I wanted to mention the Kids Q competition. This contest had children as young as 4 years old cooking on real barbeques which they got to keep after the contest. They were provided with a very high end steak from Snake River Farms. What a great idea to get the future bbq competitors involved. They  disqualified my attempt to enter as a second childhood entrant.

The actual event took place in the motor-home lot. Casa de Fruta is a large resort with all the amenities. We judges had a nice office area and were very comfortable to achieve our judging duties. Needless to say it was a lot of fun reconnecting with our fellow bbq brethren.

You may recognize Rick, the Gary Wells award winner. He is with his son Matt and it is always a pleasure to see him at contests.

Today kicked off the 2020 bbq season. What a great event and a taste of what is in store for the rest of the year. Ms. Goofy and I are very lucky to be a part of this team. Congratulations to the Competition Team "Smoke Show" for winning the Grand Championship. Stay tuned.

2019 GARY WELLS SPORTSMAN AWARD

Rick Brandinii is the  2019 Award Winner “The Gary Wells Sportsman Award”What is the Gary Wells Award?: The recipient of the Gary Wells KCBS Sportsmanship Award will exhibit the exceptional qualities of the true barbeque sportsman. This award is given to a KCBS member who displays a high level of fairness, generosity, good character and observance of the rules.The recipient of the Gary Wells KCBS Sportsmanship Award exhibits these qualities on a regular basis and has shown particularly exceptional examples of good sportsmanship at one or more KCBS barbeque contests

I would like to extend a congratulations to Rick. Rick is a dedicated judge and cook who goes above and beyond to promote KCBS bbq. I am proud to know you and extend a hearty handshake.