Pig Gig III (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

After seven years of competing in barbecue contests I finally scored my first grand championship last month at the Pig Gig III here in Boise. I've had a few reserve grand championships (second place overall), but the grand had eluded me.

The Pig Gig is a great troops-and-vets competition that is held at Gowen Field, the local Air National Guard base. Last year I judged, but this year I decided to throw my hat in the ring doing what I really love, cooking. It's a small competition, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in camaraderie and fun. Being a vet, it's always nice to hang out with my military brothers and sisters on their home turf.

Here are some pictures from the competition. All of my entries were cooked solely on just two Pit Barrel Cookers, which I have reviewed and written about extensively on this blog. You can see them in the background in this picture (one is still in the box). I traveled way light this time, and that was a good move.

Pig Gig III (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

My chicken turn-in (3rd place)

Pig Gig III (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

Ribs (1st place)

Pig Gig III (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

Pork (4th place)

Pig Gig III (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

Brisket (2nd place)

Pig Gig III (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

There was a required ancillary category which had to include bacon, and I went way simple. I grilled some of the best bacon on the planet (Benton's) and simply rolled and glazed the slices with a bit of honey mixed with a little of my friend Kosmo's Killer Bee Chipotle rub. My lack of creativity and sloppy boxing were evident in my middle-of-the-pack fifth place.

Pig Gig III (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

Winning the competition was great, but I was more proud of my three daughters who marched at the event as part of the Treasure Valley Drill Team. They won a state championship in the dance category in June. They are a great group of girls who work very hard and put on a stellar show. Way to go Hailey, Shelby, and Chloe! Keep calm and march on.

Treasure Valley Drill Team (via patiodaddiobbq.com)

So there you have it, my first grand. Here's to a few more down the road.

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14 Comments:
Blogger Kelly said...
Congratulations! Well deserved - wish I could try some.
Blogger Mags76 said...
Congratulations!! Chicken, Ribs & Brisket looked great, or as we say in Vermont/Maine: Wicked Awesome!!!
Blogger Mimi G said...
Well done.....great looking food!
Blogger Three Dogs BBQ said...
Congrats John. Doesn't it feel great to finally make it to the top? I can't wait for that day. So, do you want to help a team out that is struggling with ribs that keep us out of the top 10? ;)
Blogger Unknown said...
Thanks, all! I really appreciate your support.

Three Dogs - I'm happy to help with ribs, but the biggest "trick" is the cooker. The PBC is a great rib cooker. In fact, I've beaten Trigg with it the last two times that we've crossed paths on the competitive trail.

Maybe I should do a competition rib post.
Blogger Three Dogs BBQ said...
A competition rib post would be greatly appreciated. I think we need to cook a bit longer and take some spice out.
Anonymous John Thomas said...
Very cool John! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blogger Unknown said...
Thanks, John!
Anonymous Robyn said...
Congrats John! that is awesome!
Blogger Unknown said...
Thanks, Grill Grrrl-ie! ;-)
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Congratulations John
Anonymous davejeyes said...
Congrats, John. Those are some tasty looking submissions!
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Way to go. We are in our 5th year of competing and have yet to see a reserve or grand. Turn in boxes look good. Pork is what keeps us shaking our heads. Keep up the good work.
John
Blogger Unknown said...
Anonymous - Thanks! If you want to up your game big-time, I highly recommend Kosmo's competition DVDs.

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