Just a reminder that we are approaching the weekend of the 21st Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue Contest. This is the most prestigious BBQ contest in the world. And all of our winners of the 2009 West Coast BBQ Championships  – All Hogs Go to Heaven and Rhythm n’ Que are there representing us and all of the West Coast BBQ family. These two teams are there with assistance from close friend and mentor Brent Walton of QN4U, which if you are following West Coast BBQ Championships history has won the Grand Champion title at the West Coast BBQ Championships in 2004 & 2006, they also took Reserve Grand Champion in 2005 & 2007. We hope these 2 teams take top honors at “The Jack”.

We’ll let everyone know the results after the weekend.

Here are a few fun facts the fine folks at Jack Daniels put together*.

Every president since Thomas Jefferson has hosted a barbecue while in office. That means for 207 years Americans have been “grilling out.”

Jack Fact: This year marks the 21st Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. More than seventy-five championship teams from around the world will participate, eager to slow cook their way to flame fame.

The word barbecue is believed to have originated from either the Spanish word “barbacoa” or the French word “de barbe a` queue.” In Asia, they use bamboo, stones and metal to grill meat such as goat, snake and the occasional prairie dog. You won’t find that at your regular family cookout!

Jack Fact: Of the teams participating at least 15 are international, representing countries such as Australia,Jamaica and Croatia. There is even an international category called Home Cookin’ from the Homeland where teams show off their country’s traditional recipes.

Nearly 74 million U.S.households own at least one grill. According to Consumer Reports, the average cost of a grill is $275.

Jack Fact: Our cookers come with rigs costing as much as $15,000 that consist of several custom racks, smokers and rotisseries to ‘cue a hog to perfection.

The most popular food for barbecuing is burgers (82%), followed by steak, chicken and hot dogs.

Jack Fact: In one day, more than 3,900 pounds of pork, beef and chicken will be seared and served to entice our pavilion of Kansas City Barbeque Society and (lucky)celebrity judges.  Winners will take home their share of more than $30,000in cash and prizes

The most popular days in America to grill out are July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Jack Fact: Down in Lynchburg (pop. 361), one day stands above the rest. On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, the world’s best barbecue will be judged to crown the Grand Champion at the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue.

* Barbecue facts courtesy of Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (http://hpba.org/), Consumer Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org) and Wikipedia (http://wikipedia.org).

Facts post originally appeared here.

All Hogs Go to Heaven & Rhythm 'n Que

As if it wasn’t enough that never before in the more than 25 years of the Kansas City BBQ Society have THREE open/non-invitational full FOUR meat BBQ State Championships ever been accomplished in just 2 days. It turns out that ALL of the winners will advance to the 21st Annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue, yes all of them. The odds of that happening are just astronomical. Read the rest

Please see the following links for the Official 2009 Contest Results from KCBS:

Saturday’s Contest

Sunday’s Contest

Split Contest

In case you need to map anything you can this address as the central point in the contest site – 1061 West Texas, Fairfield, CA 94533 (corner of Taylor)

There are 3 Costco’s within 20 miles:

Closest

About 15 miles South

About 10 miles North

There are also 3 Wally Worlds within about the same 20 mile range:

Closest

About 10 miles north

About 10 miles south

For local groceries we strongly prefer Safeway.

Also in town there is a Railey’s, and lastly FoodMaxx, and there are 2 within 2 miles and both open 24 hours: North Texas & West Texas

In case you need them there are also a Target, Home Depot and Walgreen’s across the street from  where the FoodMaxx is on West Texas.

There is a Smart & Final about 15 miles South in Vallejo if you need that.

There is a BofA and Wells Fargo Banks/ATMs  and a Chevron gas station within steps of the contest site. The Chevron is about 2 blocks West, should be open 24 hours and sells ice if you don’t want to drive to get some.

Here are the rules in regards to the Mystery Meat Category ONLY.

1. Must be cooked, raw/uncooked product will be disqualified.

2. Must have 6 servings, or enough to get six samples from the entry.

3. Must be cooked and prepared ON SITE, meat should not leave the contest site, period.

4. Can use ANY cooking method or fuel – gas, electric, solar, etc.

5. Can use ANY garnish – ANYTHING GOES!

6. Not required to use 9 x 9 turn in containers, we’ll supply a 3 x 5 index card for your number and tape if need be to secure it. You MUST have your number on the entry (and not on the underside please!).

7. Limit turn in overall size to 18 x 18 x 18 or so, and must be carry able by a single person without assistance.

8. If you feel the need to ask – Can I/we make it part of a _____________________, most likely our answer will be YES! Keep in mind we are judging the MEAT, not the sides/extras.

9. Have fun and get creative!

10. Teams will get the Mystery Meat during the cooks meeting, and we hope to have enough to allow teams to do a test cook Fri night.

If  you have any additional cooked Mystery Meat, rest assured some of the support staff would very much enjoy trying your creations, hint hint, nudge nudge.

There will more hints before the contest….