FAQue – Let’s Get to Know the Boys From Poke N Smoke!

By Amy Overbey, MABA Board Member and Co-Pitmaster of Team Meat Coma

WHO IS ON THE TEAM AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

The team consist of Chris Safley, Joe Steinberg, Shaun Combs, Jared McVey, and Kevin Klaus. Most of us reside in Northern Virginia.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COMPETING?

We are in our 6th year of competing.

 HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR TEAM NAME/LOGO?

 The history of events are a little fuzzy but it all began at a Van Halen concert. Multiple choices were in the running but the name was voted on a few weeks later (with the help of a few adult beverages and a few games of corn hole). We had a few attempts with the logo because designers took liberties with Poke N Smoke and created options that were not exactly family friendly.

 WHAT SMOKER(S) DO YOU COOK ON?

 Offset Reverse Flow Smoker from HBT in Alabama.

 IF YOU COULD ADD A 5TH CATEGORY, AND IT CAN BE ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

 Probably Turkey. Outside the four categories we tend to cook turkey the most.

 WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO COOK (CAN BE A FAVORITE COMP, BUT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE, CAN BE ANYWHERE)?  

Favorite place to cook is just about any tailgate for an NCAA football game.

 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGE AT A COMPETITION?

 We usually prefer an adult beverage from Port City Brewery (Alexandria, VA). Our go to is Ways and Means, Monumental, or Long Black Veil.

ANY COMPETITION SUPERSTITIONS OR SOMETHING YOU CANNOT DO WITHOUT AT A COMPETITION?

 Not necessarily a superstition rather a tradition. The entire team must walk the last entry together.

WHAT IS YOUR GO TO FOOD AFTER A COMPETITION?

Chipotle chorizo bowl (with brown rice, pinto beans, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, and hot sauce).

 IF YOU WEREN’T COMPETING ALL WEEKEND, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING INSTEAD?

We can be found at football games (Go Vols!), biking, kayaking or walking the dogs.