Tag Archive: NY

  1. BBQ In the Valley, Jamestown, NY – May 5-6

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    By Sean Moffatt, Pitmaster of Red Valley BBQ

    Rain, wind, threat of snow, thunder and lightning, and 37 minutes of sunshine.  These were the weather conditions the 26 teams got to enjoy at BBQ in the Valley in Jamestown, NY.  While the weather was having an identity crisis and was less than hospitable, the same couldn’t be said for the staff and volunteers at Hidden Valley Campground.  From the moment teams started to arrive until the last team left, the staff helped competitors navigate the muddy fields of the campground in the ever constant rain.  Several teams needed an assist from the resident tractor to get into and out of their spots, but once the teams were settled it was time to get down to business.

    Friday evening after the team meeting, the competitors got a chance to get out of the rain for a little while and enjoy a Cinco de Mayo potluck dinner in the pavilion.  The campground staff started things off with a taco bar, and the teams pitched in with items such as an enchilada casserole, 7-layer dip, and taquitos.  Once everyone had a chance to quell their appetites, it was back out into the rain to start cooking.

    Night began to fall and the campground staff and volunteers began to make the rounds to check on the team’s general well-being and to make sure no one had lost any small children in the mud caused by what seemed to be a non-stop rain.  And even though the competition was not open to the public, volunteers took turns every two hours to work as overnight security…in the rain.

    As night turned to day, surprisingly the rain continued, but it would not last.  The rain finally abated for a few hours to allow the teams to get turn ins completed.  The rain would return just in time to submit a pan of pulled pork for a people’s choice category in which the prize was a winner takes all $1000 check.  Hidden Valley was able to write a check from the proceeds from the people’s choice and a raffle of Cutco knives for $1041 in support of the Camp Good Days program.

    Awards were held in the pavilion because, unbelievably, a light rain was falling outside.  After the organizer Bill Woltmann gave props to the competition sponsors, he jumped straight into the award ceremony.  Winners of each category received a laser engraved cutting board while places 10th through 2nd received an engraved spatula.

    The first winner announced was the people’s choice champion.  Lo’-n-Slo’ BBQ walked away with the $1000 check and custom engraved cutting board.

    The KCBS awards were announced with several teams receiving two or more calls.  Shortsville Smokers received the cutting board in chicken, Lo’-N-Slo’ BBQ won ribs, Christmas City BBQ took honors in pork, and Spittin’ Feathers BBQ earned top spot in brisket with a 180, a feat rarely seen in New York.  At the end of the day, Shortsville Smokers received the Reserve Grand Champion cutting board, and Lo’-N-Slo’ BBQ headed home as Grand Champion.

    I usually have some reservations when it comes to a first year contest because many tend to have unforeseen issues and glitches.  As the weekend moved along, there were very few issues even with the rain.  The organizers and volunteers at Hidden Valley were well prepared for the event and KCBS Reps Robert McKee and Louise Weidner were fantastic in their duties.  If this contest was this well run in its first year, I can only imagine how good it will be in the future.  BBQ in the Valley should be on your contest radar for 2018.  No guarantee it won’t rain.

  2. MABA State Cup Contests for 2017 Officially Announced

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    The highest finisher from the native state where these contests take place will be eligible for additional prizes from the Mid-Atlantic Barbecue Association including a $250 check, attractive trophy, and possibly other great gifts, TBD!

    Delaware:
    Boo-B-Que Rehobeth Beach, De

    Maryland:
    Maryland State BBQ Bash Bel Air, MD

    New Jersey:
    Que by the Sea Seaside Heights, NJ

    New York:
    The Great Adirondack BBQ Old Forge, NY

    North Carolina:
    Tilley Harley-Davidson Biker Blues BBQ Rally and BBQ Classic Salisbury, NC

    Pennsylvania:
    Keystone Classic BBQ State Championship Harrisburg, PA

    Virginia:
    BBQ Jamboree-Day 1 Fredericksburg, VA

    West Virginia:
    Almost Heaven BBQ Bash Weston, WV

     

  3. The Great Adirondack BBQ Festival Old Forge, NY

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    By Stephanie West, MABA Vice-President and “The Neck” Pitmaster for Team 270 Smokers

    Contest logoCongratulations to Max Cohen and the townspeople of Old Forge, NY for putting on a terrific 1st year event!  It was a KCBS sanctioned NY State Championship and 24 teams came out to compete at the “Base Camp of the Adirondacks” despite widespread reports of BEAR the prior week.  Yes, bear are alive and (very) well in the region of Old Forge!  A mama scampered her 2 cubs up a tree right on Main Street, causing the police to reroute traffic for several hours.  The locals would’ve known to just leave those bear in peace however Old Forge attracts a lot of tourists – and everyone wants that photo for Facebook!  (Someone did, indeed, get a photo and it’s downloaded here from FB for your pleasure!)  No doubt, Mama bear was salivating at the thought of all the brisket and ribs to be smoked at the upcoming Great Adirondack BBQ Festival!

    Picture of a bear in a treeMax Cohen and his team took great care to repeatedly emphasize the importance of diligent preventative measures to keep those bears at bay…he did a regular check to ensure coolers were locked up & bear-proof, no garbage was left out, cars & campers were locked, and he even kept up his rounds of bear-patrol during the night on his golf cart.   This was one very dedicated and safety-minded contest organizer, and as a result it was completely uneventful from a wildlife perspective!  The raccoons didn’t even show up.

    The contest was held on the most spectacular stretch of turf that we’ve ever been on at a competition – freshly mown soccer fields!  We were within easy walking distance of downtown and the lake.  The community center at the soccer field had cedar-lined bathrooms with a shower, open all night long for the teams.  There were no trophies or ribbons, however a very generous $10K+ prize pool for a small 1st year event.  Volunteers collected our extra BBQ for a regional Veterans home, so nothing here was wasted.  We’ll definitely try to do this event again next year and plan to spend a few extra days in the area to enjoy some kayaking, hiking, and the charms of Old Forge!

    First place winners:
    Chicken – Checkered Flag 500 BBQ
    Ribs –Good Smoke BBQ
    Pork –Hellfire BBQ NY
    Brisket –270 Smokers

    Grand Champion –4:20 Q
    Reserve Grand Champion –Priorville

    Check out the full competition results here.

  4. Roc City Rib Fest, Rochester, NY

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    by Luke Darnell, MABA President and Pitmaster of Old Virginia Smoke

    The Roc City Ribfest is one of the only events in the Mid-Atlantic during the Memorial Day weekend.  The competition features 50 teams over a three day event right outside of Rochester, NY.

    And boy, was it a hot time.  95 degrees and higher over the days of the competition, which is very uncommon this far north even for the summer.  The competition was even hotter, with Insane Swine from Massachusetts notching a GC and Old Virginia Smoke finishing at RGC.  Roc City is also home to the NY MABA Cup, which was won again by Stubborn Bull BBQ and Tim Rohrs.   Congrats to all that heard their name called!
    Picture of Roc City Rib Fest, Rochester, NY

    First Place Winners:
    Chicken – Black Dawg BBQ
    Ribs – Red Valley BBQ
    Pork – Insane Swine BBQ
    Brisket – Insane Swine BBQ

    Grand Champion – Insane Swine BBQ
    Reserve Grand Champion – Old Virginia Smoke

    Check out the full competition results here.