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Viejas, Smokin' in the
Park
California State BBQ
Championship
Alpine, California
October 17 - 18, 2008
In 2005, Viejas, “Smokin in
the Park” was All Hogs go to Heaven’s first BBQ
competition. There we met Grant and Jenny Ford along
with Kelly and Kathleen McIntosh; they were our first
BBQ friends. It was such a great event to start out our
BBQ career. This year was no exception for the
professionalism and organization of this event. It was
fitting that Grant and Jenny were again the
representatives for the BBQ contest.
Steve, Ted and Ardith left
Lancaster on Thursday. Ted and Ardith stopped at Rick’s
café off of Hwy 138 for breakfast. The restaurant has a
big mirror on one wall. Ardith looked into the mirror
and there was the logo from the All Hogs go to Heaven
trailer reflecting in the mirror. It was Steve and the
BBQ trailer! He had seen the camper parked out front and
stopped to say “Hi”. After breakfast we proceeded to
Viejas together. Steve would be cooking for the judge’s
class presented by Gene Goycochea on Friday. Once we
arrived at Viejas we met with Nancy Kennedy and she
helped us get set up in the parking lot. It was amazing
the detail that was presented at the class as Kelly and
Kathleen put the boxes together for the future judges to
view.
Team members, Toni and Ron,
along with other family members, Kathy and Don Akin,
Pat, Craig, and Craigie Stevenson, Michele, Erik, and
Ryan Kirschbaum arrived on Friday. We had a big dinner
on Friday eve with Steve making BBQ bologna
patties! Friday night would have Steve staying up most
of the night preparing the meat for the contest the next
day. Everyone was busy on game day, as Toni did the
garnish, Ron helped cut the meat, and Ted ran the boxes.
When the awards were
announced we received 13th overall out of 52
teams. We placed 24th in chicken, 42nd
in ribs, 2nd in pull pork, and 13th
in brisket. A great time was had by all and we already
look forward to next year.
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