American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri

5 to 7 October 2007

It’s hard to believe that one year has passed since our first visit to the American Royal.  All Hogs go to Heaven won the Grand Champion in the Go for the Gold BBQ contest in Victorville, California in June.  This year things would be different since they moved the date back one day, making it impossible for Toni and Ron to attend because of a work conflict.  Ted and Ardith had a Classic Chevy show to attend from 1 to 4 October in Temecula, California.  It was decided that Steve and Vince would drive to Kansas City on Tuesday around 5:00 pm - Vince can drive now so that was a big help to his Dad.  They ended up in El Reno, Oklahoma on Wednesday eve, what a trip that was.  They then proceeded on Thursday 4 October to drive into the American Royal.  We got the same spot as last year.  Ted and Ardith would be flying into Kansas City on 4 October. 

When the team was together on Friday morning, it was decided to go to Arthur Bryant’s BBQ restaurant.  That was a fun trip as we were so lost both coming and going to Arthur Bryant’s!  It’s just not an easy town to get around in.  The weather this year was so hot and humid that we went through 4 cases of water, between the 4 of us in 3 days!  The first day of the contest we not only had the classic 4 meats, but also had to do the side dishes.  Steve did the vegetable dish, Vince did the potato dish, and Ardith did the beans and dessert.  Ted had the hardest job of all being the runner and delivering the dishes on time.  He counted his steps and he had to make 8 trips of 948 steps round trip from our space to the turn in table.  The next day he did 5 trips!   The rain held off until the very last turn in on Sunday.  As we walked to the awards ceremony you could tell the locals who had umbrellas and the tourists with plastic bags to protect them from the rain!  After the awards on Sunday Steve and Vince headed for home and Ardith and Ted flew home on Monday.  It was a great time and an adventure we will not soon forget. 

Invitational BBQ event results with 100 grand champion teams:

Overall score 78 out of 100 teams, chicken score 92, ribs score 36, pull pork score 56, brisket score 83

Open competition BBQ event results with 471 BBQ teams:

Overall score 100 out of 471 teams, chicken score 40 out of 459 teams; ribs score 199 out of 465 teams, pull pork score 217 out of 461 teams, brisket score 141 out of 460 teams, and sausage score 226 out of 325 teams.

Overall in vegetables score 109 out of 195 teams.  Vegetable score 117 out of 131 teams, beans score 180 out of 180 teams, and potatoes score 123 out of 137 teams, dessert score 13 out of 111 teams.