A Taste of Carolina Tells What KCBS Competitors Want

Howard's got one helluva smoker!

More on Shelby, North Carolina Hog Happnin'

So, where were we? I was telling you about my trip to Shelby, North Carolina to do my Organizer Training for the Kansas City Barbeque Society portion (for my Hogging Up Festival) . I learned from Jerry and Joyce Gardner all the ins and outs of having a great contest and festival.....if you didn't read Part One (Grand Champion), or Part Two (Alston Bridges), better do so now.  The other reason I was there was to really talk to the competitors and find out what they are looking for.

Howard Wooten: One of the nicest guys on the BBQ circuit you'll ever meet. He's from Alexis, NC.

At Taste of Carolina, Howard Wooten

I spent a lot of time talking to Howard Wooten, from Alexis, North Carolina.  He is a regular at Hog Happnin' and explained a lot to me.  Lucky for him, this annual event is right down the street from his home, and knows most guys who are there.  The circuit is tight - they all know one another from this contest or that contest.

First off, I truly didn't realize how much money professional barbecue guys may spend going to a contest.  There may be an investment of $1000.00 easy wrapped in attending one event!  Howard explained, from the time they submit their applications to a contest, have to then buy the meat in four categories, ice, charcoal, supplies, and then factor in the high price of gas and tolls--it can get costly.

So I learned electric, space and water are requirements are a must for them.  If you have a ton of space, don't fret if they need a few extra feet.  Oh, and the goodie bags? Howard doesn't want another pen from a realtor he won't use. Why not give paper towels and aluminum foil, something he can use?

I'm watching carefully as Howard prepares his chicken. He is seasoning and getting ready to put it in the smoker.

For Howard, his huge smoker is set up on a trailer custom made to accommodate him and his right hand man Larry when they are competing. Complete set up with sinks, prep area, paper towels and chairs, this is where they do their thing. This of course didn't happen over night. Howard was originally on another team, then branched off on his own. Once he obtained the smoker he wanted, it took him a crane to get it on the trailer. (The trailer is actually build around the smoker.)

Now, chances of winning a competition like this are slim when you figure 60 to 80 competitors are usually in this contest. So why does he do it? 

The Family of the Kansas City Barbeque Socity

Howard says it's not about the money. It's a true love of barbecue, and networking with other barbecue guys, which some he considers like a second family.  (We heard that same story from everyone we asked...)  Howard's kids are all grown up and not too close by, so it's something he does and enjoys.   We get that - but how is there so much love in the KCBS? 


North Vs South Doesn't Really Matter, It's All One Big Family

This guy Charles Fretwell is from Boiling Springs, South Carolina, but welcomed to North Carolina just as well.

Howard doesn't mind all the local competitors, and says that he knows most of the out of state competitors, too as they compete together in contests , like B.S. Pitmeisters, (Charles Fretwell) from Boiling Springs, SC.  (Ironically, some of B.S. Pitmeister's best wins were in North Carolina, not South Carolina....) go figure.  

For Howard, it's not about where you are from or your zip code. It's a hobby (or sport) that everyone can enjoy doing. Howard has one golden rule, you have to help your neighbor if they need it, (need a thermometer, or ran out of ice,..) because one day you may need something too.  Now if you ask him an hour before turn in time and he may just give you a different answer, as tensions are high right before game time.

Charles Fretwell (BS Pitmeisters) was doing everything on his own in Shelby, from cooking to turning it in!

The only downfall? Howard explains that sometimes it's hard to understand why you did so bad at one contest, when you placed so well at another.  Even more confusing to competitors overall is when they see how the scores may appear high on your final sheet, but you still were not one of the top ten.  He says, it's all part of the challenge called BBQ Competitions, and you just regroup for your next competition.

How long will Howard do this?  As long as he wants to have good, clean fun.  Well, maybe not clean when you are covered in barbecue sauce.........but still......some of us would love to do that all weekend.   Special Thanks to Howard Wooten for his time and expertise.  More soon...

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Alston Bridges Barbecue North Carolina

Thursday the competitors were just arriving at the City Park in Shelby for the Hog Happnin'

Of course I'm going to drag out my trip to Shelby, NC as long as I can just to keep you in suspense. The wife and I went down primarily to see how a good Kansas City Barbeque Society festival is run for when we do HoggingUp next June. We learned from the best, HogHappnin in Shelby. Joyce and Jerry have been doing their event for 21 years.  We were supposed to be there Friday and Saturday, but we arrived on Thursday. Keep in mind the annual event is normally held at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds. The competitors had to relocate to the Shelby City Park due to unforseen circumstances.

Loyal competitors didn't mind moving from the Fairgrounds to the City Park, they've been coming from years. This is one big ass smoker.

We noticed that the transition from the Fairgrounds to the City Park was done in two weeks. Joyce and Jerry were on top their game and pulled it off just perfectly.  The competitors didn't mind making the move, and aside from having less electric than normal, they came out to help support this barbeque event. Each year Joyce and Jerry raise money for the local Children's Homes.  It is amazing.

This is the Allston Bridges Pork BBQ sandwich. It is covered in "red slaw."

But what do do on Thursday?  Not much. So we went to Alston Bridges Barbecue.  This looked small from the outside but there's plenty of seating. Done in old-timey down home country feel the prices are super reasonable. Maybe I just have a big appetite but I found the sandwiches are smaller than the Barbecue around my parts. After I ate my first sandwich, which was covered in red slaw (a sweet concoction of only North Carolinian's knows what -- that's completely brand spankin' new to me being a Yankee).....I realized I had to then eat another helping. I ordered a full platter that comes with their homemade hush puppies. 

Excuse me, I'm trying to eat.

Now they ask you if you want it chopped or pulled , and it doesn't really matter what you get because the pork barbecue is to die for. I'm not a fan of the red slaw by itself, but when you mix it with the pork it's tasty as anything. I assume the slaw must include some type of tomato or ketchup base, some vinegar, finely chopped cabbage and maybe what's in that little cup.  What you see there is their top secret au' jus which has a thin consistency but is so darn tasty.  I then found myself still hungry and wanting  to try the brisket.  I know, I'm a hog.

Brisket sandwich, much like the pork was slathered in red slaw.

Now I can't complain about the brisket. It melted in your mouth and tasted good with the slaw, but to me didn't leave me wanting seconds. Maybe because I had already eaten three servings of food for lunch?   I'm not saying you shouldn't try it, but the pork wins hands down. If you have the choice, go with the pork. I  have to say the pork was one of the best in North Carolina I've ever tasted.  So I really need to tell you if you are in Shelby, or in North Carolina hunting around for good barbecue, start here.

No excuses folks.

Food Photography 
 Hey, I get asked all the time if my photos are my own and they are. I get crazy with my camera or make the wife snap when she can, with her HTC smartphone believe it or not.  If you are looking for good Food Photography check out this site Photo-Flare.  In the meantime, stay tuned for more of my road trip adventures, news on the HogHappnin' and great places to eat in North Carolina. Oh, if you missed my Part One here it is,  Grand Champion Winner Two Old Men and a Grill 

Two Old Men and a Grill KCBS Grand Champion Shelby NC

I was pleased to say Congrats to Bob of Two Old Men & A Grill for winning his 9th? Grand Champion KCBS Title this year. I lost count.  He's the first one who greeted us in Shelby, NC

 
I recently took my trip to Shelby, North Carolina to the ORIGINAL Hog Happnin' to learn hard from organizers Joyce and Jerry Gardner.  Ironically, Bob from Two Old Men and a Grill was the very first friendly face I had met. He greeted me when I arrived and talked to me about Barbecue galore.  Suffice to say, he was the Grand Champion. Congrats to you my new friend!

Wife made me stop to snap this photo going into Shelby. The back roads are long and windy, and the cotton fields are amazing.

I wanted to learn all about the other side of life as it pertains to the Kansas City Barbeque Society side of festivals. The KCBS calls it the Organizer Training. I call it Priceless Enlightenment. I did this because of my HoggingUp festival coming up next June. Sure,  I have been participating in and even helping some festivals for 30 years, but what makes a KCBS one different? What do competitors want? What do they need? What makes them tick? What is the judging all about? What makes a good festival for them?  What makes Joyce and Jerry's so successful each year?  Why do judges drive half way across the country to judge barbecue (unpaid)? I was amazed at the answers and learned so much.  The dedication, commitment, and expertise of all involved makes these type things come together in a miraculous way. 

The old metal North Carolina sign now lines a truck bed. Upcycling at it's finest. Photos of the truck to come in the days to follow.

Now I guess you are wondering why I drove nine hours from my home in Baltimore to go to small town Shelby, North Carolina. My wife looked up and researched the some 380+ Kansas City Barbeque Society festivals and found that Shelby's is one of the older and most loved ones here on the East Coast.  Very popular with the folks who go there each year. Why?  We attribute that to the dedication of Joyce and Jerry Gardner. We thank them for having us and we'll tell you more soon. I have so many great pictures and stories to post, it will surely take me a month.  Everything from Joyce and Jerry's kindness to my first Livermush Sandwich. Oh yeah, stay tuned.

Thanks for reading.