We cooked our first double-header at the Gold Ribbin' BBQ Fest at Lambeau Field this past weekend. Not only did we survive, but we kept the Smoke Freak streak alive!
It was a fierce field of competitors with teams from 14 different states. We faced 65 other teams on Day 1 and 55 on Day 2, including 4 of the top 5 teams in the nation.
Truth be told, I was a little concerned at the start of Day 1. The team was working well together, but my head wasn't in the right place. I was making stupid mistakes left and right. Fortunately, the 9:22 shot calmed my nerves.
From that moment on it was a constant blur of activity. A blend of focus and fun. Smoke Freaks are totally serious about serving a great product to the judges, but we're Freaks, so we like to have a good time. Take for example, our team rally cry: "Smoke Freaks. Arrrrrrrgh. Hooooooowl. SMOKE FREAKS!" (That's because we're part pirate, part wolf and 100% freak.)
So how did we do? We wrapped up Day 1 with 10th in Chicken, 14th in Ribs and 17th overall out of 66 teams. We were thrilled. But no time to celebrate as we had to turn around and do it all over day on Day 2. Except this time we were down a Freak. Our Chicken Specialist couldn't join us so not only we were down to two Freaks, but I had to do the chicken cook on my own. No small task... just my first KCBS competition cook EVER.
Things got pretty hairy on Day 2 with that chicken cook. But we ended up with a 9th place call in Chicken, 12th in Pork and 23rd overall out of 55 teams. Yep, I got a chicken call! I couldn't believe it when they called for Smoke Freaks to come on up and get an award. I froze on stage and then was prompted to say or do something... so apparently I let out a very enthusiastic howl!!
We're off to New Palestine, IN this coming weekend for another double-header. You know what that means? It's time for New Palestine to get Freaky! So if you're in New Palestine this weekend, stop by to Taste the Freakage!
Here a few Freaky moments in Green Bay...