BAR-B QC: Grand Champion (left) T-Daddy's BBQ and Reserve Grand (right)) Loose Cannon BBQ
DAVENPORT, IA (September 10, 2022) - When I received my confirmation email to judge the 2nd Annual BAR-B-QC contest in Davenport, IA (although the first year for a KCBS contest), it was packed full of a lot of detailed and helpful information. I got a sense this was going to be a very well-organized BBQ contest and I was right.
Located at LeClaire Park (downtown Davenport, Iowa), the contest is nestled right up along the Mississippi River. BBQ teams lined up on a very beautiful red brick lot, accented by white and gray brick trim throughout. Everything looks so clean and organized. Jaycees of the Quad Cities is off to a good start.
KCBS contest reps, Eugene and Sarah Wickham, welcomed all judges with a smile, along with event organizers Chris and Chad. I spoke with them briefly about BAR-B-QC. Here is a brief video clip...
Located at LeClaire Park (downtown Davenport, Iowa), the contest is nestled right up along the Mississippi River. BBQ teams lined up on a very beautiful red brick lot, accented by white and gray brick trim throughout. Everything looks so clean and organized. Jaycees of the Quad Cities is off to a good start.
KCBS contest reps, Eugene and Sarah Wickham, welcomed all judges with a smile, along with event organizers Chris and Chad. I spoke with them briefly about BAR-B-QC. Here is a brief video clip...
VIDEO CLIP
BAR-B-QC ORGANIZERS
JUDGING
Inside the judge tent, we had a great view of the Mississippi River. When judge check in concluded, we were short a few judges. So the contest organizers found a nice couple who were just going to go have a few drinks and watch the bands and they agreed to help.
KCBS contest reps, Eugene and Sarah Wickham, handled the situation perfectly. The volunteer couple took on the role as Table Captains instead of judging. The Wickham's made sure everything went smooth by giving a hands-on approach every step of the way, guiding the couple through all stages of the process. KUDOS!
It's important contests make every effort to have all Certified BBQ Judges who are trained to follow the KCBS rules. It's expensive to roll in a rig to a competition and having 100% Certified BBQ Judges creates a level playing ground for all competing. So KUDOS to Eugene and Sarah!
It's important contests make every effort to have all Certified BBQ Judges who are trained to follow the KCBS rules. It's expensive to roll in a rig to a competition and having 100% Certified BBQ Judges creates a level playing ground for all competing. So KUDOS to Eugene and Sarah!
When it came to judging, the Chicken category was the favorite at my table. For me, I enjoyed Pork category the most. All I can say (without describing the boxes) is that the Pork samples were so tender and delicious. KCBS does not allow judges to compare boxes and if they did, this would be a hard category to judge.
All BBQ judges received a free BAR-B-QC T-shirt which was pretty cool.
All BBQ judges received a free BAR-B-QC T-shirt which was pretty cool.
MEETING THE TEAMS
One of my favorite moments at a BBQ contest is doing a walk-around and talking to the teams. I saw some familiar faces, and some not so familiar who turned out to be Facebook friends who I had never met. T-Daddy's BBQ.is one of those teams.
I had a great talk with Tory and Paula Ketelsen (T-Daddy's BBQ) and they even presented me with a bottle of their T-Daddy's BBQ Original BBQ Sauce. I added this to my BBQ Critic product revew list, so more on this later in the Fall when I launch that review section. It was great to see them win Grand Champion today, and a 180 in Chicken. Tory's reaction to that 180 was a joy to watch. Nice job team!
I had a great talk with Tory and Paula Ketelsen (T-Daddy's BBQ) and they even presented me with a bottle of their T-Daddy's BBQ Original BBQ Sauce. I added this to my BBQ Critic product revew list, so more on this later in the Fall when I launch that review section. It was great to see them win Grand Champion today, and a 180 in Chicken. Tory's reaction to that 180 was a joy to watch. Nice job team!
 BBQ Critic with Paula and Tory Ketelsen |  T-Daddy's BBQ Original BBQ Sauce |
On over to Stone Cold Grillers. Scott Parkins offered me a sample of pork to try. This pork (especially the money muscle) in KCBS terms was EXCELLENT! Then he broke the bad news. Scott was 10 seconds late to turn-in, so the box was disqualified. What I sampled was the actual turn-in box!
Stone Cold Grillers PORK BOX that never made it to the judge table. It was DELICIOUS!
Man, I felt bad for the guy. I am sad for both Stone Cold Grillers and the judges. In my opinion, this box was worthy of a 999. Now we will never know. Regardless, nice job on that pork box, Scott. You nailed it! Thanks for letting me sample it.
The pork category was very competitive based on my experience in the judge tent. Rick Stach and Tom Smith (Smitty's Smokehouse) rose to the top with a 180 win in pork. It was great hanging out with you at the contest. Congrats, guys!
The pork category was very competitive based on my experience in the judge tent. Rick Stach and Tom Smith (Smitty's Smokehouse) rose to the top with a 180 win in pork. It was great hanging out with you at the contest. Congrats, guys!
SMITTY'S SMOKEHOUSE wins 180 in pork!
BAR-B-QC is now a wrap. Congratulations to all 13 teams competing. Great job T-Daddy's BBQ on your Grand Champion and congrats to Loose Cannon BBQ for the Reserve Grand. In addition to the KCBS contest, there was a People's Choice Award for the food vendors. Bayside Bistro won "Best Sauce" and Smokin' Goodness won "Best Ribs."
The Jaycees of the Quad Cities and event organizers created a stellar event at LeClaire Park, executed with a fire of passion for their mission. A lot of great sponsors made this event happen including Midwest Grilling Supplies, a Davenport BBQ store I need to visit next time I am in the area.
Great job, BAR-B-QC! I will definitely be back next year.
-- BBQ CRITIC
The Jaycees of the Quad Cities and event organizers created a stellar event at LeClaire Park, executed with a fire of passion for their mission. A lot of great sponsors made this event happen including Midwest Grilling Supplies, a Davenport BBQ store I need to visit next time I am in the area.
Great job, BAR-B-QC! I will definitely be back next year.
-- BBQ CRITIC
GRAND CHAMPION
 GRAND CHAMPION - T-Daddy's |  T-Daddy's BBQ by the Mississippi River |
VIDEO: T-DADDY'S BBQ
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION
 RESERVE GRAND - Loose Cannon BBQ |  Loose Cannon BBQ by the Mississippi River |
TOP 3 CHICKEN
1st Chicken T Daddy's BBQ
 2nd Chicken Loose Cannon BBQ |  3rd Chicken - Midwest Grilling Supplies accepting award on behalf of the winner Weez' Groovin' BBQ |
180 in Chicken - T-Daddy's BBQ
TOP 3 RIBS
1st Ribs - Midwest Grilling Supplies accepting award on behalf of the winner Weez' Groovin' BBQ
 2nd Ribs - T Daddy's BBQ |  3rd Ribs - Loose Cannon BBQ |
TOP 3 PORK
1st Pork - Smitty's Smokehouse
 2nd Pork - Shmack Q |  3rd Pork - Loose Cannon BBQ |
PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for BBQ Vendors
 Best BBQ - Smokin' Goodness |  Best Sauce - Bayside Bistro |
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