British BBQ Society Forums

keith157 wrote:
Seriously gazz, can I suggest popping over to Toby's in November for the Guy Fawkes gig and scoping out what teams actually bring?

Yes you can, 1st time my work rota coincides with an event & allows me the privilege of returning to the halowed grounds of BBQ HQ

Trying to figure out in what capacity is a little bit of a teaser tho...

1)Spectate
2)Join a team low on heads and help out
3)Compete

One - ok but Friday is only open to teams

Two - most appealing option, non disclosure guaranteed for those daft enough to take on the evil one....

Three is the scariest of options, ok cooking backyard comp cuts individually but not done a full comp practice, all meats in a day keeping to timings etc. My other excuse is still building my team kit..... Which obviously holds little water as Toby will chime in anytime now and suggest he has spares....Doh!

Even Mrs Evil will be available, thinking of hiring a small motorhome and making it a minion outing.

It's all a little scary!

I don't know how long option 3 will be available as there may be a limit to the number of teams. I would suggest go and spectate and get there early on the Saturday morning to watch what the teams do and how they time it. Okay the first hour or so is generally getting over the Friday night But, I don't know how many teams will be staying on site or with the availability of forced air etc whether they will be staying nice and warm in a local hotel/motel.
Why don't you check yourself in at the May Grassroots Competition, it's generally the start of the IBQN competition season so you wouldn't be missing out on any. Just a suggestion.

You know me too well, i will have spares, however the grassroots in may is a good place to start, just come in November for the social

Toby wrote:You know me too well

Do I need to reserve or book places for Fawkes? Grassroots at MIM may be a possibility too......"gulp"

gazz_46 wrote:

Toby wrote:You know me too well

Do I need to reserve or book places for Fawkes? Grassroots at MIM may be a possibility too......"gulp"

Get a few of the world renown Beds Brethren together to get a team of 4/5 and you'll thoroughly enjoy yourselves!!

gazz_46 wrote:

gazz_46 wrote:

Toby wrote:There is a rough guide on our http://www.pitmasters.co.uk site

Doh!

I knew I'd seen one somewhere, been searching all day

Thanks Toby

I thought it was on Royal Q website but Steve is still to update it

Royal Q is no more bud

Steve wrote:Royal Q is no more bud

The force is still strong young Jedi

keith157 wrote:
Get a few of the world renown Beds Brethren together to get a team of 4/5 and you'll thoroughly enjoy yourselves!!

Any of the bruvvas fancy teaming up and competing in Grass Roots comp. at bbbqs headquarters next may?

Open to any and all ideas, it will be a 1st step into competing for me and looking to share the experience on a no pressure basis... I expect to get blown away but its an opportunity to meet, great and talk BBQ to anyone daft enough to pass by and listen, drink a few beers and have a right good chuckle at the same time

Give me a shout if interested

On the kit thing, all the advice is good, but if you on a budget, some alternatives to consider are:

- Tesco special Gazebo. We did our entire first season with a £7 special edition. It lasted, barely but it did the job
- Instead of a food warmer, we used a 40l cooler. Costs £9 in Tesco sale.

- Table. We used a wallpapering table. It was free and wobbly

- 3x Camping chairs from millets for £15

- We used Led magnetic lights, 2x with 8 AA from amazon, £5 delivered.

- Storage, we used our recycle box to transport all our kit/spices etc

There are other things you can get, but our initial setup costs including a tent/mattress was under £150 and lasted 3x comps. I would go the cheap route to decide if its for you or not. Who knows you could find yourself in the middle of a field in Tongham with a DJ, sound equipment, lasers and a smoke machine, it escalates quickly!

[quote="....There are other things you can get, but our initial setup costs including a tent/mattress was under £150 and lasted 3x comps. I would go the cheap route to decide if its for you or not. Who knows you could find yourself in the middle of a field in Tongham with a DJ, sound equipment, lasers and a smoke machine, it escalates quickly![/quote]

Wise words for starting out in competitions, once you know it's your new lifestyle then spend the big bucks and start a new life cycle. Oh one other thing no-one has mentioned......a tried and trusted hangover cure