2010 Competitions Page

Welcome to our 2010 competitions page. This page will provide information on past and future competitions that we have or will be competing in. We compete in KCBS sanctioned-contests which have four main categories, including chicken, pork, brisket, and pork rib. Medals/trophies/plaques are awarded for the top positions in each category. Additionally, an overall grand champion and reserve grand champion are crowded based on total points. The KCBS competitions utilize "blind box" judging where each participant submits a box with each category to the judges for blind judging (judges do not know which submission belongs to which participant). Points are awarded for appearance, tenderness, and taste. Although you might think it would be easy to put the food in the box, you'd be surprised at the level of effort that goes in to just preparing the boxes. From time to time individual competitions will include additional categories that are no factored into the total grand champion points, but typically offer their own awards.

Smoke on the Water, North Little Rock, AR (March 19th-20th)

The worlds first EVER $100,000.00 BBQ competition. Awesome payouts for sure! We got $225.00, yeeehaaa. Thank God for our ribs, cause we stunk up the place otherwise. A decent overall finish, but we are really looking forward to Salisbury now. For a great story, check out "The Incident", coined by Daniel P. on our blog.

Our home for the weekend

Pork in the Park, Salisbury, MD (April 16th-17th)

The site of our first ever KCBS competition. Wow has this event grown, 132 teams for 2010! We faired well, getting a big call in brisket and a 10th overall finish. Certainly can't complain about that. The big news is this was the first competition for Chris Hall (Big Ugly BBQ) as an "official" member of the team. We can't be happier to have him on the team!

Dan McGrath prepping the whole hog (Thanks to hot sauce daily for the pic)

Grillin' & Chillin' 2010, Conowingo, MD (April 30th-31st)

Not KCBS sanctioned, but we don't like "off weeks" so we are doing this fun little comp. Plus, we decided to mix it up a bit and pit Dan H vs Chris. Suffice to say that despite Dan H choking in the rib category, he still got the job done and beat Chris who finished 7th overall. More important, a new pork technique REALLY paid off! Looking forward to having the team together again for Green Lane.

Smoke in the Valley, Green Lane, PA (May 14th-15th)

A total of 49 teams showed up for this comp put on by the Green Lane Volunteer Fire Department. We had a great time and our food really came through with a Reserve Grand! I can't begin to say how happy I am with the new Backwoods Fatboy smoker. Absolutely amazing cooker that is making life a lot easier. And big props to Chris on the new brisket injection :)

Dan H and Chris with RGC Trophy

Middletown BBQ Cookoff, Middletown, DE (May 21st-22nd)

Pretty good first year event, with 42 teams. We had all hands on deck for this one and we looked like a well oiled machine. Ended up with a 5th place finish, but more important, our ribs are back! Congrats to Black Cat BBQ on their first ever Grand Championship!

Roc City Ribfest, Rochester, NY (May 29th-30th)

Our first ever NY competition and it was awesome! Our spot? RIGHT on the beach, couldn't have asked for a better spot. And the organizer actually took us to our site at 12:30 in the morning on Saturday. Cost of ice - free. Breakfast - free. Dinner Saturday - free. Awards - late....but hey no ones perfect. Already looking forward to next year. KCBS had 69 teams, the ribfest 104 and big congrats to I-Que on the NEBS grilling GC.

Dan H, Casey and Chris with the 2nd place pork trophy

Beltway BBQ Showdown, Upper Marlboro, MD (June 4th - 5th)

We did it! Our first ever repeat at a contest. Grand Champions second year in a row. And even better, FINALLY got our 1st place brisket trophy that the collection has been missing. Now the team can stop listening to Dan H complain about that. Big props to Dan Mc for taking the time from the restaurant to setup, huge thanks to Chris for taking the red eye from LAX to join us Saturday and especially to Jonathan for putting on the contest. Does anyone hear 3peat, lol?

Dan Hixon, Dan McGrath and Chris Hall with Grand Champion Hardware

Brick Street BBQ, Marietta, OH (June 11th -12th)

Right across the river from where Tracy grew up is Marietta, OH so we had lots of friends and family visiting for our first time at this event and they certainly brought us good luck. We had 4 walks to the stage including another 1st place brisket award and reserve grand champion! Other than the humidity this was a great comp!

Chris, Dan H and Tracy with the goods!

National Capital BBQ Battle, Washington, DC (June 26th-27th)

This was a big one, a double. Saturday was KCBS and Sunday MBN. 107 Degrees under the canopy at turn in time. Hot damn. Our results? Well, I listed them below, but no excuses. Time for the next competition!

Que and Cruz, Louisa, VA (July 16th-17th)

3 Eyz BBQ and Big Ugly BBQ faced off against each other for the second time at this one. Technically 3Eyz "won" but really, we both kinda stunk up the place. The results are once again showing the mid season slump that we always seem to have. That's ok though, we had a blast. Bill Small did a great job and Black Cat deserves a big congrats for taking the GC.

Holy Smoke BBQ, Easton, MD (July 23rd-24th)

OK, first time contests = ?. The venue gets a C- at best, but the organizers REALLY tried hard and other than late results, things went ok. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided at this one with plenty of bathrooms, water, electric and space. I hope they stick with it for next year. Our results? Better and looks like we are turning the corner and getting our second wind. A couple weeks off and its time for the home contest of Bel Air!

Bel Air BBQ Bash, Bel Air, MD (August 13th-14th)

Our home contest. Wouldn't miss this one for the world.

Diamond State BBQ Championship, Dover, DE (August 20th-21st)

Dover in August? Really? Yes, really. Moving the date to avoid the "freezing rain" and "cold temps". Yea, ok. Instead insert severe storms and potentially record heat and humidity. Anyway, yes, we are doing it.

New Holland Summerfest, New Holland, PA (August 27th-28th)

The 3Eyz team received RGC honors at this comp last year. What does this year have in store for us?

Pickin in the Panhandle, Hedgesville, WV (September 10th-11th)

Woohooo Blue Grass music, Dan H's favorite......NOT. Regardless, this is a good contest.

Que by the Sea, Seaside Heights, NJ (September 24th-25th)

Dan H helped Big Ugly's BBQ at this one last year and liked it so much the team is heading to the Jersey shore. This is also the 3rd time 3Eyz and Big Ugly is facing off head to head, but who's paying attention to that right?

Keystone Classic Barbeque, Harrisburg, PA (October 1st-2nd)

With Front Royal Canceled, 3Eyz is returning to Harrisburg, PA.

Smoketoberfest, Chambersburg, PA (October 15th-16th)

Big Ugly BBQ won this event last year, so Chris will be competing to defend his title. And just because he's a fan of a good challenge, Dan H will be trying his best to rip that title right out of his arms. Who shall prevail? Tune in to see, lol.

THE DEGAQUE, Talladega, AL (October 29th-30th)

This one gets me excited. First of all, you have to say the name in the deepest voice possible - THE DEGAQUE, just has a great ring to it. And for $50k we'll be heading down again, this year with full on mud gear. And maybe, just maybe the last comp of the season. But Dan H is already keeping an eye on November and December comps.........

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