Flying solo: A different perspective
By Keith Bailey
keithebailey@comcast.net
I always enjoy reading about my fellow BBQ colleagues and their endeavors. I particularly enjoyed reading George Hensler’s article published in the National Barbecue News’ October 2009 edition, recounting his experience’s in cooking with his team, and having friends around him. He goes on to say that he would never consider cooking a contest by himself due to the amount of work and camaraderie that his team enjoys.
When I’m at my best, I am cooking with Smokey Bottom Boys out of Bel Air, MD, with my partner, Tim Kany. But there are times when circumstances prohibit Tim from making contests, therefore, I am flying solo. Of course I miss his company and friendship, but never the camaraderie. BBQ folks are some of the nicest I’ve ever met, and always willing to jump in and lend a hand where they see it’s needed.
I don’t know how many times I’ve pulled up on a site alone and started assembling my 10’x20’ tent and someone has jumped in, without being asked, to give me a hand. I swear, I’m not wearing a “HELP ME”, or “HOW PATHETIC DO I LOOK” t-shirt, or anything of the sorts. I just pull up, get out of the vehicle, inspect the site, and get to work. That’s it. Yet they feel compelled to give a fellow BBQ’er a hand when they think it’s needed.
Of course, doing a contest by yourself is a lot of work. You alone are responsible for setting up your site, trimming and seasoning the meats, getting the cookers ready, cooking the food, making sure everything is running smoothly through the night, checking the cookers again Saturday morning as the other meats go on. Then there are the boxes. Thankfully, my wife will show up on Saturday morning to prep the boxes and run them for me. Then she performs the most thankless task of all, and the one I appreciate the most……clean up.
But Friday really isn’t so bad. I will print out a timeline I’ve developed for the contest, outlining when the trimming begins, starting the fires, putting the food in the cookers, prep time. This allows me to get my tasks done in a timely manner and time to visit with the other teams, of which I take full advantage.
When Friday evening falls, I’ll scrounge up some dinner and settle into my spot with, perhaps, a frosty beverage or two. At quiet time, however, you will usually find me in my cot, trying to get some sleep. And through the night, I set my phone to go off at certain time so I can perform whatever function needs to be performed at that time. Of course, I don’t really sleep soundly as I’m trying to make sure nothing goes wrong, catches fire. Well, you know.
Saturday morning will find me heating water for either coffee or hot chocolate, depending on the weather. Once my tasks are performed, I’ll wander around once again to visit the other teams. Sometimes it amazes me at just how busy they are while I have free time on my hands…….and they have several other teammates who are helping them! Am I really that organized, or just a major slacker? Inquiring minds want to know!
Actually, I’m still pretty tired at the end of a contest, so I must not be slacking. I think part of the reason I have some time is because I keep things simple and cook a minimal amount of food….16 pieces of chicken, 3 racks of ribs, 1 butt, 1 brisket. My theory is that it makes me focus a little more. My scores, however, say I’m not focused enough, except for chicken which seems to consistently do well. Oh well, live and learn.
As far as I’m concerned, the Saturday afternoon clean up and packing is the most grueling portion of doing solo. Thank goodness for my wife who will do the dishes and cleaning while I get the cookers ready for transportation. Okay, so that’s not really solo, but close enough!
So why do I subject myself to all of this? Have you not been paying attention? The love of BBQ, the chance to compete, and the opportunity to mingle, rub elbows, and become friends with some of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. So the next time you’re at a contest in the Mid-Atlantic area, look for Pleasant Nightmare BBQ and stop on in. I’ll appreciate the company.
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