Barbecue in the South is in itself, an art form. If you have watched the Food Channel visiting barbecue competitions, loved the program and thought it might be something you'd like to attend...just do it. The Egg-Nazi and I visited "Smoke on the Water" in Winter Haven, Florida. Mr. Bill tasting, beef brisket, ribs and pulled pork....his vote, the pulled pork. We did not stay long, the crowds outrageous, the noise, even loud for Mr. Bill's deaf ears, and the smoke, tough on the eyes. But....it is one of those things we can now say, been there, done that.
Larry the Cable Guy would of been "at home" at this event. Absolutely one hundred percent, "Red-Neck Heaven". Let me say, this is not a place for the faint-hearted, fastidiously clean grill master. What caught us totally by surprise, public health or the lack of. To think what people in Connecticut must obtain prior to any food event, permits and health inspections all required, all in the name of food safety, today would of given any food inspector a major coronary attack. This was a gastrointestinal nightmare. On a positive note, this was probably in the top-ten social events of the season....for a Red-Neck. By the size of the majority of barbecue attendees, they do this often, very often!
The participants work to improve there overall standings. They travel cross America competing in one barbecue competition after another, some traveling in the most sophisticated RV's. Others looked as though their accommodations and equipment had been fashioned from the junk that once cluttered the front yard of Johann, the Nephew...Great. Now that I really think about it, Johann's junk might be an improvement for some of these homemade cooking units. Yet, as we watched these people consume everything barbecue, that includes alligator tail, drink beer, down monstrous strawberry shortcakes, then repeat the process numerous times, I don't think food safety was high on their list of priorities. I would think if someone had a booth for antacids, they'd of raked in the big bucks today.
We now realize that much like watching these competitions on TV, "ya really gotta be there!" Mr. Bill's golfing buddies had talked about these events, calling them the best food they ever tasted. I will keep my opinion to myself. Yes, we live in Florida, we love the sunshine, the healthier lifestyle, this not being one of those better choices, yet it was enjoyable from the people watcher stand point. Every shape, size, age, ethnic group and anything else different attended this event. I believe they were all there at exactly the same time we arrived. Today's gathering benefited the local boys and girls clubs in the area, our main reason for attending. Florida does many things for it's young people. It seems the more priviledged are ever so dedicated to making life better for those that have little to look forward to...I applaud these volunteers and their undying committment to help their neighbors. As a side bar: Johann, the Nephew...Great, would of felt quite at home today, there were many that resembled him. Maybe he is just living in the wrong area of the world.....they say everyone has a twin, this however, reminiscent of the "Twilight Zone", there were many Johanns.
Larry the Cable Guy would of been "at home" at this event. Absolutely one hundred percent, "Red-Neck Heaven". Let me say, this is not a place for the faint-hearted, fastidiously clean grill master. What caught us totally by surprise, public health or the lack of. To think what people in Connecticut must obtain prior to any food event, permits and health inspections all required, all in the name of food safety, today would of given any food inspector a major coronary attack. This was a gastrointestinal nightmare. On a positive note, this was probably in the top-ten social events of the season....for a Red-Neck. By the size of the majority of barbecue attendees, they do this often, very often!
The participants work to improve there overall standings. They travel cross America competing in one barbecue competition after another, some traveling in the most sophisticated RV's. Others looked as though their accommodations and equipment had been fashioned from the junk that once cluttered the front yard of Johann, the Nephew...Great. Now that I really think about it, Johann's junk might be an improvement for some of these homemade cooking units. Yet, as we watched these people consume everything barbecue, that includes alligator tail, drink beer, down monstrous strawberry shortcakes, then repeat the process numerous times, I don't think food safety was high on their list of priorities. I would think if someone had a booth for antacids, they'd of raked in the big bucks today.
We now realize that much like watching these competitions on TV, "ya really gotta be there!" Mr. Bill's golfing buddies had talked about these events, calling them the best food they ever tasted. I will keep my opinion to myself. Yes, we live in Florida, we love the sunshine, the healthier lifestyle, this not being one of those better choices, yet it was enjoyable from the people watcher stand point. Every shape, size, age, ethnic group and anything else different attended this event. I believe they were all there at exactly the same time we arrived. Today's gathering benefited the local boys and girls clubs in the area, our main reason for attending. Florida does many things for it's young people. It seems the more priviledged are ever so dedicated to making life better for those that have little to look forward to...I applaud these volunteers and their undying committment to help their neighbors. As a side bar: Johann, the Nephew...Great, would of felt quite at home today, there were many that resembled him. Maybe he is just living in the wrong area of the world.....they say everyone has a twin, this however, reminiscent of the "Twilight Zone", there were many Johanns.
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