Get Your Grill On

When you get involved in competitive barbeque contests you learn quickly that there are many individuals in this sport who are incredibly talented at what they do. These are men and women take this sport seriously, doing their best to produce barbeque so close to perfection that it becomes a barbeque enthusiasts dream just to eat their barbeque.So when you find out who these individuals are, you try and watch what they do, ask questions and hope to gain some knowledge and insight. Hopefully these experts are teaching what they do; what’s different than what you do yourself.

Hoping to come up with the next barbeque nirvana, I began looking for barbeque cooking classes. In the process I put together my own criteria in selecting a competition cooking class to attend.

First, I wanted to learn from someone who has won the awards that we all wish to win ourselves. Second, this individual(s) also needed to still be competing on the circuit. In my opinion this was the most important choice because the class would be centered on what is going on NOW and not what used to be the case when they competed on the competition barbeque circuit.

Third, I wanted to have the opportunity to not get lost in the numbers of an overcrowded class. I wanted to have the ability to watch up close, take notes and ask those questions I’ve had for years but just haven’t found the individual(s) who could answer them. In order to accomplish this, the class would be pricey; I knew this and so I prepared to pay the price.

Bottom line I found a class that met the criteria and surpassed my expectations in the process! My wife and I attended Buffalo’s BBQ Competition Cooking Class put on by Donny Teel and his wife Cindy and their daughter Whitney. The class I attended was held in Pueblo Colorado.

If you have never heard of Donny Teel, allow me to give you a short biography of this man and his accomplishments that was included with the class registration

Donny has won over 40 GRAND CHAMPIONS!

• Scored 717.1430 out of 720 possible!
• Won Jack Daniels in 2005
• Won American Royal 2004
• Reserve Grand Champion (2nd place) American Royal 2005-2006
• Champions of Rocky Mountain Cup 2006
• KCBS Team of the Year in Pork 2006
• KCBS 2nd Overall Team of the Year Ribs 2006
• 16 Perfect Scores in a KCBS barbeque competition (180)
• 5 Perfect-Perfect   (180).

Students that have taken this class in the past have taken many years off the learning curve of competition barbeque not counting all the money and miles it would take to get to this level of contest cooking. It was because of Donny’s records and reputation within the Kansas City Barbeque Society that my wife and I chose to attend this class. In our opinion it was the best investment we have made to date!

Donny starts off the class explaining what his goals are in teaching; covering all aspects of the competition cook from selecting the meat and trimming to smoking the meat on the pit. You’re present from start to finish, asking questions, taking notes and finally tasting the finished product.

The cost for the class in Pueblo was $500. I know this is a lot of money, but how often do you have the opportunity to sit, talk and learn from someone who is walking the walk and talking the talk? After attending this class and learning why Donny Teel is the best I can honestly say I would happily pay MORE to attend again, no questions asked!

If you have a desire to improve your competition cooking or just want to learn the difference between good Barbeque and the sublime, I would encourage you to contact Donny Teel at: Phone: 918-633-0673 and visit http://www.tbazone.com/alley/  for the next cooking class being held on 10/17/2008 in Sperry, OK .

I highly recommend registering early to avoid missing out due to the class filling to capacity. If your unable to attend this class, but are interested in attending a future class email Donny your information and let him know your interest in attending his class!

Consider this quote from Donny:

“ It just takes a few walks to the stage to offset the cost of this class. Even if you don’t cook exactly the way I do, just some of the techniques that you will pickup could be what gets your BBQ team to be the last one said for the day and those words: THE GRAND CHAMPION IS: insert your team name here”

Let Donny know you read this article and that the Bossman sent you! This is one investment you will not regret ,and one where you will use the skills, techniques and knowledge for many years to come. Smoke On!