Contest Announcment Bear's Smokehouse New England BBQ Championships - Hartford, CT - 9/5-6

[Skip]

Skip,

thanks for the pointers, working on eliminating the electric. The insurance fee only applies if you are doing the peoples choice but in order to offset that cost if you participate the registration fee is dropped to $300.

Also I believe the prize pool is posted now. I have personally committed 20K, so the pool is at the very least that. As we get more sponsors the pool will increase.

Please post the website link to the prize pool. Sorry your brethren brothers are lazy. Well I can only speak for me.

The transparency is nice and thank you for that. I think the competititors will all light up when they realize that the prize pool is set completely outside the entry fees which means the pool could grow incredibly. Thats definitely a draw.

The $100 dollar drop in the entry fee for peoples choice participants is nice and will definitely sway a bunch of people. Also the clarification that 400 samples isn't mandatory but a wish of the organizer to satisfy the visitors. Which is the reason these events succeed or fail. If the competitor cooks what they are provided they have met their peoples choice requirement. Although they probably aren't going to be in the running for the extra 4K in peoples choice money.

I emailed organizer with same question...here is response:

Hi Timothy,

Thank you for your interest in the Bear’s Smokehouse New England BBQ Competition. In addition to the $100 discount off the Registration Fee for People’s Choice participants, we are also contributing meat towards the People’s Choice competition. Our expectation is that competitors will supplement the balance of the food with whatever they think will impress the attendees to win $4,000 in prize money. The 1st night is a fundraiser for Riverfront Recapture so we appreciate the support and participation of all of our competitors.

Thank you,
Charlie

Sounds like the Peoples Choice is a real competition. Many of us are familiar with all the food being donated yet all remember how you can buy extra ribs for buck a bone and such. We have seen teams do it all the time. I think whats getting us is that its spelled out rather than implied. Peoples Choice is normally a token dollar amount and a plastic trophy. I think we need to see this as a competition not a fundraiser.

Now those of you who know me are probably wondering where I went and who this person is responding but as much as I call foul in other instances I really think this one is all about the newness of the contest and an organizer willing to learn but not knowing all he needs to know.

To Bear's BBQ I would suggest looking into a rider on your competition insurance for the peoples choice. Fees like this are atypical and will turn away seasoned competitor just for the principle. Also state that your 20K prize pool is guaranteed and that it may go higher as you stated above. You have disturbed the sense of normalcy in contests and people aren't seeing the forest through all the trees. Please identify your differences and help the people realize you aren't just a "normal" contest. It may limit the pool of teams you can get but you will draw the teams who are confident in their ability to win on Sunday.

 

[trohrs123]

I would add that many teams shy away from a People's Choice depending upon the format...when the public comes around from booth to booth to sample, it not only is a time killer for teams to stand around all day but it also becomes popularity contest. The "local" team invites all their friends to come down and vote, where teams from elsewhere have no way to combat that...and even if that local team have NO friends, John Q Publiv votes for the home town favorite. Out of state teams have no chance and they invested a ton of time and money for a contest that is inherently unfair. Now, if the people's choice entries are turned in to a central location and are blind sampled with the contest volunteers helping giving out samples, that's a different ball of wax. Just my two cents

 

[Slamdunkpro]

Please post the website link to the prize pool. Sorry your brethren brothers are lazy. Well I can only speak for me.

The transparency is nice and thank you for that. I think the competititors will all light up when they realize that the prize pool is set completely outside the entry fees which means the pool could grow incredibly. Thats definitely a draw. ................................................

Also state that your 20K prize pool is guaranteed and that it may go higher as you stated above. You have disturbed the sense of normalcy in contests and people aren't seeing the forest through all the trees. Please identify your differences and help the people realize you aren't just a "normal" contest. It may limit the pool of teams you can get but you will draw the teams who are confident in their ability to win on Sunday.

It's great that all of this is coming out but as a potential competitor i can only go by what's written on the competition's website. Frankly the website leaves me a little wary, it's not easy to navigate and other than the items i already asked about there are a number of other things on the site that give me pause, not just the conditions, but that they aren't in plain site. Here's a few: (direct from the comp website)

• Riverfront Recapture is the only entity that can legally provide or serve alcohol in the Riverfront Parks. It is illegal to bring in your own alcohol and consume it before, during, or after the event.
• Generators require a permit from the City of Hartford ...
• Generators may not be refueled during event times.
• Potable water will be provided on site, but you should have containers and the ability to transport the containers from the source. $400 entry fee and its a haul water event??
• 40 lb. bags of cube ice can be pre-ordered on your Team Registration for $12/bag. $12 a bag?? Smells of gouging
• Any tent larger than 10’ X 10’ must be permitted through the City of Hartford
• Vehicles will not be permitted in the event site until after the conclusion of the event on Sunday, September 6 - no packing up until after awards regardless of weather

So as a competitor that does people's choice with a generator and a 10x20 EZup I'm now looking at 3 city permits in addition to everything else.

 

[Skip]

I would add that many teams shy away from a People's Choice depending upon the format...when the public comes around from booth to booth to sample, it not only is a time killer for teams to stand around all day but it also becomes popularity contest. The "local" team invites all their friends to come down and vote, where teams from elsewhere have no way to combat that...and even if that local team have NO friends, John Q Publiv votes for the home town favorite. Out of state teams have no chance and they invested a ton of time and money for a contest that is inherently unfair. Now, if the people's choice entries are turned in to a central location and are blind sampled with the contest volunteers helping giving out samples, that's a different ball of wax. Just my two cents

Thanks Tim I think you hit the nail on the head. People like yourself who will have the confidence to join a contest with such a steep entry fee are also seasoned cooks and have been around the block. You've done a number of Peoples Choice competitions and know what they are normally all about. You only participate because its usually a charitable event and the proceeds go to something good. As well the product is normally provided through donations and you know that its a way to get people in the gate and keep a competition running.

The idea of a central blind distribution is wonderful and would make the competition fair but would also remove the aspect of Peoples Choice that helps the event. The Public being able to walk around and interact. If they can go to a central tent than why would they walk around and look? If walking around and looking isn't fun than how do you keep the vendors in the gate. If you don't keep the vendor in the gate why do the people come back the next year to not walk around and interact?

If we don't engage the public they will visit your comp once. 99% are there to try some BBQ. I cringe when I hear some teams say at peoples choice "well this isn't our competition food". Even if its true we shouldn't tell them that. The smell of the smoke the allure of the competition will make anything you give them the best BBQ they've ever had if its decent.

Maybe trying to make Peoples Choice a legit comp is "jumping the shark". Maybe the prize pool should be reconsidered and more donated food should be the alternative. $1000 dollars into meat would go a long way especially if you sought out a wholesaler with a 503C document. This way the public gets what they want and the competitors can go back to donating their time rather than fighting a losing battle before the war even starts.

 

[Skip]

It's great that all of this is coming out but as a potential competitor i can only go by what's written on the competition's website. Frankly the website leaves me a little wary, it's not easy to navigate and other than the items i already asked about there are a number of other things on the site that give me pause, not just the conditions, but that they aren't in plain site. Here's a few: (direct from the comp website)

• Riverfront Recapture is the only entity that can legally provide or serve alcohol in the Riverfront Parks. It is illegal to bring in your own alcohol and consume it before, during, or after the event.
• Generators require a permit from the City of Hartford ...
• Generators may not be refueled during event times.
• Potable water will be provided on site, but you should have containers and the ability to transport the containers from the source. $400 entry fee and its a haul water event??
• 40 lb. bags of cube ice can be pre-ordered on your Team Registration for $12/bag. $12 a bag?? Smells of gouging
• Any tent larger than 10’ X 10’ must be permitted through the City of Hartford
• Vehicles will not be permitted in the event site until after the conclusion of the event on Sunday, September 6 - no packing up until after awards regardless of weather

So as a competitor that does people's choice with a generator and a 10x20 EZup I'm now looking at 3 city permits in addition to everything else.

All perfectly legitimate points Mike. Thank you for pointing them out.

1. The alcohol rule is the same everywhere. Although many organizers know to give the "red cup" wink wink nudge nudge know what I mean? So lets see if that is clarified.

2 & 3. A permit for small generators seems ridiculous and would make me as an organizer look for a venue just outside the ridiculous limits of the city. Not filling said unit is another reason for change of venue or a dispensation from the mayor or agency requiring it. This is, as I have said before, atypical and something that seems to be growing pains for a new area and organizer. We all know how ridiculous red tape can be. Lets see if they can snip some with this feedback in hand.

4. Water distribution is another expected essential at a contest. The cost of hosing shouldn't break the bank and again could be donated equipment. Hopefully there is enough time to change this situation.

5. Ice is a requirement and shouldn't be the source of revenue at a contest. This is another item you can get donated under the 503C with a little work. Many of the ice companies will do it for the write off specifically not even worrying about the publicity. I got 700 lbs of ice donated for a contest. That was 20lbs a team which goes a long way. The remaining bags were half price I believe.

6. This is bureaucratic bulldung. Many teams now have larger than 10x10's and would be in violation here. They need to relax this for the event or a venue just outside the city limits should be found. The City is ruining this for the organizer.

7. Many of the contests have this in their packets but its loosely enforced. So question would be could they clarify this. Maybe the placement of the entrance and public areas can be arranged around the teams so that the teams can get vehicles in before awards to assure they get out in a timely fashion.

I think you spelling it out about the three permits and the lack of ability to fill the generator will give the organizer direction. It sounds like the Hartford inspectors are looking for overtime work. When it is shown to the city how burdensome all the stipulations are and how it may hurt the event they may relent. I think the organizer just followed the blueprint given him by the city and we can't blame him for that. Lets see if he is aggressive at getting things changed. He has already shown more than most contests by being here from the beginning with what seems like a willingness to work with the competitor.

Great points by the way. I would like you to vet a contest I run someday.

 

[Roast Beast]

To be fair, the City of Hartford government is a well-known nightmare to deal with. It's not surprising at all that they have all sorts of onerous rules and requirements.

- Former Hartford resident

 

[Slamdunkpro]

I would add that many teams shy away from a People's Choice depending upon the format...when the public comes around from booth to booth to sample, it not only is a time killer for teams to stand around all day but it also becomes popularity contest. The "local" team invites all their friends to come down and vote, where teams from elsewhere have no way to combat that...and even if that local team have NO friends, John Q Publiv votes for the home town favorite. Out of state teams have no chance and they invested a ton of time and money for a contest that is inherently unfair. Now, if the people's choice entries are turned in to a central location and are blind sampled with the contest volunteers helping giving out samples, that's a different ball of wax. Just my two cents

Thanks Tim I think you hit the nail on the head. People like yourself who will have the confidence to join a contest with such a steep entry fee are also seasoned cooks and have been around the block. You've done a number of Peoples Choice competitions and know what they are normally all about. You only participate because its usually a charitable event and the proceeds go to something good. As well the product is normally provided through donations and you know that its a way to get people in the gate and keep a competition running.

The idea of a central blind distribution is wonderful and would make the competition fair but would also remove the aspect of Peoples Choice that helps the event. The Public being able to walk around and interact. If they can go to a central tent than why would they walk around and look? If walking around and looking isn't fun than how do you keep the vendors in the gate. If you don't keep the vendor in the gate why do the people come back the next year to not walk around and interact?

If we don't engage the public they will visit your comp once. 99% are there to try some BBQ. I cringe when I hear some teams say at peoples choice "well this isn't our competition food". Even if its true we shouldn't tell them that. The smell of the smoke the allure of the competition will make anything you give them the best BBQ they've ever had if its decent.

Maybe trying to make Peoples Choice a legit comp is "jumping the shark". Maybe the prize pool should be reconsidered and more donated food should be the alternative. $1000 dollars into meat would go a long way especially if you sought out a wholesaler with a 503C document. This way the public gets what they want and the competitors can go back to donating their time rather than fighting a losing battle before the war even starts.

I have to disagree here - we won every people's choice we entered and about half were far afield where we were anything but homers.

Like it or not onsite people's choice is here to stay and will continue to get bigger. The public wants to interact with and taste the food of the teams like the ones they see on TV. A number of organizers have stated that without PC there wouldn't be a contest next year.

 

[trohrs123]

I have to disagree here - we won every people's choice we entered and about half were far afield where we were anything but homers.

Like it or not onsite people's choice is here to stay and will continue to get bigger. The public wants to interact with and taste the food of the teams like the ones they see on TV. A number of organizers have stated that without PC there wouldn't be a contest next year.

Well, mike, I will disagree. I have been to competitions that the winning people's choice tea, has not even shown up, but their friends did and voted for them anyway. Funny how how a team wins by has not cooked or even set up a tent.

 

[Skip]

I have to disagree here - we won every people's choice we entered and about half were far afield where we were anything but homers.

Like it or not onsite people's choice is here to stay and will continue to get bigger. The public wants to interact with and taste the food of the teams like the ones they see on TV. A number of organizers have stated that without PC there wouldn't be a contest next year.

Oh I have nothing against Peoples Choice. Like I said its the way to get people in the gate and get them to come back the next year. Teams are going to have to realize this is the new face of competing. Gone are the days of ignoring the public.

But I too have seen the woes of Peoples Choice. Of course saying all makes the argument invalid so of course there will be exceptions but the norm is a popularity contest. I hope that the Peoples Choice can come up with a good structure to offer such prize pools.

 

[JimmyDAL]

Several yrs ago The Greenwich Town Party organizer would give each team a $1000.00 stipend for the food for the people's choice. You had to cook pork and chicken on site and serve it to the Public that bought the tickets in advance. It was limited to I believe 8-10 teams and the payout was $7000.00 for both combined meats. The people were happy and the teams were provided the funds to purchase the meat ahead of time. We cooked 54 butts and 70lbs of chicken thighs. Sled cookedi in it, Q-Haven cooked it, Greenwich que cooked as well as Mr Bobo's to name a few. I think it was a smart way of doing it but, the local hero is usually the winner for the most part. One way to improve on that is to set it up to be judged by 6-10 judges for the judged component and people's choice by the tickets. Just my opinion.

 

[Sledneck]

Several yrs ago The Greenwich Town Party organizer would give each team a $1000.00 stipend for the food for the people's choice. You had to cook pork and chicken on site and serve it to the Public that bought the tickets in advance. It was limited to I believe 8-10 teams and the payout was $7000.00 for both combined meats. The people were happy and the teams were provided the funds to purchase the meat ahead of time. We cooked 54 butts and 70lbs of chicken thighs. Sled cookedi in it, Q-Haven cooked it, Greenwich que cooked as well as Mr Bobo's to name a few. I think it was a smart way of doing it but, the local hero is usually the winner for the most part. One way to improve on that is to set it up to be judged by 6-10 judges for the judged component and people's choice by the tickets. Just my opinion.

Easy fix, just lie and tell the crowd you are from hartford. The first year of greenwich thats what the winner did.......

 

[JimmyDAL]

Sled, you and I had fun regardless

 

[JimmyDAL]

Let's not forget the last year it was done the "Surprise Band" was Dave Matthews

 

[CBQ]

People's Choice, no matter the size of the prize pool, is a crapshoot at best. Where you are located, where they sell the tickets, how photogenic the people are that are giving out the food all influence the results. Experienced teams know that the teams that win people's choice are almost never the teams that place high in the KCBS events.

Maybe Mike has a secret for people's choice, but we hardly ever do it. In Atlantic City last year we used pork and brisket for peoples choice. There were 66 teams, our pork was 2nd in ?KCBS, our brisket was 1st. We GCd the contest...and people's choice was won by a local team that invited 80 people to a party,all of whom voted for that team. I don't think they finished in the top 20 for KCBS.

Having an RV with a generator and a 10x20 tent would seem to be permitting us to death for this one.

 

[Bear'sBBQ]

still working the fee issues, the whole area is shutdown today with this crazy snow. but I like the idea of blind voting for peoples choice. will put some thought into it.

 

[Skip]

Easy fix, just lie and tell the crowd you are from hartford. The first year of greenwich thats what the winner did.......

I laugh every time I see this at the top of the page. :grin:

 

[Bear'sBBQ]

Had a good meeting with my non-profit partner in this event, some of the stuff we could help with some it just is that way.

Changes to fees:

Registration will now be a flat $400
One 15 amp electrical service will be provided in that
Insurance requirement will be covered by Riverfront
While the health permit is still a requirement Riverfront will reimburse the permit fee. (This might be able to be a direct pay by Riverfront, still working it).
The issue with large tents is a city thing and I have a meeting set up with them to see if there is any type of work around
Ice, this is truly the cost. However we are looking around for donations so will see. Hell, worse case I will bring a ton from my restaurants lol.

As you can see everything is on the up and up.

 

[Skip]

Had a good meeting with my non-profit partner in this event, some of the stuff we could help with some it just is that way.

Changes to fees:

Registration will now be a flat $400
One 15 amp electrical service will be provided in that
Insurance requirement will be covered by Riverfront
While the health permit is still a requirement Riverfront will reimburse the permit fee. (This might be able to be a direct pay by Riverfront, still working it).
The issue with large tents is a city thing and I have a meeting set up with them to see if there is any type of work around
Ice, this is truly the cost. However we are looking around for donations so will see. Hell, worse case I will bring a ton from my restaurants lol.

As you can see everything is on the up and up.

I made two quick calls for you posing as a 503C rep involved in a fundraiser. Diamond Ice in Southington, CT is willing to work for wholesale cost with a 503C in kind document for retail. I spoke with Carl the owner and he says his monetary donation are all tied up but he is more than willing to wholesale it out at any volume. 860 276 3500.

Burnside Ice, aka Burnside Brewing, in East Hartford is another possibility. I left a call back number to see if they are willing.

Sorry if I stepped on your toes here just trying to help out.

 

[Bear'sBBQ]

no man that is awesome and appreciated. Burnside is their current partner, we are trying to work something out with them.

Thanks again

 

[CBQ]

Had a good meeting with my non-profit partner in this event, some of the stuff we could help with some it just is that way.

Changes to fees:

Registration will now be a flat $400
One 15 amp electrical service will be provided in that
Insurance requirement will be covered by Riverfront
While the health permit is still a requirement Riverfront will reimburse the permit fee. (This might be able to be a direct pay by Riverfront, still working it).
The issue with large tents is a city thing and I have a meeting set up with them to see if there is any type of work around
Ice, this is truly the cost. However we are looking around for donations so will see. Hell, worse case I will bring a ton from my restaurants lol.

As you can see everything is on the up and up.

Be sure to tell the city that the tents are used by cook teams and NOT the general public. Our 10x20 tent has *two* people using it. I don't think we require lighted Exit signs and Emergency Power Failure lighting to find our way out of the tent.