I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve been a media whore the past couple of months. In June, there was the appearance on KCRW’s Good Food radio show coverage of the Que’n For Kids BBQ contest, which you can podcast. Also from this event was Eddie Lin’s video of  me making a bacon explosion.

Then my pal Neil of Bigmista’s BBQ gets the front page of the LA Times Food section, and a quote of mine gets used in it. Through this article and the sidebar story on Neil’s favorite websites (ahem, one of them is mine), someone from San friggin Diego found out about my Smoking 101 class and enrolled. Talk about media reach!

Last week, my photo ran in the TV Guide because I auditioned in February for the new Gordon Ramsay show that premiered this past Tuesday. Although I didn’t make the final selection, the producers chose my photo for their media promo package.  The premise of this game show is 50 amateur cooks compete for the silly title of MasterChef and a $250,000 prize. No, I didn’t wanna be on your stupid Fox network show anyway! Thanks for nothing, Ramsay.

Cooking at the Los Angeles cattle call for MasterChef

Moving forward now, here’s the biggest secret – I’ll be on Season 2 of BBQ Pitmasters, backing up Bigmista along with our teammate Sylvie. We’re competing against three formidable opponents: Johnny Trigg, DivaQ, and Big Poppa Smokers.  The show let the cat out of the bag this week by releasing the preview video, so I guess it’s safe to say my team is featured without breaking the nondisclosure agreement. Tivo TLC on August 12, and you’ll see how we did.

The competition BBQ season starts early here in the Southwest.  Lake Havasu City is the site of an Arizona state championship contest, on February 26 & 27, 2010.  The organizers are holding a KCBS judging class on the day prior for those who’d like to learn the finer points of eating and scoring the competitors’ hard work.

Some of you have been watching the BBQ Pitmasters show on TLC, and are dying to cook on the contest circuit.  If you want to score well, it helps to know what target to hit, so I’d highly recommend taking this class. There aren’t that many judging classes held in this region, so take it while it’s reasonably close. I got certified several years ago, and judged a few contests in 2009. Being on the other side of the judge’s tent has helped understand what my competition’s food looks and tastes like.

You’ll be taught the rules, how to score, and the pitfalls to watch for when scoring meat. You’ll also eat a whole lot of barbecue, both good and bad. Now you’ll have a framework to describe what good or bad means. Space is limited, so sign up today!

KCBS Certified Judges Class
KCBS Members $35. / Non-Members $80.
Presented by HAVA BBQ
February 25, 2010
Check-In 5:30 PM / Class Starts 6 PM

Place:
BBQ Bill’s Big Easy Bistro
3557 Maricopa Avenue
Lake Havasu City, AZ. 86406

KCBS Rep’s: Merl Whitebook & Gene Goycochea

Applications @ http://www.havabbq.com