Trickest tailgating vehicle ever, if you’re young, male, and Asian. Two out of three ain’t bad in my case.

Kogi BBQ Scion

Toyota built a show car with a built in grill, refrigerator, and sink for the 2009 car show circuit inspired by their friends at the Kogi BBQ truck. See the story at the LA Times

After all these years of torturing you with pretty photos from my barbecue contests, I sincerely hope you’ve had the chance to go to one in person and eat the great food that my contest peers cook.

If you haven’t been to one, tune in to BBQ Pitmasters, TLC’s brand new series that airs tonight at 10pm across all time zones.  It’ll give an insider’s view of  competition BBQ at some of the biggest contests in America.

My friends Harry Soo and Mark Tung of Slap Yo’ Daddy BBQ, featuring pit bitch Gary Notley star in this series. They’re the only team from west of Texas cast for the show, and will be challenging some of the behemoths of the contest BBQ world. Harry and Mark came out of nowhere two years ago, and have won one grand champion title after another. There’s no journalistic detachment on this one – I’ll be rooting for Slap Yo’ Daddy all the way!

As far as I know, my teammate Neil of BigMista’s BBQ is the second BBQ business to have a music video.

The first “video” came out two weeks prior. It’s a Saturday Night Live spoof that features Fred Armisen, who I know from my childhood. What is it with these friends of mine and their BBQ videos?

Many of you readers have followed along on my BBQ contest adventures over the years I’ve been competing or judging. Maybe you’ve been thinking about testing your own skills at a real contest, and haven’t the first idea what you’re supposed to turn in to the judges.

There’s still a few spaces left for California BBQ University next weekend, November 20-21, 2009  in Anaheim. The class will follow a contest timeline, meaning  prep starts on Friday night and the long hours of cooking will end in  perfectly cooked meat on Saturday afternoon.

This is not an intro to BBQ fundamentals class – it’s geared for the experienced backyarder who wants to learn what it takes to win in the high pressure world of competition cooking. Contests are won or lost in the many details of prepping, seasoning, cooking, and plating. All instructors are in the California BBQ Association’s hall of fame, and these masters will guide you through those many steps and shave years off your contest learning curve.

Cost: $150 for California BBQ Association members, or $186 for non-members (fee includes a membership). Spouses can join for an additional $50. Visit  CBBQA.COM for the details. Space is limited, and did I mention it’s next weekend? Get on it!