Page 40 - JAN2020 BBQNEWS Digital Issue

grateful bbq
In The World Of
BBQ, It’s The
People You Meet
Photos Courtesy of Mark Noordsy and National BBQ News
By: Mark & Gretchen Noordsy Certified Judge
KCBS, SCA, EAT
mnbbq@outlook.com
Happy New Year! As 2020 opens, our thoughts turn to res- olutions, goals and grand plans for the year ahead. Some of us are thinking about getting our first call at a contest or maybe being a little nicer to the judges that volunteer their time to our sport. In any case, we all have much to be grateful for.
I want to share a story about “a cup of grateful” that origi- nated with Pastor Wayne Peterson
at St Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota. He was shopping at a local kitchen store and came across the coffee cup with the word “Grateful” on it and it inspired him to share his thoughts on being grateful and joyful giv- ing. It resonated with me on several levels and something that I have frequently witnessed in the BBQ world.
Since becoming involved in BBQ in 2015, I can think of many examples of a “cup of grateful” and it is what keeps me involved in our sport. Whether it was as a rookie judge at my first contest or a rookie SCA cook at my first contest, there was always someone who was welcoming and willing to share their knowledge or experience with me. For that I am grateful.
I often think about all the people I have met that I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for BBQ. The friendships with my fellow judges, cooks, organizers and reps are truly amazing. How about you? Have you ever opened Facebook to see a post
about someone getting a call, someone posting about something exciting happening in their lives or simply a “have a great day” type post? Or how about an announce- ment of a new sauce or rub offering or the opening of a restaurant – showcasing the entrepreneurial and creative spirit that thrives in the BBQ community. I’ll bet a smile comes across your face and your day is just a little bit brighter. What if they weren’t part of your world?
I also think about how genuine people are and how they readily share their experiences with you. It could be a fel- low judge encouraging you to broaden your experience in the sport by going to contests in Oklahoma, Canada or Texas. It isn’t just the contest ... it’s the road trip, the time you spend enjoying the comradery and all the additional experiences you would have missed had you just stayed home. And of course, it includes all the laughter along the way too!
I don’t think I would have ever tried judging at World Food or even had known about Culinary Fight Club if it wasn’t for my BBQ friends. Not to mention experiencing all that
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JANUARY 2020