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every Thursday night from Mike. If he was not cooking, he was calling me with good luck wishes for safe travels, maybe a call or 4 at the upcoming contest. If Mike had already arrived before me at the competition, he would call giving me directions and would be waiting to back me into my spot with an extra Budweiser select waiting for me. This guy loved to compete, and he loved seeing his friends but helping new teams was his real passion. He once told me if you help some new team get a call, they would keep coming back and that action would grow our sport!
Mike was having some serious health problems and I invited him to cook with me. I enjoyed hanging out with my good friend and we won a Grand Championship together while doing so. He gave me tips on brisket and chicken that I still use today. Bless you, Mike Byrd. The BBQ world and I miss you.
We were cooking a little contest in Alabama and Dennis Schmidt was one of the reps. Forrest Dilmore was cooking there also. For- rest and I were in a close race for team of the year. Dennis had borrowed a knife earlier in the day from Forrest to cut some wa- termelons they were serving in the judging area. Brisket had just been turned in and I bought Forrest and myself a big ole straw- berry lemonade from the stand next to me and was taking it over to him. As we were standing there comparing thoughts about our cook, we saw Dennis; walking out of the judging area with a turn in box and headed straight for Forrest. It looked like a certain DQ and Forrest turned very pale. Dennis said, "Forrest, I need to see you." He opened the box and gave Forrest a big helping of water- melon and handed him his knife back. It is still one of the funni- est things I ever have seen at a BBQ contest. Dennis Schmidt and Forrest Dilmore, I love you guys. You guys made BBQing fun. Get em, Foster!
that was part of the National Barbecue Festival that was or- ganized by the National Barbecue News crew
I had the pleasure of meeting Donna and Chuck Ray and loved getting to know these folks. Eating catfish may have been Chuck's real passion. We were having dinner together at a contest while laughing and having a good time. I told Chuck, "I am going to tell
everyone I see that you were smiling all night." He said, "Go ahead because no one would believe me!" Chuck put his heart and soul into our BBQ world and if you did not get to know him, you missed knowing a true friend. It was always fun seeing Donna, and I will always smile thinking about this sweet lady and her smile. Knowing she made a million jello shots and always had a stash with her that she was willing to share. Donna, I miss you (and not just your jello shots)!
About 11 years ago, a gentleman came to us at the FBA about doing a BBQ contest. Somehow I gave him some good advice, and 2020 will be the 11th year of the Suncoast BBQ Bash. We just went and taught a BBQ class to a great group of folks there in the Venice area. Mr. Don Fisher was in the hospital recovering from some back surgery and could not be there. I think Don would have been proud and would have laughed at my Don Fisher stories. All organizers should look at Don's program on how to do a project like the BBQ bash work. It is hard work, but he has a passion for supporting all these special kids and programs. Everyone needs to come to the Thursday night cooking with the kids' program that I am lucky enough to be a part of. Honestly, my favorite event in all of BBQ!
Don recover fast and hope to see you soon!
Thanks to everyone for reading my stuff for the last 14 years. There is more to come! Keep the pit lit and see yall soon!
Cadin Hillis getting a call at the 2010 Best of the Best event
NOVEMBER 2019
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