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from the Homeland: Buckshot BBQ - TX representing NV Dessert: B-S BBQ Outlaws - SD representing NM
A hearty congratulations to the Travis & Kimberly Clark family, plus all the other win- ners—and that includes each team that competed, because an invitation to compete at The Jack is one of the greatest honors a team can get in our barbecue community.
Saturday Night Krystal Burger Party
After the Awards Ceremony, teams, contest officials, judges, sponsor delegates and other participants in The Jack left Wiseman Park for various options. Some began their journey home. Others re- turned to their lodging for R&R prior to heading home on Sunday. Informal gather-
Barbecue Hall of Fame member and World Cham- pion Pitmaster Pat Burke was an Invitational Judge at The Jack 31.
ings popped up by design or serendipitously in a variety of places, from Metro Lynchburg to Shelbyville, Tullahoma and elsewhere.
For more than two decades, an informal gathering of barbe- cue faithful has assembled on Saturday night in Tullahoma after the awards ceremony. Locations have changed, but it has always been in public space in a motel along North Jackson Street. This year was no exception. The lobby/breakfast dining area of the Holiday Inn Express was filled with good-natured fel- lowship and snacks galore, plus a variety of beverages, in- cluding, of course, the local product from nearby dry Moore County. After some- body asked, “Where’s the Krystals?!” a collection was taken, amounting to enough money to purchase more than
140 originals & cheeseburgers and fries. By the time DennyMike and I returned with the order that had challenged the talented two-person crew on duty at the nearby Krystal’s, those burgers were a welcome sight. The evening full of stories, laughter and fellow- ship was a great way to unwind, say our goodbyes, hol- iday wishes, and hopes to see one another again next year.
Very few individuals have participated in all 31 events—Chip Chapman, Paul Kirk and Carolyn Wells among them. Many individuals who added their own inimitable spark to the event have passed away—Gary Wells, NBBQN co-founders Doc Gillis & Joe Phelps, Master Distiller Number 6 Jimmy Bedford, Memphis Rendezvous legend Charlie Vergos, Jack Daniel’s Am- bassador Angelo Lucchesi, Mayor of Beale Street Silky Sullivan, Master Welder & Pitmaster Tony Stone, and Wham Master John Willingham, to name a few. Hats off to them all!
Finally, kudos, applause and many thanks to Debbie Christian, Steve May, Chip Chapman, Erin Ford, Marge Plummer, Carolyn Wells, Emily Detwiler, James Reynolds, all other Jack Daniel’s staff, volunteers, teams, judges, and the friendly citizens of Metropoli- tan Lynchburg for making The Jack 31 a significant, memorable and fun event!
BarbecueNews.com - 10
DECEMBER 2019
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!