Ten Weeks Out

With about ten weeks until the event, it's time to start gathering names of folks who like to work at the event. Their are great benefits!!!! BBQ, t-shirt, BBQ, invitation to the Friday night dinner, BBQ, great family fun...did I mention BBQ?

If you are interested in volunteering, please email Tim Higgins at higgins1@numail.org

We are also looking for an individual to coordinate the Friday night Sponsors Dinner. If you are interested please email Tim. There are great benefits, other than the ones mentioned above, there may be some catfish and BBQ.

Questions??

The Judges Class is August 11th and Event October 6th, any questions on setup?

Barnesville Blues and BBQ

For those of you who went to the Barnesville events a couple weeks ago. What a great time. The Friday night time was wonderful. Good music, good weather, et. al.

The Brown Ridge Boys, Larry, Rob and I, came in 12th overall. Larry did a damn good job for his first contest. Rob and I made sure the beverages were cold.

Judges School

Anyone interested in a judges school in Newnan. I believe we would like to put one on before the cookoff. The date is August 11th, at 5:30. Let me know what kind of interest there is out there.

This will be a great opportunity to learn about FBA expectations and a opportunity to have damn good bbq.

Five Months Out

The BBQ Cook-off is 5 months out. I know they say that it is low and slow cooking, but is it too early to put the brisket on???

We've got some great new partners this year, but we are still looking for volunteers. If anyone is interested it getting involved, please call me, 770-301-0292.

Great Thoughts, and keep them coming

I wanted to take a moment and respond to Jim Brigg's comments. You are right with many of your points. Here is how we hope to address it this year:

1. To be a sanctioned event, we are required to have power and water for each cook site (15 amp). We will have that this year. Now granted, some sites will require up to 100 ft of extension cord or hose, but most will be within 50 feet of hook ups.

2. There is no car show scheduled for this year.

3. We are planning to allow teams to sell BBQ at the event. The teams that choose to sell will be required to fill with the health department and be subject to inspection. We are also planning on filing with the Health Department as a nonprofit event. I believe there is a $50 charge for filing with the State. We will not charge a fee to teams who wish to sell, but we are asking teams to split there gross sales with the charity, 80%/20% in lieu of a fee.

4. Alcohol is a touchy subject. Currently, the County does not allow alcohol consumption at county facilities. This would require an ordinance change at the county level, and the only way that will happen is if concerned folks like you call your commissioner and complain. Because of my position with the Cook-off, I don't feel comfortable pushing this issue, but I can get you phone numbers if you'd like to lead the charge.

I appreciate all your comments, and look forward to many more. Larry, Rob and myself want this to be the best ever. We want this to be the best cook-off in the state, period.

3rd Annual Event Scheduled

The 3rd Annual Coweta Up in Smoke BBQ Cook-off is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 5 -6, 2007. With cooler temps the 3rd annual will be bigger and better than ever. For those who want to reserve a spot, we should have new information available in the coming weeks.

Results

The results are in for the BBQ. Go to the Results page to see how you placed.

Tell me what you think

Larry, Rob and I are always trying to find ways to improve the event for next year. I'm asking for your help. I've got three questions to ask you:

What did you think of this year's event?

What else would you add to make the event better?

What did you think needs to be changed?

All comments are appreciated, both good and bad. Anonymous comments can be left, if you'd like.

Thanks for your help, and we hope to see you next year!!!!

Tim

Weather and Good BBQ

I hear we're going to get an improvement in the weather. They are saying highs of 88 on Friday and highs of 84 on Saturday. I may have to breakout my sweater for Saturday.

I look forward to seeing you all out there this weekend.

Tim

Two weeks and Counting

This year's event is shaping up to be bigger and better than last years. We have a bunch of good cooking teams, great vendors, and new and entertaining events. I'm very excited about the addition of the Car Guys and their Up in Smoke Car Show on Friday night.

If you haven't sent in your application to be a vendor or cooking team, now is the time. We've got 14 days and you don't won't to miss you opportunity to be in this year's cookoff.

BBQ Announcement

We've expanded the area of competition. Any team in the state of Geogia can compete this year. There were 28 teams from Coweta County last year. How many can be get from across Georgia?

With the expanded area, we expect more teams. If 40 teams enter, the prize money will be as follows: 1st $150, 2nd $100, and 3rd $75 per category. The grand prize will be $500 and reserve champion will be $250. With 50 teams, the prize money gets even higher.

Upcoming events

On April 20th, the city of Newnan is having their bi-annual Taste of Newnan. Should we setup out there for publicity (and share wonderful barbecue)?

BBQ Cookoff Video

Check out the new promotional video for the Coweta Up in Smoke Barbecue Cookoff.

For

high speed connections

Dial up

Also, here's some pictures from last year's event

Up in Smoke 2005 Pictures

We at CUIS want to wish all of you a Happy New year. As you may know we are in the process of planning this year's competition which will be conducted on 21-22 July at the Coweta County Fairgrounds. We are in the process of planning our BBQ cook-off and other activities to support it. Some of the things we are considering but are not limited to are, having some cook-offs on Friday afternoon/night (i.e. Restaurant Rib Cook-off, Anything Butt this is were we will have the Brunswick stew, BBQ sauce, BBQ chicken contest and etc) with the main BBQ competition (Ribs, Butt, Brisket ) on Saturday. I know, or I hope that you are asking yourself how can I help. Thanks for asking. We would really like to hear your ideas on what you would like to see at your BBQ cook-off. We will try and take some of your ideas and incorporate them into ours to make this an event that you look forward to coming back to each year. Thanks in advance for your help and we are truly looking forward to seeing you in July at the best BBQ cook-off in Georgia. Larry Griggs C.U.I.S.

Up Coming Meeting

On Tuesday, January 24th, we will have our first bbq planning meeting of 2006. The meeting will be at 6 pm at the Covention and Visitors Bureau. I can't wait to get the ball rolling on this year's event. I think it'll be great.

New Year and New Ideas

It's a new year and it's time to make your New Year's Resolutions (BBQ Style).

1. Make CUIS the best Damn Barbecue Cookoff in Georgia (Larry Griggs)
2. World peace through Barbecue (Rob Cole)
3. Have three major sponsors of the July 21 and 22nd event, eg Kingsford Charcoil
4. Have a bbq teaser, 4th of July weekend on the Court Square
5. Raise $15,000 for the charity

What are some of your resolutions. (Lose weight is only acceptable, if you do it so that you can over-indulge on the heavenly food -pig (I realize that scholars of the old testament would find real issue with that statement))

Event Grows

It seems, that the Coweta Up in Smoke Barbecue Cookoff has become the culmination of a week of activities benefiting the newly reborn Coweta County Community Chest and Civic Council.

We're Back

The Coweta BBQ BLOG has returned. After weeks of working with a site that was going away, we've found a new home.