December 30, 2008 Hello BBQ Gang! Happy Holidays folks, here's what's going on, and the last update for this year, in the world of the Illinois BBQ Society... ~ New BBQ Publication for 2009... ~ Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock... ~ Near Hibernation but still planning... ~ Illinois Barbeque News, Updates, eNewsletter & Team Info ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS Contests... ~ Upcoming Classes... For additional information on these stories, and more, be sure to visit the Illinois BBQ Society online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x This eNewsletter brought to you by: The Backyard Barbeque Store ~ Wilmette, Illinois At The Backyard Barbecue Store, our passion is bringing you the very best in barbecue grills and accessories, gas logs and fireplace accessories, patio furniture and products for all of your entertaining needs. If you are interested in an "Outdoor Kitchen" you need look no further. We can help you find the right equipment to fit your needs and can assist you in finding a contractor to build it. We like to think that we can help you find the grill that is right for you, the furniture for you to sit on while you are grilling and even the wine to pair with your meal. And if you need some pointers on using that grill, sign up for one of our grill classes and treat yourself to a wonderful evening full of good food, wine and recipes. Online: http://www.backyardbbqstore.com x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x New BBQ Publication for 2009... Following is a note I received from Terry Welch, Publisher of BBQ WORLD MAGAZINE. This up-and-coming magazine is promising a very inclusive look into the culture we all hold near and dear...BBQ! Though I haven't seen a copy of the magazine yet, I am hopeful that the info published will be insightful, informative, and fun. "Hi, my name is Terry Welch, founder/publisher of BBQ WORLD MAGAZINE! We are very excited about our upcoming premiere issue of BBQ WORLD MAGAZINE being released Jan. 2009 for the May 2009 issue. Hope you follow us on our journey through the world OF BBQ AND follow our new magazine being released soon. We will have coverage on NASCAR events, Tailgating, Football, Cooking Schools and Shows, and much more like Recipes, Restaurant Hotspots, Grill of the month, Spotlight on Pro, and Backyard Grillers, Cook-offs/Competitions, Gadgets, Q & A, Submitted Photos by readers, BBQ MARKETPLACE, Calendar of events and many regional and national events we will cover in our magazine. If you would like to order BBQ WORLD MAGAZINE you may subscribe today and it's only $29.99 for one year, and $49.99 for two years. Makes a great gift for the BBQ ENTHUSIAST in your life! To order toll free call: 1-877-822-7624. We gladly accept all major credit cards and we do accept personal checks payable to BBQ WORLD MAGAZINE. Thanks for your interest and looking forward to chatting to each and every one of you soon! Terry Welch, Publisher BBQ WORLD MAGAZINE Online: http://www.bbqworldmag.com Toll Free: 1-877-822-7624 email: t.welch@bbqworldmag.com or bbqworldmag@yahoo.com Find us on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/bbqworldmag or Twitter with us at http://www.twitter.com/bbqworldmag " *************************************** Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock... Only 121 Days until the Official Start of the 2009 Sanctioned Competition BBQ Season in Illinois! And we're MUCH closer to the kick-off of the non-sanctioned cooking season (February 15th) with the 4th Annual Des Plaines, Illinois Winter Burn-Off! The Winter Burn-Off has been a fun little contest in the Greater Chicagoland area that has brought together good food, good people, and good times. A good time to get your competition juices flowing while getting together with a bunch of new and old friends alike. For additional information, contact Keith & Rebecca Engstrom. Contact information can be found on the 'Contest/Events' page of the ILBBQS.com site. The 'sanctioned' season gets underway in May with the 2nd Annual Southwestern Illinois Springfestival in Wamac, Illinois. Building on an extremely successful inaugural season in 2008, this contest features, live music, stiff competition, and one of the competition cook's first opportunities to qualify for The Jack Draw and The Royal Invitational. Be sure to check out the Contest/Events page for specifics, or visit their website at http://www.gocentralia.com/springfestival . *************************************** Near Hibernation but still planning... The end of the BBQ Season in Illinois pretty much marked the beginning of what most is seeing as winter hibernation. Though we haven't updated the site too much, it should be noted that there have been some changes to the Contest/Events page, the BBQ Classes page, and BBQ Links page. We would also like to introduce you to one of our newest business members... Smokin' Jo Pellets ~ Mojopellets is headed up by Fred Grosse of Chicago. He has unique products not found anywhere else; as well as other favorites like grape and hickory wood. Their plan is to carry only the most unique of products for smokers and wood pellet grills. Coffee pellets are unique enough! They invite you to try them and let them know what you think! Mojopellets came about after Fred realized he could recycle coffee grounds and turn them into pellets. Their Coffee pellets are available to members of the the ILBBQS by calling Fred direct at 773-398-1992...be sure to let him know you heard about him through ILBBQS and he'll give you a 50% Discount Off Your First Order! You can find out more about the products at www.MojoPellets.com . *************************************** Illinois Barbeque News, Updates, eNewsletter & Team Info Membership in the Illinois BBQ Society is at an all time high...that's the good news. The OTHER news (we don't like the words 'bad news') is that with barbeque interest on the rise, it has been very difficult for just one person to stay on top of everything going on in the 'que world. WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you know of anything barbeque related going on in the state, know of anything newsworthy regarding any of our members, or have a little story, recipe, or idea you would like to share with your fellow cooks, judges, and enthusiasts, please email them to us. We are starved for info to place on this page and in our eNewsletter. Thanks for your continued help in pushing the barbeque movement forward! Onward & Upward! *************************************** Upcoming 2009 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ February 15th - 2009 Winter Burn-Off - Contact: Keith Engstrom, 915 Second Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016 - Phone: (847) 312-4053 - E-mail: rekengstr@ameritech.net ~ June 12 & 13 - 5th Annual Smokin' in the Park - Contact: Hap & Becky Zook at 309-397-1815 - E-mail: bjzook@verizon.net ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2009 KCBS Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ May 1 & 2 - Southwestern Illinois Spring Festival - Contact: Shane Swartzlander - Phone: (618) 533-5703 - E-mail: 2chubby@sbcglobal.net ~ May 15 & 16 - The Randolph County Pig Party - Contact: Jason Vallett, 402 E. Broadway, Steeleville, IL 62288 - Phone: 618-965-3414 ~ Fax: 618-965-3177 - Email: jason@gregvallettautosales.com ~ May 22 & 23 - The Bonifest Rib Cook-Off - Contact: Ryan Hentz, 110 N. Buchanan, Edwardsville, IL 62025 - Phone: 618-656-6450. Fax: 618-656-7669 - Email: bonifestbbq@yahoo.com ~ May 23 & 24 - Red, White & Bar-B-Q - Contact: Jim Addington, 337 E. Traube Street, Westmont, IL 60559 - Phone: 630-443-2013 Fax: 630.443-2017 - E-mail: jaddington@ambankqc.com ~ May 29 & 30 - Anything Goes Fair, Barbecue and Blues - Contact: Paul Mizeur, 108 W Market / PO Box 350, Taylorville, IL 62568 - Phone: 217-287-1876 Fax: 217-287-1876 - Email: paul.mizeur@usbank.com ~ June 5 & 6 - Flat Branch Bar-B-Q in the Park - Contact: Al Long, 2602 East 1800 North Road, Moweaqua, IL 62550 - Phone: 217-768-4663 - E-mail: BABBQ@shelbywb.coop ~ June 12 & 13 - 5th Annual Smokin' in the Park - Contact: Hap & Becky Zook at 309-397-1815 - E-mail: bjzook@verizon.net ~ June 19 & 20 - Elk Grove Rotary Ribfest - Contact: Ron Nunes, 701 E. Irving Park Rd, Ste. 200, Roselle, IL 60172 - Phone: 630-307-8744 ~ Fax: 630-307-8755 - E-mail: rnunes9457@aol.com ~ July 10 & 11 - Illinois State Championship & Butt to Butt Pork Invitational - Contact: Connie Smith, 301 E. Sunrise Drive, Shannon, IL 61078 - Phone: 816-864-2542 ~ Fax: 815-864-2825 - E-mail: rrribs@frontiernet.net ~ September 24 to 26 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: catering17@egyptian.com ~ October 9 & 10 - Super City Blues & Ques - Contact: Priscilla Abell, 106 W. 5th Street, Metropolis, IL 62960 - Phone: 618-524-1696 Fax: 618-524-2582 - Email: metropolisparks@verizon.net ~ October 16 & 17 - Barn Burner BarBQ at Lamb's Farm - Contact: Claudia Stevens, 14245 W. Rockland Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Phone: 847-990-3750 ~ Fax: 847-362-0742 - E-mail: crs@lambsfarm.org ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming Certified BBQ Judge's and Certified Table Captain's Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Shannon, Illinois ~ 2/14/09 ~ Instructors: Mike & Theresa Lake ~ Contact Information: Theresa Lake ~ Phone: 815-864-2679 ~ Email: rrribs@frontiernet.net *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ None Scheduled (That we know of...if you know of an upcoming class, let us know!) *************************************** These stories, and more, can be found online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . Most of the stories online have active links for ease of finding more information...be sure to visit the website for your full ILBBQS experience! If you have a BBQ related news item you would like to share with the group, be sure to send it in! There is an easy-to-use 'Submit News' button on our website at http://www.ILBBQS.com ...use it often! As always, if you have any pictures, stories, news items, comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, let me know! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino