The Philadelphia Ham Jam Arts Festival

The Philadelphia Ham Jam Arts Festival and the Memphis Barbecue Network announce the 2008 edition of the Ham Jam BBQ Contest. Held the weekend of April 18 & 19 in Philadelphia MS, this will be the 6th year for the Philadelphia contest & festival. This event is being organized by the Philadelphia Mainstreet & Tourism folks.

Contest Organizer: Madonna Green May
12931 Road 624Philadelphia, MS 39350
Phone : 601-527-7786
email greenmj@bellsouth.net

Judging Contact: Madonna Green May
12931 Road 624Philadelphia, MS 39350
Phone : 601-527-7786
email greenmj@bellsouth.net

We Won! The 2nd annual Battle of the Bones

I would like to start this article with a huge thanks to Jason at the U of M and to the Highland Hundred Club for their support and participation in the BBQ contest this year! We would also like to thank all of the volunteers including the judges who devoted time, effort and I am sure a few dollars to make the whole thing possible.

To view more pictures, go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/MemphisREMAX/BattleOfTheBonesBBQContest2007

We as a team had planned on tail gating at the UAB game tis year from the pre-season. We planned on taking the rig out to Toby Field and having a grand time before and during the game. Then the announcement that there was going to be a Rib BBQ contest with the Memphis In May type judging (blind only). Wow! what a wonderful coincidence and opportunity for Optimus Swine to have fun AND practice cooking our ribs.

Our last batch of ribs (before the Battle of the Bones) came out scorched, crispy and as moist as an over cooked piece of beef jerky. (we were learning our new smoker). We were determined to make an improvement (had no where to go but up).

Our original goals were very humble; simply to turn out a better product than last time and to have a great time doing it. We did just that with the help and support of our team members. We were very overwhelmed and surprised to find out that we had made the finals and ecstatic to receive 1st place. We won a guaranteed entry in to Memphis In May 2008, $750 and a trophy to show off from time to time.

We had a great time and will definitely be in Birmingham next year to defend our title and represent the University of Memphis and the Tigers football team. GO TIGERS !

Results for Hatchie Hollow Hog Fest

Hatchie Hollow Hog Fest, Bolivar TN October 20th, 2007

HOG


1st: Serial Grillers
2nd: Yazoo Delta Q
3rd: Huish Grill Team
4th: The Good, The Bad, and the Swine

SHOULDER

1st Serial Grillers
2nd Ghost River Smokaholics
3rd Optimus Swine
4th The Good, The Bad, and the Swine

RIB

1st Parrothead Porkers
2nd Pigs R Us
3rd Yazoo Delta Q
4th The Good, The Bad, and the Swine

Grandchampion = Serials Grillers (Shoulder)


Serial Grillers
Yazoo Delta Q
Huish Grill Team
The Good The Bad and The Swine
Ghost River Smokaholics
Optimus Swine
Parrothead Porkers
Pigs R Us
Smoking Pigs Barbecue Co.
Harley Hogg Smokers

Final Judges

Angela Denton
Frank Guarino
Kyle Dixon
Lanny Prichard

UAB vs. Memphis Tigers Football

As most of you know, we have been excited about the UAB football game in November against Memphis here at home. Partly because of the rivalry and atmosphere, but also because we were planning to tail gate with the Smoking Rig starting the day before and inviting th BBQ Team to participate.

The two schools have been passing a trophy back and forth depending on who has won the game for a few years now. The trophy is a rack of ribs because of the history rib cooking has in both Birmingham and Memphis (Memphis is better of course).Well, it just got better, believe it or not. For the first time, they are going to have a rib only BBQ cooking contest with both schools invited to participate, professional and amateur teams alike.

There will be awards, trophies, and an entry in to Memphis In May BBQ contest awarded. The only other category is BBQ sauce. What a perfect cap to an already wonderfully planned weekend! Mark it on your calenders, and plan to be there.

Here is the link to read all about it.

http://gotigersgo.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100307aaa.html

Supplies for Bolivar

Anything you are going to loan the team for the Bolivar cookout, such as 7-day coolers, etc - if you could get it to Todd's home or to Ed or Palmer this week it would greatly help out the team.

We need to get together at Todd's house Tuesday or earlier before the competition to load up the cooler on to the trailer. We are tentatively looking at that Tuesday around 7:00, or would 6 be better? Let us know....

Upcoming Competitions

Here is a short list of up coming competitions that may suit our needs for a first affair.

09/14 - Oakland, TN
10/19 - Bolivar, TN
11/03 - Arlington, TN

If any of these are any better for you than another, feel free to let us know. Doing the Arlington one would give us more time to get are process & recipes together, but doing one earlier would get our feet wet sooner. We have requested information from these events and will post the costs and fees associated with each one. Basically, it takes around $500 to enter everything, get a port-a-John, electrical permit, etc, etc.

If you have a suggestion for coming up with additional funds so we could do maybe two before winter sets in, we're all ears.

Upcoming Event to choose from

We would like to do several of these before the winter sets in. Any ideas? suggestions? Lets hear them, and lets get our money in as soon as possible so we can start practicing!

09/07 - 09/09
Roast N' Boast Barbecue Festival
Columbus, MS
09/14 - 09/15
Smokin' Oakland BBQ festival
Oakland, TN
09/27 - 09/29
Oxford Town BBQ Throwdown
Oxford, Ms
10/11 - 10/13
Covington Jaycees World's Oldest Barbecue Cooking Contest
Covington, TN
10/18 - 10/20
Pigs in the Park
Lucedale, MS
10/19 - 10/20
Hatchie Hollow Hog Fest
Bolivar, TN
10/26 - 10/27
Jazz in Jonesboro
Jonesboro, AR
11/03 - Arlington TN
11/09 - 11/10
Iuka Smokin BBQ Challenge
Iuka, MS