True Stories from Real People

Several months ago my son in San Antonio Tx  goaded me into entering the Texas State BBQ Cook-off in College Station Tx. Oct 12 13 and 14th   I live in Taos New Mexico and even though I had won the World Chili Championship for both red and green chili, at age 80 I wasn’t looking forward to a new challenge.  However after watching the Bobby Flay show on TV, I became excited about the SmokePistol and Caja China type of BBQ.  I ordered the box and had it shipped to San Antonio. 

     I arrived in San Antonio 4 days before the cook-off and inasmuch as I never entered a BBQ cook-off before, planned to do a few experiments with the caja before the contest.  My SmokePistol arrived Thursday and I was leaving for College Station Friday.   No test run was possible.  So when I cooked my pork shoulder entry, it was not only the first time I competed but also the first time I had any idea of how to fire up a SmokePistol.

     The competition was formidable with 45 cooks from all over the U.S. including several past Champions.  I developed my own marinade and meat injection (papaya mango apple juice etc.)  I also put together a great rub.  I used the maple Smoke Bullet and when the meat was done, I sprayed it with maple syrup and apple cider.

     All the competitive professionals brought rigs that cost upwards of $20,000.00 on flat bed trailers   They smoked for 18 hours.  My Caja cost $350.00 including the SmokePistol and it took 3 ½  hours to cook.  I won 2nd place, and besides he “braggin rights” I won $3500. and got to spend over an hour with Bobby Flay who visited my booth.  It was a great and rewarding experience  thanks to the very simple concept of Caja China and the Smoke Pistol.