KC to SA

South Africa has gone hog wild crazy for burgers and Kansas City smokehouse barbeque. There are burger joints popping up all over town and today we went to Reitvlei Zoo Farm for the second annual Up in Smoke Official BBQ Challenge to watch them crown SA's new Pitmaster.

The competition was being judged under official Kansas City rules, although none of the three South African judges who were there have been certified yet. That will happen in January when the Kansas City Judges' delegation comes to South Africa to administer the certification workshop.

Regardless, these guys were serious about BBQ.

There were the usual cast of characters - BraaiBoy ...

Black Sam Smoque ...

... and Capital Smoke.













And some new contenders who like to mix a little Texas hold 'em with their Kansas City BBQ.

And speaking of Texas Hold 'em, Wire-haired Lou and Long-haired Serge came with us to Rietvlei where they met up with a Smooth-haired doxie there making for a "full house of dachshund."

There was every manner of smokehouse on deck for the competition. Most of them were home-fabricated.

This one was fabricated from an old geyser (hot water tank for any Americans reading this.)

This one was made from a vertical 55 gallon drum.

This one made from a horizontal 55 gallon drum and used gas to fire its wood chips.

There were three judgings as part of the competition. The first was for the best BBQ chicken. The second was for best BBQ pork - either pork belly or ribs, smokers' choice.

The third judging was completely open choice. Black Sam was smoking beef brisket. BraaiBoy was smoking salmon. And these guys were smoking a "fatty" made of  wildebeest mince inside a springbok loin wrapped in a basket-weave of bacon! Lordie!

Spectators were able to sample some of the leftovers.

Even the littlest spectators. (Only the promise of meat garners this kind of rapt attention!)

I asked Vince if he wanted to take the workshop in January to become a certified KC Smokehouse BBQ judge for next year's competition. He said, "Judge? Next year I am going to enter!"

Lou and Serge are completely behind this. They thought this was one of the best outings ever!  Like Black Sam, they are serious about meat.

The winners?

First place was Team Smork.
Runners up, Smoking Pokers.
Third place wasTeam TJ Billie's.