Swamp Boys Q School Will Take Your BBQ to the Next Level

Swamp Boys BBQ Cooking Class

When it comes to a competitive BBQ cooking class, you cannot do any better than to take the one offered by Mr. Rob “Rub” Bagby, Polk County, Florida native and pitmaster for the Swamp Boys BBQ Competitive Cook Team.  Now, it’s worth saying that I consider Rub a personal friend of mine.  Hell, talk with him for a few minutes and  you’ll consider him a personal friend of yours, too! He’s just that much of a down home, no nonsense, what you see is what you get kind of dude.

Want to attend the Swamp Boys Q Shool?

Email Rub Bagby or Call him at 863-206-9363 and sign up today!

www.swampboys.com

All that said, this is a top notch BBQ cooking class, and I don’t promote things on the BBQ Smoker Site that I do not believe in or feel are of some value to my readers.  You folks deserve nothing less than that, and I believe that is why you keep coming back here to read what I’ve got to say.

So, when it comes to learning the ins and outs of how to cook a professional level Florida Bar-B-Que or Kansas City Barbeque Society BBQ cook off event, Rub is like the Yoda of BBQ.   And  yes, his BBQ cooking class just might turn you into a competition BBQ Jedi.

You won’t find a single person who has ever met Rub who won’t say he’s a top quality hombre, and his track record as a BBQ pro cannot be rivaled, save by a very few among the nation’s best BBQ cooks.  You show me anyone says any different, and well sir… I’ll show you a damned liar!

 

 

Next Class Offering:

July 15-16, 20011
Live Oak, FL

Cost: $500, Spouse $300

Click here for an application for this Summer Q School Class

 

I took some time to chat with Rub about his BBQ cooking class and what folks who take his class can expect to learn while they’re there.

Here’s what Rub had to say…

Can you give some background on your own history cooking professional level BBQ comps?

I began competing with a team back in 1993 and I was the dishwasher. I began competing on my own in 1994, and I’m still the dishwasher!

Were there folks giving BBQ comp classes when you got started?  Did you take any classes early on?

Yes, there were a couple of classes being offered. I took one from Kevin Bevington of HomeBBQ.com who at the time had won the FBA Team of the Year multiple times.

We know you have an awesome BBQ pedigree and that you put your money where your mouth is when it comes to competition BBQ. What are some of the key reasons why folks should consider taking your Q class?

I teach a techniques class, and the skills you learn can be used at any experience level. From the backyard to the Jack Daniel’s World Championships, these great techniques have been proven to work everywhere. They are not specific to one kind of BBQ pit or one flavor profile.

Who, specifically is your Q Class meant for?  Can folks who have never cooked any sort of competition event benefit from the course, or should they have maybe one or two backyard events under their belt before taking it?

This class benefits everyone. How much you take away from it depends on your skill level coming in. Obviously the beginners will be able to soak up the most as they have the most to learn. I’ve had many top 10 teams take the class and go on and win their first category, Reserve Grand, or Grand Champion. There is something for everyone to learn.

 

Want to attend the Swamp Boys Q Shool?

Email Rub Bagby or Call him at 863-206-9363 and sign up today!

www.swampboys.com

 

What should folks bring with them to your class?  Can they show up with as little or as much gear as they want?  What’s the recommended set up gear wise?

The majority show up with a pencil, a note book, a camp chair, and their personal things. Some people are more hands-on and prefer to bring their smoker with them and set up as if it were a contest. It’s totally up to the individual. If they bring their RV or set up with them, I pay for the camp site Friday night. Otherwise there are a couple of cabins on property for rent, and all of the major motel chains within 5 miles.

Can you provide a general timeline of how your class runs, sort of a segment by segment overview?

I usually plan on beginning 1:00pm Friday. We start with introductions, and then run it basically on a contest time line. We discuss brisket/beef grades, marbling, selection, aging, etc, and go over trimming techniques. After trimming we discuss injections and rubs, and then the cooking schedule. We repeat the same for pork, ribs and finally chicken.

 

About this time we’re all ready to eat supper. All of the students are invited (not required, many fly in and are unable) to bring their favorite side dish or dessert to share, and I smoke prime rib and roast potatoes for everyone.

We have a feast and enjoy some social time around the fire pit and the old oak trees. The structured part of the day is over at this point and everyone is free to stay and hang out or retire to their rooms.  I hit the sack around 11:00pm or so and we all meet up again Saturday morning around 7:30am.

There is a casual group breakfast and then we get right back into the swing of things with chicken and ribs. The remainder of the time is spent on cooking techniques, timing, building a KCBS turn-in box with garnish, and building an FBA turn-in box without garnish.

 

We plan on chicken turn in at 11:00am, pork at 12:00 noon, ribs at 1:00pm, and brisket at 2:00. The pork and rib times are not typical, but I do this so we don’t have to start back so early in the morning.

Students get to sample all of the BBQ we’ve cooked. After the last “turn in” it’s time to wrap up any remaining questions. I stick around until every question has been answered, and we’re usually done by 2:15 – 2:30.

Talk a bit if you will about Live Oak and why you have chosen it for your class location.  What’s the exact location and what do you like most about it?

Live Oak is situated right near the intersection of I-75 and I-10 up in north FL. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground is our host location and it is nestled on the beautiful Suwannee River.

 

 

It is a fantastic location and reminds me of “old” Florida, back before it became so “touristy.” Between the old oak canopies and the beautiful river, it is a very nice place to get away to.

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground

Phone: 386-364-1683
Fax: 386-364-2998
Email: spirit@musicliveshere.com

Address:
3076 95th Drive
Live Oak, Florida 32060

Check out the Spirit of the Suwannee Google Places Page

 

What sleeping accommodations are available for class attendees?

If folks want to stay onsite in their RV, trailer, or tent I pay for the site. There are full hookups and a dump station on property. I set up these reservations; just let me know your intentions.

The park also has a few cabins they rent out and the information is on their web site. If a motel is more to your liking, there are most of the major chains within about 5 miles of the campground. Just Google “motels near 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak, Florida” to see what’s available.

What’s the fee for the class?  Obviously, there will be a lot of cooking going on, but are meals included in the course fee?

The fee is $500 per person. If a husband and wife want to make a weekend of it the total fee is $800, a $200 savings. We have a pot luck supper Friday, and I supply the meat and potatoes. I provide a light breakfast and BBQ samples for lunch Saturday. If that doesn’t suit you there is a restaurant on property. I also have a large drink cooler with lemonade for everyone both days, and it’s BYOB for adult beverages.

 

Want to attend the Swamp Boys Q Shool?

Email Rub Bagby or Call him at 863-206-9363 and sign up today!

www.swampboys.com

 

Can you provide a list of teams who have taken your class and gone on to win Categories, Reserve Grands, or Grand Championships?

Whiskey Bent BBQ took my class and the following weekend won their first GC at Pig on the Pond in Clermont FL. They have won a total of 3 GCs and 2 RGCs since the class.

Unknown BBQ took the class having never won a category or GC/RGC. The next FBA contest after the class they won 1st place in 3 categories and won Grand Champion! They have won 2 GCs and 2 RGCs since the class.

Big Bad Wolf has won 3 RGCs since taking it.

Wooley Bully BBQ Mafia has won 1 GC and 1 RGC, as well as scoring a perfect score in brisket!

Sho Gud has won a GC and a RGC in the Backyard division.

Ed-QUE-cators Competition BBQ Team won their first Reserve Grand Champion up in NY.

Southern Soul BBQ (as seen on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives) on St. Simon’s Island GA won their first RGC just after the class.

Smokin’ Your Butt won their first Grand Champion, in Jacksonville.

Go For Smoke, Reserve Grand Champion, N. Augusta SC.

Add in my 31 GCs and 21 RGCs, and I think there is a pretty solid track record for the techniques I’m teaching.