Was afforded the pleasure of talking with Chad Ward, Jared Hatcher, and the rest of the Lakeland, Florida Whiskey Bent BBQ team at the Bartow Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival yesterday as they prepared to enter their chicken, brisket, ribs, and pork entries up for judging today.
Whiskey Bent BBQ Steps it Up Big Time
Talking with Chad is, I’m gathering, always an informative, interesting, and insightful experience. I mean, this guy knows ‘cue.
What was even more interesting is that these guys made the unanticipated choice to step things up from the backyard to the Pro division yesterday in order to make sure the competition fielded the requisite 25 pro teams to rate as a Jack Daniel’s qualifier.
Folks, I know a whole lot of folks from the south – but these guys know and have shown with this move – what it means to be true and honorable southerners. Put simply, they saw there was a chance that folks coming in from around the country for this Jack Daniel’s qualifying event may be shut out with a field that failed to “make,” and they threw their hat in the ring for Pro division competition.
And make no mistake – with Rob “Rub” Bagby from Swamp Boys BBQ in the running – this Bartow BBQ Cook-off event ain’t gonna be no cakewalk!
I just talked with Chad, and he said they feel good about what they turned in today. I’ll add their results today to this post as I get them in. So, stay tuned.
The Results from Bartow are In…
Just got the call from Chad Ward, and Whiskey Bent BBQ did pretty well overall today. Their results for the 2009 Bartow Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival – Pro Division today with a total score of 735 were as follows:
- 5th in Chicken
- 6th in Briskey
- 11th in Ribs
- 11th in Pork
- 5th Overall
This last stat is the one I’m most proud of these guys for. They manned up, jumped into the Pro arena, and were one away from walking today.
Nice job guys.
Remember – if you need Award Winning BBQ and Catering in the Lakeland area, give Whiskey Bent BBQ a call. You can reach Chad Ward directly at (863) 660-0618 or Jared Hatcher at (863) 409-2178.
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Sitting just next to Downtown Lakeland’s General Store is Good Buddies BBQ, a piece of Lakeland Barbecue Rib and Brisket Nirvana right here in our own backyard.
Follow Good Buddies on Twitter – and Check Them Out on Facebook
I walked into Good Buddies yesterday to ask about an interview and was asked to contact owner Joel Vann on his cell phone (863-221-8144).
Why was Joel not in the restaurant? Simple. He was out on a catering gig doing what he does best – rock the smoker!
So, I left a voicemail for him explaining that I’m a BBQ enthusiast looking to write about and showcase some of Florida’s best BBQ joints, and that I’d like to speak with him about Good Buddies. He sent a text message back to me within minutes stating: “At a catering. I am in!” My guess? He probably had to put a new set of gloves on after speaking with me so he could get back to pulling pork for his guests. Gotta love the hands on owner.
Stay tuned to this blog as we hope to have an in-depth talk with Joel at his Downtown Lakeland Good Buddies BBQ location. I know I can’t wait – and I hope you can’t either!
About the BBQ Smoker Site’s BBQ Restaurant and Cook Team Reviews
This article continues a tradition here on the BBQ Smoker Site where we review and promote some of Florida’s best BBQ joints. Our criteria? Simple. We look for sole proprietor restaurants or competitive cook teams who are getting down to the art of good barbecue in true hands on fashion.
We don’t have anything against warehouse barbecue or chain BBQ restaurants. We just like the close to it – personal touch – we see and experience with the guys working things on the smaller side of the scale.
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