The BBQ was submitted, tasted, and judged, weighed and measured!  At the end of the day, it was our friend Matt Barber and his Hot Wachula’s BBQ Team and Dana Hillis of Big Papa’s Country Kitchen who took top honors at the 2011 Planes, Trains & BBQ competition in beautiful Tavares, Florida.

About Matt Barber and the Hot Wachula’s BBQ Team

For those of you who don’t know Matt, he’s a heck of a guy.  I’ve had the chance to meet and speak with him numerous times now, and he’s as open and friendly as I’ve come to expect from folks on the Florida Bar-B-Que Association circuit.  I’ve written a few posts about Matt Barber and Hot Wachula’s and the events they’ve attended.  One of which showcased the Hot Wachula’s “vintage” BBQ Smoker – which you need to see, as it represents one hell of a piece of living BBQ history!

Matt Barber – Hot Wachula’s BBQ
Grand Champion 2011

Photo Credit: Florida Bar-B-Que Association Website.

One thing I respect about Matt is that, as is the case with Terry McKay of Git R Smoked BBQ, Matt and Hot Wachula’s BBQ is pretty much a one man show.  At the 2011 Pig on the Pond event, Matty was there with an EZ-Up tent, a couple of tables, some coolers his smoker and a lawn chair.  No big rig, no 5th wheel trailer.  While he came in 12th overall at the Pig on the Pond event, Matt is always a contender to walk for sure.  My favorite story from this year where Matt is concerned is when he had borrow a ride… and a BBQ cooker… for the 2011 Punta Gorda BBQ & Music Festival and still wound up finished 3rd overall – with an 8th place finish in chicken, 6th place walk in ribs, 1st place finish in pork, and a 1oth place price in brisket.  Very cool.

SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT!

If you want to get your hands on some amazing sauces and salsas, check out Matt’s Hot Wachula’s Website.  He’s a local guy here in the Central Florida area an deserves your support.   Have a sauce or salsa and looking for someone to bottle it for you?  Give Matt a call!  Just ask around the Florida Bar-B-Que Association ciruit crowd.  They’ll tell you he does top notch work.   Give Matt a call at 863-519-0357.

About Dana Hillis and the Big Papa’s Country Kitchen

To say that Dana Hillis and the Big Papa’s Country Kitchen BBQ team are a fixture among the Florida Bar-B-Que circuit crowd – and nationally, for that matter, would be an understatement.  Big Papa’s Country Kitchen wins.  It’s just that simple.  And when they vend an event… you bet your butt you’ll see lines forming 10 folks deep from the start to finish of a given contest.

Dana Hillis – Big Papa’s Country Kitchen BBQ
Reserve Grand Champion 2011

Photo Credit: Florida Bar-B-Que Association Website.

A look on the Florida Bar-B-Que Association’s contest page tells the tale of the great success Big Papa’s Country Kitchen has had this season. Here are some of their most recent successes:

• 2010 Central Florida BBQ Festival – Sebring, FL – Grand Champion
• 2010 Harmony Harvest Festival & BBQ Cookoff – Harmony, FL – Grand Champion
• 2010 Get Your Grill On – Brighton Seminole Casino, Okeechobee, FL – Grand Champion
• 2011 Santa Fe College Bradford Fest Boots-N-BBQ Cook-Off – Starke, FL – Reserve Grand Champion

Top Ten Results for the 2011 Planes, Trains, and Barbeque Tavares, FL

1. Hot Wachula’s
2. Big Papa’s Country Kitchen
3. GB’s BBQ
4. Budmeisters
5. Florida Boys
6. Fully Involved
7. Fatt AshesBBQ
8. Uncle Kenny’s BBQ
9. Get R Smoked
10. Matt Daddy’s BBQ

See the Florida Bar-B-Que Association’s contest page for complete results.