My thanks to everyone who attended the big Planking Secrets book launch event on May 16 at Vancouver's Hamilton Street Grill. What a great party, enhanced greatly by HSG chef Neil Wyle's hospitality, along with complementary food from Whitecap Books and delicious beverages from R&B Brewing and Appleton Estate rum.

The big thrill of the evening for me was a surprise visit from my planking mentor, famed barbecue chef Ted Reader, author of Sticks and Stones, a great book about planking and other things.

Thanks also to Johnstone's BBQs & Parts for providing the Weber Genesis grill that all the food was cooked on, and Johnstone's Bryan O'Connor for taking the fab photos of the event (see them here. Thanks, Bryan!)

Better late than never, I say.

First of all, a big thanks to all the participants in our big Secrets of Championship Barbecue workshop on Saturday, May 13.

For the first time in the ten-year history of the event, we staged a mini-contest at the end of the day, with two-person teams turning in their chicken and ribs to a group of judges provided by the Barbecue on the Bow Society, which held a judging workshop in conjunction with our event.

Good idea, and well organized by the wonderful Linda Matthie-Jacobs. Problem was, the turnout for the judging workshop was so high that we had 20 judges tasting each of 16 entries in two categories, so it took longer than expected to get the results tabulated.

So, thanks for your patience. Here are the winners...drum roll please.

CHICKEN

6th place: Kiss My Ash
5th place: Choke 'n' Smoke
4th place: All Ribs and Rooster
3rd place: Beavis and Pork Butt Head
2nd place: Our Butts are Glazed
1st place: Smells Like Smoke, Tastes Like Chicken

RIBS

6th place: Saucy Meat Masters
5th place: Porkaholics Anonymous
4th place: One Bone to Chew On
3rd place: Beavis and Pork Butt Head
2nd place: Kiss My Ash
1st place: All Ribs and Rooster

BEST TEAM NAME

Honourable Mention: Kiss My Ash
1st place: Porkaholics Anonymous

OVERALL RESULTS (COMBINED CHICKEN AND RIBS)

6th place: Choke 'n' Smoke
5th place: Saucy Meat Masters
4th place: Smells Like Smoke, Tastes Like Chicken
3rd place: Kiss My Ash
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPIONS: All Ribs and Rooster
GRAND CHAMPIONS: Beavis and Pork Butt Head

Congrats to the winners and thanks again for all who participated. I hope you all had fun!

Please note: first place winners in each category need to email me at rockinronnie@ronshewchuk.com with your mailing address so I can send you your cheap plastic trophy!

Also, those who either did not get a diploma please at rockinronnie@ronshewchuk.com with your correct name and mailing address and I'll get one out to you.

Yours forever in smoke,

Rockin' Ronnie

Just a quick note to all who participated in the big Secrets of Championship Barbecue event on Saturday, May 13 at the Big Rock Brewery in Calgary. I will be posting the results of the mini-competition on this blog as soon as they are available. Thanks to everyone for the great barbecue spirit, and watch this space for the winners!

Ronnie