The Smoke Me Tender BBQ team might have come full circle.  In 2006, wide-eyed newbies entered their very first competition with a backyard smoker – the Great American BBQ.  In 2009, they entered the GAB for the fourth time, but this time it was a much more experienced team that pulled in with an Oklahoma Joe's smoker.  By winning a Grand Championship at the 2008 Jesse James Festival, the team also qualified for the Invitational division for the first time.

In the Invitational, comprised of all Grand Champion teams from other contests, Smoke Me Tender finished in the middle of the pack of 44 teams.  Not as much fun as bringing home the big trophy and big check that accompanies it, but still a respectable finish in this field of champions.

In the open division, facing competition from over 160 teams, they placed 12th with brisket and 20th place for chicken, both of which earned ribbons and cash awards.  Their pork and ribs didn't score as well this time, dropping the team's rank to 38th place overall.  In the non-sanctioned categories, they took 5th place for beans and 9th for vegetables.

Grand-kids Nick Bosley and Dakota and Katie Peterson all competed in Kids Que for the first time, and they had a blast.  They all looked snazzy in their custom aprons, too.

Smoke Me Tender BBQ team members are looking ahead to defending their Grand Champion title at the Jesse James festival in Kearney, Missouri, and the American Royal BBQ contest, where they will again compete in both the Invitational and Open divisions.

For more information about the Great American BBQ Festival, visit www.thinkbbq.com.

Open

Overall:   38 / 163 teams

Chicken:    20

Ribs:    134

Pork:     58

Brisket:    12

Sides Overall:   5 

Vegetables:   9 / 44

Potatoes:   28 /50

Beans:   5 / 76