08/03/2025
This one was special!
When we saw this announced just a few weeks ago, we knew we had to be there to support the cause. We've been out of town for a couple of months, and it’s been hard being away, wishing we were home to help out.
Me and KP landed in Minneapolis at midnight Thursday, grabbed an Uber to Jeff's where he had my truck and trailer packed up and ready to roll—big thanks, Jeff, much love! We hit the road and chewed up the 1300+ miles, made it back to Bandera just before midnight Thursday night. 🙏
Dropped the trailer off at the cookoff Friday afternoon after a quick unload and reset, then ran up to Kerrville to get Reid some shoes and school clothes for Monday's first day back to school. Hopped back in the truck… and it said “Nope. I’m done.” Wouldn’t start.
Huge thanks to Taylor TNT Taxidermy for bringing me diesel and helping me try and get it started. Thought I just ran out—no big deal, been there more times than most. But after a couple of hours trying, no luck. Carl Davis and Kevin Hernandez didn’t blink... They jumped in their truck and drove over to help. You guys are awesome—thank y’all! We worked on it for hours… still no luck.
Left the truck in Kerrville and rode back to the cookoff with Carl and Kevin. Turns out it wasn’t out of diesel… it was the fuel pump control module—on backorder, weeks out.
Got everything done on my meats late...just before midnight, and may or may not have stayed up the rest of the night for karaoke (I’ll never learn, but it was a blast!). Saturday was a grind, running on fumes trying to get all my turn-ins done. Carmen Ridge Breeden, on fumes as well... kept the ship upright and got em all turned in for us. Honestly didn’t have high hopes, but that didn’t matter. This cookoff was for an amazing cause, and it just felt good to be home, back with our BBQ family.
Awards went better than expected...
3rd Ribs
4th Pork
4th Brisket
15th Chicken
Reserve Grand Champion!
Congrats to cast iron cookers on the GC! This man is on fire! Pleasure to share the stage with you my friend!
And if that wasn’t enough—Carl tells me after awards... his sons, Nick and Caleb, found a fuel pump control module at a dealership in Victoria, picked it up, drove to Kerrville, installed it, and brought my truck back to the cookoff... I was in disbelief. Thank you guys so much!! There’s nothing like BBQ family!!
Most importantly, over $35,000 was raised for Texas Firewalkers in this Hill Country flood benefit event. This cookoff was put together in just 3 weeks and I can’t think of one thing that could have been done better. Brenda Waters, Misty, Laura, Austin, CBA, Blake Henson, Linsey, Antlers Lodge, Bobby Delgado, Shay Mickler, Collin McElrath, Craig Oaks, Joey Machado, and so many more stepped up in a HUGE way to make it all happen in a short amount of time. It was incredible to see it all come together. Thank y’all for all your hard work and everything you do!
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