Free Food Prep Seminar for Santa Fe College Boots 'n BBQ Cook-off

November 5, 2009

It's not just about food, it's about fun!

Backyard (amateur) barbecuers who plan to compete in the SF Boots 'n BBQ contest can learn how judges would like entries to look. The art of BBQ presentation will be explained at a free food preparation seminar Sunday, Nov. 22.

"Big Dennis" Schmitz, a BBQ pro and contest rep for the Florida Barbecue Association, gives the seminar to show amateur barbecuers how to win the highest scores they can.

"I want to take away the mystery of the rules and let backyard cooks know how much fun the competition is," said Schmitz.

At the seminar he will explain judging and scoring and also prepare an entry so folks can see how it should look. Schmitz said that presentation, taste, and tenderness are the three areas of judging.

"There were five backyard teams in last year's Boots 'n BBQ and they all enjoyed the experience," said Schmitz. "Having amateur teams creates community because friends and family come out to support them."

He expects a larger number of backyard teams this year and more professional teams as well because there's no conflicting FBA event that weekend (Boots 'n BBQ is Feb. 12-13, 2010). Schmitz, who has organized about 50 barbecue contests for the FBA, said the key to success is to have lots of teams compete.

BBQ teams can be made up of college students, clubs, business associates, church friends, professional groups, families and more. Anyone interested in entering a team can call the contact information below.

The free seminar is 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Starke Golf and Country Club, 15501 NE 14th Ave., Starke. It should run for two hours; pre-registration by noon Nov. 20 is required. To register call 904-964-5382 ext. 5355, or 352-395-5355, or e-mail kathryn.lehman@sfcollege.edu.