I had named my kayak, Rocks or Water, because it is the Bourbon Boat. But now that it’s the BBQ and Bourbon Boat, I guess I need to add/change the name to Rocks or Water and Dry Rub… or you have a better idea?

While others have some BBQ decals that are clever…

I like the fact that the decals from BBQDecal.com are in the shape of the animals we love to Q, not just an oval or rectangle.

(Note the backgrounds are not black as shown above.)

The BBQ decals are just a $2 each plus shipping. So in addition to my kayak, these will also make an appearance on my cars. Never know where that next great BBQ tip or recipe may come from so it doesn’t hurt to show your allegiance to the craft of BBQ.

Macanudo®, America’s number-one-selling premium cigar brand is teaming up with Playboy to award one lucky consumer and three guests with the grand prize in the Macanudo Millionaire sweepstakes, an all-expense paid, three-day, two night trip to the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. While in Sin City, the winner and his or her guests will be treated to a VIP evening at the legendary Playboy Club, where they will be accompanied by two Playboy Playmates who will stand in for Lady Luck when the contestant gets a chance to spin a roulette wheel to win the $1,000,000 prize.
In the contest’s website (www.macanudomillionaire.com), Hope Dworaczyk, Playboy’s Miss April 2009, entices Macanudo smokers with the lure of Las Vegas and the chance to win a cool million dollars. Flanked by two fellow Playboy Playmates in her call to entry, Hope encourages consumers of legal smoking age to visit their favorite U.S. tobacco shop between September 14 and October 31, 2009 to purchase a specially-marked four-pack containing Macanudo Café, Maduro, Robust and Gold Label cigars. Inside the pack, consumers will find details about how they can enter videos, photos and brief essays expressing their need to win the trip to the strip and the $1,000,000 prize.

Consumers can also enter the contest by visiting macanudomillionaire.com or by purchasing cigars through participating online cigar retailers. No purchase necessary. For official rules

Debo Mukherjee, vice president of marketing for General Cigar, parent company of Macanudo, comments,

“Macanudo Millionaire is the most exciting promotion we’ve created to date. The trip for the winner and three guests to a weekend in Las Vegas, complete with a VIP evening at the Playboy Club speaks volumes about the brand’s connection to socializing with friends. Of course, the $1,000,000 prize speaks for itself.”

The winner of the Macanudo Millionaire contest will be selected on or before November 21, 2009 and the “Big Spin” to win the $1,000,000 will take place at the Palms Hotel and Casino on December 12, 2009. Additional details about the Big Spin will be updated on macanudomillionaire.com.

It will never be as cool as having your own Johnsonville Apron, but these shirts are pretty cool too.

Get your free Johnsonville “TAILGATEVILLE”
t-shirt when you send in

HOW TO GET YOUR FREE SHIRT Download this form (click to download) Fill in your name, U.S. postal address and e-mail address Include 4 valid UPCs from our Fresh Brat products (please see list below) Mail the completed form to: Johnsonville Tee Offer c/o Wild Impact Marketing 10001 Innovation Dr. Suite 101 Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Please allow 4-6 weeks delivery. Redemptions must be postmarked by January 7, 2010. All shirts are size XL. *Valid UPCs For This Promotion: Fresh Original Bratwurst , Hot ’n Spicy Bratwurst, Beer ’n Bratwurst, Grilling Chorizo, Irish O‘Garlic, Cheddar Bratwurst, Bratwurst Patties, Original Bratwurst Party Pack, Beer ’n Bratwurst Party Pack, German Brand Bratwurst Party Pack

Big Bob Gibson of Decatur, AL will drive 900 miles and BBQ 3,000 pounds of pork butt.

It’s not Kentucky barbeque, but this graphic is just too good not to bring to your attention. Ole Bob gots hisself a honker of a rolling smoker.

h/t Chris via Ken Wheaton

• Think of such barbeque competitions as an extension of your catering function.

When Chris Lilly, pitmaster at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Ala., purchased his first mobile cooker in 1996, entering his first contest was an afterthought “just to get our name out there and show we have the capability to do large parties,” he says. Today, Lilly is a key draw at popular festivals such as the Memphis in May International Festival and New York City’s annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, and the exposure continues to build big business for the restaurant.

• Bring along trusted staff to man the fire so that all food served off-site is consistent with the quality offered in the restaurant.

“There’s no substitute for your own loyal team members acting as ambassadors of your brand,” says Amy Mills Tunnicliffe of 17th Street Bar & Grill in Murphysboro, Ill., a multiple winner at Memphis in May.

• Portion control is a big issue. Running out of food too soon is never a good move, nor is dealing with lots of leftovers. Make sure to give helpers a quick lesson about how much food to put on each plate.

• When budgeting, look beyond major food costs to smaller items such seasonings. “You’ll go through a lot of tires on your trailer,” he says. “Plan so you can recoup the cost and repair or replace equipment when the time comes.”

• Keep good records to help predict costs and supplies needed for future events. Festivals are a lot of work and typically they’re an investment, but they also can be publicity jackpots (even if your barbecue doesn’t take first prize).