CS Reunion at Russ' Deck

I'm kind of a newbie, but depending on the date I would love to come by to say hello. Not to be smart, but to answer the other questions, everything!, I'll even pay admission to wander around the worlds largest deck, and see the entire line up of Cookshack equipment in one place.

The date is important.

I want to meet Donna, of course it wouldn't be a party without some of the CS crew and their families.

Always up to learning anything someone is willing to teach, just no tests or scraping chicken...LOL!

What to eat?...Buffet line

Wonder if there is any hotel close that CS could get us a group rate?

COOL IDEA!!!

Sounds like a lot of fun... Could do a whole hog on the 500. (or lots of smaller pieces of hogs )

N

Can we wait till the temp gets above 48*?

It wouldn't be until Spring and it'll be warm. Who wants to be out there in the cold.

Keep in mind, I'm not doing this to create a lot of work for ME. It would need to be more interactive.

we could sort out the menu easy enough.

For group rates, they would want some commitment on #'s.

I'm also thinking everyone contribute, during the day as well as bringing stuff.

Like Sauce. when we did the Houston thing, everyone brough a few bottles of sauce (or fedex them to me) and then we had a tasting. We had over 100 different bottles of sauce for tasting.

I'm in, I'll fly in hungry. this sounds like it may actually go. It will be great to have a picture of me with your deck to put on the coffee can I'm dropping nickels in. Be a real motivator to have a deck like yours. Sign me up.

This is a GREAT idea! Dates are important. We'll be there.

So, dates.

I'm thinking Mid-May (18,19) or Mid-June (23-24). Hard part is Memorial day and 4th of July a lot of families would rather do something else that weekend than eat BBQ (don't know why?). We could try to do a Holiday if that helps everyone, but it would be hard for some. Less vacation time over a Holiday.

Memorial Day would be less hot than OKC in July.

Let's talk it through then I put a poll up and vote on a date.

key is commitment. Head count is important.

We can talk it through, some up iwth lots of the details and finalize. I've email CS about this, waiting to hear from them too.

Memorial Day looks good. Got it on the calendar.

I can't do it June 22,23. Sonja and I hope this will be our 1st taste of cooking comp that weekend...WooHoo!

The May 18,19 would work. Don't know if anyone is cooking Sam's contest in Lenexa that weekend?

I'm with you on doing it earlier as opposed to HOTTER weather.

We'll have to get Sonja to make a big batch of homemade rolls, a family secret recipe that has been handed down. Everyone always sayin', best they ever ate.

Are we having cocktail hour Friday evening? I'd love to hear any old comp stories/lies!

This sounds great, depending on the date, I am in. Would probably be a one day thing for me, hope I can circumnavigate the whole deck in a day. Is that possible????

Can us Hillbillies come to? A good friend that turned me on the CS and I have talked about making the cookin class one day but this sounds like a great deal. We could pick up some road kill along the way.

Hey think we could like have the worlds largest DECK sale instead of tent sale, and maybe Cookshack could have some really neat discounts on the CB? I may get so dizzy on the deck I would pull the trigger on the CB while I'm there?? Just a thought.

Oh chit!, John will be walking around with his order form, just like at the class!

quote:

Originally posted by Cook One:
... hope I can circumnavigate the whole deck in a day. Is that possible????

In one day no, you tend to stop and stare a lot...

So, current date possibility are:

5/18-5/19
5/24-5/25 (Sat/Sun Memorial Day)

July 4th is on a Wed so that's out.

Other ideas for dates?

I know one date won't work for everyone, so speak up with alternative dates. We'll eventually vote.

Key thing is I want to keep this fun, for eating and not get as "instructional" as the class. That's too formal. My deck is about fun.

My two cents worth is any date that is Friday and Saturday, then we vote.

I'm in! Still using leftover vacation from last year. Boss yelled at me to use it up sooner, so this sounds perfect. Would LOVE to meet a bunch of you guys & gals, put a face with the name.

I'll be doing a lot of fishing in May, but I will try to make it down.

quote:

Originally posted by cal:

Are we having cocktail hour Friday evening? I'd love to hear any old comp stories/lies!

Cocktail HOUR???

My wife and I would love to come down from Nebraska and attend!!! I weekend in mid May would be great. Couldn't come Mem Day weekend but I understand that no single weekend would work for all.

Sonja says she is in too.

Just posted the poll over here:


http://forum.cookshack.com/eve...622951327#9622951327

Here are my thoughts (nothing set in stone, so just putting it out there):

Travel is tough trying to do something like this as you'll have to travel during Thursday or Friday; especially for you out of towners, so let us know if this Friday night/Saturday option works for you.


1. Once we have a count, I can call around to some close hotels and see what we can do for price.

2. Families. Families are welcome, but this is all about BBQ. If they want to come and explore the town that's okay. There is plenty of room on the deck, but Saturday is ALL about BBQ. I'm sure the kids don't want to hang out all day for BBQ.

3. Friday night. We can do simple food, maybe something I can cook and have ready. Maybe heavy appetizers. And there will be alcohol, so bring a designated driver. We will also have to prep some things if we want to do any overnight cooks (brisket? Butts? Something else?). Oh, and Happy hour won't be an hour. I have lights on the deck

2. Saturday. From Breakfast (fatties and other breakfast) to lunch to dinner, the day will just be something we schedule the day. The biggest challenge will be a good mix of actual cooking and some actual eating.

WHAT TO EAT/COOK/LEARN:

Start a list, tell us what you want to do at this event.

If ANY of you want to cook something, just volunteer. Once we have the list, we can sort out a calendar.

I'm also leaving it open as to what you want me to cook? You've seen my cooking, just tell me what you want to taste.

COST: Here's a key. We'll need to share expenses. I could ask whoever is cooking to cover their cost, but some items might be a little more expensive. More to come on this, not sure exactly how to work this

SIDE EVENT: At the first CS Reunion, we had a sauce tasting contest. What I'd like to do is have people send me bottles of their local sauces that they like/love (hopefully everyone from Oklahoma won't bring Head Country).

Just throwing this out there Smokin', but for the cost, when we send you a bottle of sauce, we could also send some money/person and anything left to divide back... we can worry about that part after meat, spices,supplies,etc. is bought? Unless you don't want to do the shopping?

Good idea, we can sort it out.

I'm sure CS will also chip in, so I want to make it as painless as we can for all.

Once we firm up a date, we'll get all the details going.

So keep the ideas coming.

This is about all of us, I don't want to run it more than I have to, you guys keep me busy with the forum as it is... LOL

Maybe everyone bring copies of fave recipies to share with others? I would like lots of advice on the fec 100 to try on mine. Fave rubs, sauces and ?????? Just sharing lots of ideas would be great.

Good idea 2nd Hand, how about this we take it one step further. We build one electronically and "share" after the event. Some photos, etc. If someone wants to film them and we post that could work too.

But what's on the list, I need help developing that list?

I'm looking for unique ideas. Like Smoked Almonds and some of the posts that have favorites.

Who wants to step up and Volunteer?

Brisket and BE are something I'd like to taste and talk about. I've done one so far and it was a Disaster of my own making. Brisket is one of my favorites and I've never had a burnt end. So that my vote.

Thanks.

Well I keep hinting, no one offers any ideas.

So Brisket and BE.
Probably need to do ribs, two ways. Spares and BB
I'd like to do some grilling on the CB & PG, so maybe so burgers/steak/pizza or something (we love Calzone's on the PG)

Smoked Almond, maybe cheese, maybe some jerky

Sides, have to have beans.

Pig Candy, ABT's, BOINKS, MOINKS

Given the nature of the forum, I think the first reunion on the deck is back to basics on BBQ with everyone sharing. The stories and talking will be a close 2nd to any eating.

Some of that Shrimp would be nice.

Since I am from the south, I would love pulled pork and ribs. Anything else would just be great but the above are staples for us in Alabama.

quote:

Originally posted by Cook One:
Since I am from the south, I would love pulled pork and ribs. Anything else would just be great but the above are staples for us in Alabama.

Forgot to finish, I did say I was from Alabama, but better ways to fix the pork and ribs would be great to learn
, but I think the Amerique has figured it out

Russ I think ALL of the above sounds great!! I don't care when you have it I WILL be there. Sure lookin forward to it!!