All Eyes On NBBQA “I Am BBQ 2018”

by Chef Mick Brown

Courtesy of http://www.BBQRESCUES.org

#BBQ #Steaks #ChefMickBrown #NBBQA #IAmBBQ #2017
Before and After. My first-ever SCA Competition Steaks at the NBBQA “I Am BBQ 2017 ” Conference in Fort Worth, TX. How’d they do? Video Coming Soon…

 

Only a year ago, the thought of attending my first Conference of the National Barbecue and Grilling Association (NBBQA), was quite intimidating. I was not only nervous to meet (and be judged?) by some of the biggest Legends in the BBQ Industry. Even worse, I felt that the Members have all known each other for years, so me and my West Coast “California BBQ” wouldn’t be so welcome in Texas. Fortunately, I was wrong.  And Yes, I will not only be attending I Am BBQ 2018 this March 14th-17th in Fort Worth, TX., but I also have a big Announcement. Stay tuned…

#NBBQA #IAMBBQ #2017
First Day Registration at NBBQA “I Am BBQ 2017”. Must admit, it was a bit intimidating…

Upon arriving last year,  everyone I encountered was very welcoming to this Newcomer, and they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable to be a new Member of the country’s  (maybe the world’s?) largest Association devoted to Grilling. Among the hundreds of people that I met, some will be highlighted through photos and videos in the upcoming weeks. Let me encourage anyone in the BBQ Industry (or if you are adventurous Griller), do yourself a favor and join the NBBQA today. There are tons of Resources and Benefits you can enjoy throughout the year. Also, please try your best to make it to Fort Worth for this year’s “I Am BBQ 2018” Conference.

#MarkLambert #ChefMickBrown #NBBQA #IAmBBQ #2017
At Opening Night Reception one of the first people I met was Mark Lambert. Talked to him for about 20 Minutes before finding out he was the new incoming Chairman of the NBBQA. My Bad.

Why should you go? One obvious reason is that you will have a chance to sample more delicious Barbecue than you can “Shake a Fork At”- prepared by some of the most accomplished Grill Masters in the world. Yes, people came from Mexico, China and as far away as Austraila to attend the event last year. Also, you will get a chance to check out some of the Industry’s cutting edge new products, trends and cooking equipment before anyone back at home. This year’s conference will also include a one day BBQ and Grilling Academy on Saturday, March 17th. Finally, the nice variety of Educational BBQ Seminars being offered are both Informative and Fun!

#MamaShed #ChefMickBrown #LindaOrrison #TheShedBBQ #NBBQA #IamBBQ
At the last day’s Big BBQ Bash, I was recruited by The Shed BBQ Team, led by outgoing NBBQA Chairperson Linda Orrison aka Mama Shed.

Which takes us to the big Announcement- I have been invited to join the NBBQA Faculty to help with this year ’s event. Also, I will be co-hosting a Seminar on (what else?) “Making BBQ Healthier and Authentic” along with True Made Foods Founder Abe Kamarak. A subject that is increasingly important as we move BBQ into the future. To combat the ailments affecting our Community like High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Childhood (and Adult) Obesity. People are listening to their Doctors and Nutritionists and seeking to add Healthier Meat Recipes and fresh Veggies to their diets, while trying to limit Calories and the heavy use of Salt and Sugars that exacerbate these conditions. More and more people who love BBQ are looking to see Lighter offerings on Menus, including Vegan Options. Those BBQ Food Operations that take heed will not only attract more new Customers, but also keep their “Regulars” healthy enough to keep coming back.

Look for BBQ RESCUES! to add more on the NBBQA (National Barbecue and Grilling Association) “I Am BBQ 2018” Conference as it heads to Fort Worth, Tx. March 14th-17th in the upcoming weeks. Hope to See Ya’ll There! Until next time- Eat and Be Well.

#TyMachado #ChefMickBrown #FoodNetwork #BBQ #Champions
Two Food Network BBQ Champs. At BBQ Bash, this Cutthroat Kitchen Grill Master Champion finally got to meet Kid’s BBQ Championship Winner Ty Machado of the B&B Charcoal Team.

 

NBBQA LINKS

For Full “I Am BBQ 2018” Schedule, Rates and Accommodations:

https://www.iambbq2018.com/copy-of-conference-program

To Join NBBQA (National Barbecue and Grilling Association)

https://www.iambbq2018.com/join-nbbqa

Educational Programs/Seminars

https://www.iambbq2018.com/educational-program

BBQ & Grilling Academy- Saturday, March 17th, 2018

https://www.iambbq2018.com/bbq-grilling-academy?activate

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Chef Mick Brown is a Food Blogger/Purveyor based in Los Angeles, with over 30 years BBQ and Grilling experience. Aside from Caterer and Private Grilling Instructor, his passions are creating Easy Grilling Recipes and searching for the World’s Best Flavors as General Manager of Tastee BQ Grilling Co.  In May of 2015, he won Grill Master Champion on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen on special BBQ episode “Grill or Be Grilled” (Season 8, Episode 3). He also recently appeared on Bravo TV, catering for the Cast of Vanderpump Rules (Season Finale). He is also author of web blogs  The Adventures of Tastee BQ and  BBQ Catering Confidential. His latest media project BBQ RESCUES!, includes a Blog Talk Radio Show, Youtube TV Channel and Podcasts on iTunes. The new Non-Profit BBQ RESCUES! Foundation is sponsoring the #GYMM Program, that does outreach to the Barbecue Community to promote Smarter and Healthier Grilling in the fight against preventable diseases like Childhood Obesity, Diabetes as well as other important Causes. Email- Mick@BBQRESCUES.org.

 

 

#GrilledShrimp #Salad #HarvestOrganicGrille #Houston

To Shed It For Life- Keep Your Goals in the Forefront of Your Mind

By Larry Bertrand

Courtesy of http://www.BBQRESCUES.com/ShedItForLife

I am officially going into my second week of the BBQ RESCUES! “Get Fit Challenge”. Now the crazy part is that I began my challenge right before the National BBQ and Grilling Association’s (NBBQA) I Am BBQ 2017 Conference. Not only that, but also right before my 30th birthday celebration in Las Vegas. However, I kept my diet in mind and stuck to it to the best of my ability- even in Vegas. I passed up the Pizza and Hamburgers and ordered Salads, Chicken, Grilled Steak, Steamed Vegetables, and various Fruits- and I still enjoyed every bite of it. I believe the trick is to still eat things you enjoy but add Fruits and Veggies to it.

#getfitchallenge #sheditforlife #bbqrescues #chefmickbrown #LarryB
Larry B filming the #GYMM BBQ Charity event hosted by Chef Mick Brown of BBQ RESCUES! in Houston in late April, 2017.

Of course when you cut back on Gluten and Dairy products you start being tempted with Cream Cheese Bagels, Donuts, Pizza, and other foods that are going off of your diet. The first thing to remember in getting started is to stay strong. Keep your goals and your reasons for entering into your challenge in the forefront of your mind. Keep those people who are encouraging you close for motivation. Most importantly, at meals try to get yourself so full of fruits and veggies so you barely have room for the unhealthy food items.
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For me personally when I was getting started I went to the gym my very first day to work out. Now I was out of shape and haven’t worked out in a long time. So as I was working out I talked to myself and motivated myself by keep saying “You got this!”  or “Ok one more time!”. Even when my phone died and I was unable to listen to my music as I worked out, I still kept going saying to myself “I’m in here so I can’t stop.”
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#getfitchallenge #bbqrescues #sheditforlife #harvestorganicgrille #houston
Salad and Mixed Grilled Meats and Veggie plate at Harvest Organic Grille in Houston, TX.

When getting started on your get fit challenge- make a list of fitness goals you wish to accomplish. If your goal is to lose weight then imagine your ideal size. Imagine yourself being able to go to the store and purchase clothes in that size. Imagine how good you will look in those clothes. If your goal is to tone up and gain abs imagine yourself walking along the beach in your bathing suit. Make up in your mind that you are going to achieve your goals no matter what. And everyday of your challenge remember you are one day closer to your goal of Shedding it For Life. Best of Luck!

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As an Assistant Director for the new BBQ RESCUES! Foundation, Larry Bertrand has recently joined the #GetFitChallenge to become more healthy and to inspire others to join him in getting fit as well. He is founder of Our Children Our Future (OCOF) and has received local Awards from the Cities of Houston and Baytown because of work he has done with Non-Profit Organizations. Larry B also practices Criminal law in the Texas area. He hopes to promote healthy eating to inner city youth by showing them that BBQ Grilling is not only delicious, but also can be nutritious. Larry B would like to invite those who have Fitness Goals to join him in the BBQ RESCUES! Get Fit Challenge. Also, anyone who is interested in sponsoring the Get Fit Challenge can reach him via email at LarryB@BBQRescues.com. Please include your contact information and Larry would reach out to you directly to go over sponsorship opportunities. Or use Contact Form:

#BlueSouthernComfortFoods

How to Host a BBQ Food Fundraiser

by Chef Mick Brown

Courtesy of http://www.BBQRescues.com

Did you know that a small portion of the cash that you spend every week on Fast Food could make a big difference in your Community? The Netherlands just had an 81% Voter Turn Out! That’s a huge number for any group of people to participate in anything. Could you imagine if only 20% of the what we spent in the McDrive Thru went to our favorite Causes? What if you invested 50% of the Eating budget into your biggest asset- Your Good Health? What does this have to do with BBQ? Or Food Event Fundraising? Read on.

First, let me Thank the National Barbecue and Grilling Association (NBBQA) for inviting BBQ RESCUES! to cover their Annual “I Am BBQ” Conference in Fort Worth, TX from March 29th thru April 1st, 2017. The Conference is open to the Public in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. You can attend individual events, or buy an Annual Membership (starting at $50), which includes Discounts and other awesome Goodies all year long. There will also be Educational Seminars for anyone who may be thinking about starting a BBQ related Business. They will cover topics from Budgeting, Menu Planning to “How Do You Waygu?”

#ChefMickBrown #BBQ #SantaMonicaPolice #Department
Chef Mick Brown helping serve lunch to 500 people at the Santa Monica Police Dept. 120th Birthday BBQ in 2016.

For those around the rest of the country, BBQ RESCUES! will try to share as many Tips as possible. I also am honored to have been invited to headline a Children’s Charity benefit BBQ Cookout in Houston, TX. on Sunday March 26th, 2017. This will be the first run of a new program where we will travel the country teaching BBQ Food Fundraiser Bootcamps to Charities, Schools, and other worthy Organizations. The first part will be teaching Recipes and Fo0d Safety Tips to Volunteers. Then invited Guests will arrive later to dine on the foods we prepare as they receive a Cooking Demo on how to prepare the dishes at home.

Here are BBQ RESCUES!’ 7 Tips for How to Prepare a Charity Food Fundraiser:

1. Check Local Laws regarding Food Fundraising Events. One time, Non-Profit events usually do not require paying for the permit, but may still need to register the responsible Certified Food Professional involved and required Proof of Insurance. Laws may vary depending on whether food is served privately to invited Guests, or advertised and sold to the General Public. Some Jurisdictions also make distinctions between Baked Goods, Prepared Ready to Eat Products, and serving Potentially Hazardous Foods.

2. Set Date, Time, Budget and locate an appropriate Venue. Once again, most jurisdictions simply require the supervision of a Food Professional and Potable Hands Washing facilities. So consider whether you need to rent a Church or Commercial Kitchen venue or can do it in the Park and in a volunteer’s Backyard.

3. Plan to keep the Menu Simple, the simpler the better. For Meals- it is good to have Vegetarian, Gluten Free, as well as Meat Options to appeal to the widest pool of possible Participants. [Some jurisdictions require filing HAACP* procedures for each Menu Item.]

4. Pre-Planning is Crucial. Whether you meet by Phone, Skype, In Person or stay in contact via Email, it is important to think through each step of the Event, and assign who is responsible for completing it. First timers, be careful of piling too many tasks on one person. Good Intentions are not enough when it comes to Serving Food Safely.  Try to prepare all Volunteers well in advance, so everyone is not starting from scratch getting instructions during event. It is always helpful to prepare detailed Itinerary .

5.Day of Event- Start Early. Do not underestimate how much time it will take to get from Preparing All Food, Doing Set-Up and Coordinating Event Staff prior to receiving Visitors. Remember you always want to bring your “A” Game, when it comes to serving Delicious Food. Most potentially Hazardous Pre-prepared Foods have a 4 Hour Window to be held and served at proper temperatures.

6. Try to Have Fun! Nothing stresses Customers out more than seeing frantic, disorganized conflicts going on with the Cooking Staff. That is why people are regularly walking on the TV Show- Hell’s Kitchen. Everyone is at the Event to support your Charity so make sure they have a Good Time. They will request you to do it again and again, and you will see your Following grow, along with your Club Finances.

7. GOOD LUCK!

#ChefMickBrown #bbqcatering #cateringlosangeles
Don’t forget to add plenty of Grilled Veggies to the Menu, to help balance off some of the Meats. Pictured: Chef Mick Brown grilling Corporate Lunch in Griffith Park, Los Angeles.

Join us for a special Sunday Night BBQ Cookout to benefit Great Inspirations For Teens (GIFT) and Our Children Our Future (OCOF) of Houston, Texas. The event, “GIFT us Your McFastFood Money (#GYMM) will be held on Sunday March 26th, 2017 at 4pm, will feature a Dinner prepared by the Teens with the help of visiting Chef Mick Brown- Host of BBQ RESCUES TV. They promise a delicious and nutritious Menu on a Pay-What-You-Can basis. Also, we will demonstrate how your family can make the Meal at home, for a half of what you’d normally spend on Fast Food.

To RSVP Contact (832) 583-OCOF (6263) or Fill Out Online Registration at:

https://bbqrescues.com/2017/03/22/gymmgift-your-mcfastfood-money/

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Mick Brown is a Food Blogger/Purveyor based in Los Angeles, with over 30 years BBQ and Grilling experience. Aside from Caterer and Private Grilling Instructor, his passions are creating Easy Grilling Recipes and searching for the World’s Best Flavors. General Manager of Tastee BQ Grilling Co. and Superfood Spice company California Gold BBQ Rubs. In May of 2015, he won Grill Master Champion on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen on special BBQ episode “Grill or Be Grilled” (Season 8, Episode 3). He also recently appeared on Bravo TV, catering for the Cast of Vanderpump Rules (Season Finale). He is also author of web blogs  The Adventures of Tastee BQ and  BBQ Catering Confidential. His latest media project BBQ RESCUES!, includes a Blog Talk Radio Show, Youtube TV Channel and Podcasts on iTunes. The new Non-Profit BBQ RESCUES! Foundation is sponsoring the #GetFitChallenge, does outreach to the Barbecue Community to promote Smarter and Healthier Grilling in the fight against preventable diseases like Childhood Obesity, Diabetes as well as other important Causes. Email- Mick@BBQRESCUES.com

LINKS

How Much Americans Spend on Fast Food- https://www.reference.com/food/much-money-americans-spend-fast-food-597cd336a3c818fb

National Barbecue and Grilling Association “I Am BBQ” Conference 2017-  https://www.iambbq2017.com/

*Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Points (Serving Food Safely- FDA) https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/HACCP/

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