forsythnews.com | FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS | 13
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
From backyard to the big time
Shan Mize, left, and James Mundy prepare ribs during the Big Pig Jig event in 2010, their first competition together. The two friends will compete in the professional category at this weekend’s Que’n in Cumming.
Local grillers hone skills at event By Jennifer Sami
jsami@forsythnews.com
Shan Mize and grill partner James Mundy could be the poster children for what the National BBQ Cup: Que’n in Cumming’s backyard competition is all about. The two friends f r o m Fo r s y th County always enjoyed working the grill at family functions and friendly get-togethers. “ We k i n d o f s t a r t e d o u t a s a hobby,” Mize said. “Now James and I are in the process of trying to get commercially bottled.” The duo showcased their grill skills during the 2011 Que’n in Cumming, placing fourth overall. And in the individual competitions, they took first for both ribs and sauce. From that point, there’s only one place to go, said Randall Bowman, organizer of the local event. “The unwritten rule is that once you win a backyard event, you need to go cook pro,” Bowman said. “Our grand champion from last year is back this year cooking as a pro.” Mize and Mundy are following that tradition this year, cooking in the professional competition. I t ’s eve n t s s u c h a s Q u e ’ n i n Cumming that help give the two exposure, both as grillers and sauce makers, as they start marketing their Pop ‘n’ Chubby’s brand. “You get a little bit more exposure with these kinds of events,” Mize said. “And when you’re winning awards, that gives you better recognition when you’re getting on stage. “Especially when it’s in your community, when people in the community see what you’re doing.”
‘You get a little bit more exposure with these kinds of events. And when you’re winning awards, that gives you better recognition when you’re getting on stage.’ Shan Mize
Que’n in Cumming competitor
They are the success story the backyard competition is all about, Bowman said. And such stories usually start with a couple of guys. “It’s more geared toward your community. It’s the guy who cooks barbecue in his backyard,” Bowman said. “It’s always surprising. You’ll see every end of the spectrum. “You’ll see good, you’ll see bad, you’ll see funny. But the biggest thing is that people have fun.” There is a monetary prize for backyard winners, but Bowman said it’s more about recognition within and for the local community.
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