BBQ, Family, and a Cause Worth Staying Up For: Our Weekend at the Battle Axe BBQ Cookoff
There’s something special about a BBQ competition. The long hours, the smoke rolling off the pit, the friendly competition, and the chance to learn from other cooks all make for a great weekend. But when you add family, friends, and a cause that truly matters, it becomes about so much more than BBQ.
This past weekend, we had the opportunity to participate in the Battle Axe BBQ Cookoff, raising money for Gold Network of East Texas and the families facing childhood cancer. We had a blast, met some incredible people, brought home first place, and walked away reminded of just how special the BBQ community can be.
More Than Just a BBQ Competition
One of the best things about BBQ competitions is getting to meet people who share the same passion for cooking. There’s always something to learn, whether it’s a new technique, a different approach to preparing meat, or a little trick that might make the next cook even better.
Everyone has their own way of doing things, and that’s part of what makes competing so much fun. You get to challenge yourself, improve your BBQ skills, share ideas, and enjoy some friendly competition along the way.
But this weekend had an even bigger purpose. We weren’t just cooking to win. We were cooking to help make a difference for families going through one of the hardest things imaginable.
Supporting Gold Network of East Texas
Gold Network of East Texas supports children with cancer and their families by connecting families who understand the journey, providing practical help, raising awareness, and supporting childhood cancer research. Their mission is built around the idea that no family should have to face childhood cancer alone.
That’s a cause worth showing up for.
When a community comes together around something like this, it’s a reminder that everyone has something they can contribute. For us, that means firing up a smoker, putting in the hours, and doing what we love to help raise money for families who need support.
One of the most meaningful parts of the weekend was learning that all of the cookoff winners donated their prize money to the cause. Winning is always exciting, but knowing that the prize money was going toward helping families made the experience even better.
You can learn more about the organization and the work they do at Gold Network of East Texas.
Making Memories and Passing Down the Passion for BBQ
Another highlight of the weekend was getting to have my oldest son help out and watch him get excited about BBQ.
There’s something pretty special about sharing something you love with your kids. Whether it’s learning how to prepare the meat, keeping an eye on the cook, or just being part of the action, those are the kinds of experiences that turn into great memories.
It’s fun to see that excitement grow and watch the next generation start developing their own passion for BBQ. Competitions are a great way to spend time together, learn new things, and enjoy the process as a family.
At the end of the day, the memories made around the smoker are just as important as the food coming off of it.
Putting One of Our Own Smoker Trailers to the Test
Of course, we couldn’t help but enjoy another part of the weekend: cooking on one of our own East Texas Smoker Company BBQ smoker trailers!
We build custom smoker trailers to help people cook for crowds, compete, cater, and bring people together over great food. There’s something especially satisfying about putting one of our builds to work and seeing it turn out award-winning BBQ.
And this weekend, our rig helped us bring home first place!
We’re proud of the equipment we build, but it’s even more rewarding to see it being used for what it was made to do: cook great food, create experiences, and bring people together.
Was the Lack of Sleep Worth It? Absolutely!
Anyone who has competed in a BBQ cookoff knows that sleep can be in short supply. Between preparation, watching temperatures, tending the fire, and making sure everything comes together at the right time, it can be a long weekend.
But when you’re cooking alongside family and friends, meeting great people, improving your skills, and supporting a cause like Gold Network, the tired feet and lack of sleep are a small price to pay.
We came away with first place, but the real win was being part of something bigger than ourselves. We got to do what we love, spend quality time with family, make new friends, and help raise money for children with cancer and the families standing beside them.
That’s what BBQ is all about to us. It’s not just about the food. It’s about the people, the memories, and the good things that can happen when a community gathers around a smoker.
A big thank-you to everyone who organized the Battle Axe BBQ Cookoff, everyone who competed, and everyone who helped support Gold Network of East Texas. We had an incredible time and are grateful we could be part of it.
We’re already looking forward to the next cookoff. Until then, keep the fires burning and keep it smokin'!
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