Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Jack and The Story

Today is a good day! We found out late this afternoon that we've been drawn for The Jack Daniels World Championship Barbeque Contest. This is a pretty big deal! It's been at least 10 years since our last trip to The Jack. This invitation only contest is held in Lynchburg, TN on the grounds of the world famous Jack Daniels Distillery.

On our last outing to The Jack I was still playing with our ribs. Heath and I decided that this was as good a time as any to do a bit of experimentation and for some reason we thought tequila flavored beer would be the key to winning. We came in last. Dead Last. Granted it was in a field of talented professionals, but still. LAST. I'll admit it: I cried. Like a whiney titty baby. If you think there's no crying in bbq, you're wrong. It was like being the last place Ms. Universe contestant. You know you can't be that bad, but you're still the biggest loser in the world.

About a month ago my daddy and I recorded an interview with The Story's Dick Gordon.
Daddy let me do most of the talking. OK, I did nearly all of the talking because I occasionally like to be the center of attention. Ha! The interview airs tomorrow night at 7:00 on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. If you can't catch this tomorrow night, please download the podcast.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Way to go! I knew you guys would get in! Dr. Swinestine will be pulling for Ubon's...The CHAMPION'S Choice! WooooooHooooooo!!!! Bet "Ole Man" was grinnin ear to ear! So proud of you all! See ya in Vidalia!

Anonymous said...

Leslie: I heard your interview on The Story with Dick Gordon (today on Milwaukee Public Radio), and that prompted me to check out your blog.

Thanks for sharing your story, and good luck in Lynchburg!

Michael M. said...

Leslie, that interview was terrific. You and your Daddy are too sweet! I am glad to know you and sad to live too far away to eat at Ubon's.

I spent New Year's Eve/Day 1993/1994 in that house of canned biscuits in Cleveland. You might have made it sound better than it was. When I called ahead to make sure that the party was still on, the phone had been disconnected. We went anyway.

The episode page is up now.

Gregory Daigle, Jr. said...

Nice interview on "The Story." I especially enjoyed commiserating with you about the employees at the second, ill-fated, restaurant. So many of my fellow restaurant owners can't wait to get that second, third and fourth one going; All they end up with is more debt, more headaches and less cash flow.

If the team invites me again this year I'll try to stop by and say "hello" this spring at MIM.

Additionally, since I would want someone to tell me, I'll relay this to you. There is a typo in your blog's header. It should read, "chronicling".

Dena said...

Hi there...

I just listened to your story on "The Story" while I was running at the gym. You have a great way of telling your story, I was completely riveted to my iPod. I am thrilled for you and envious that you are doing what you love...I love cooking and don't think I would want to do it for a living - then it might stop being fun for me. Have you ever had that thought.

The most significant part for me was when you said that closing the restaurant made you feel like you let your Daddy down. I look up to my father as well and we are very close. I've had a rough go of it at work and felt exactly the same way. He's taught me everything I know about working in the corporate world and my lack of success in this one part of my long career made me feel so ashamed and like I'd let him down. Just like your Dad, my Dad doesn't feel that way and loves me just the same.

Way to go!!!

Dena said...

Hi there...

I just listened to your story on "The Story" while I was running at the gym. You have a great way of telling your story, I was completely riveted to my iPod. I am thrilled for you and envious that you are doing what you love...I love cooking and don't think I would want to do it for a living - then it might stop being fun for me. Have you ever had that thought.

The most significant part for me was when you said that closing the restaurant made you feel like you let your Daddy down. I look up to my father as well and we are very close. I've had a rough go of it at work and felt exactly the same way. He's taught me everything I know about working in the corporate world and my lack of success in this one part of my long career made me feel so ashamed and like I'd let him down. Just like your Dad, my Dad doesn't feel that way and loves me just the same.

Way to go!!!

Anonymous said...

Leslie,
I just listened to your interview on The Story with Dick Gordon. All I can say is WOW!!

I am proud to say that I have juded your family BBQ at least twice. I'm not like your Dad so I don't claim to be able to tell the finished product so maybe I've had you a few times in blind as well.

Thank you and your Dad for sharing your story. Once or twice I teared up like a girl cause the love of family and BBQ both got the smoke in my eyes!!!

Till we Q again,

(aka frankieg on MBN website)

Anonymous said...

What a great interview. I'm kicking myself for not making a detour last week to try out Ubon's. I was back home working on our house after Gustav dropped half a tree on the roof. You didn't mention in the interview that Heath was involved in the tequila lime rib disaster - I think there's more to that story than you revealed!
Tell Heath I said hello.

Tara said...

Hi Leslie,
I heard your interview on NPR a few months back, and I am trying to get more information about you for a possible magazine article. If you are interested in all, would you please contact me at ttfarris@gmail.com? I really hope you do! I think we have a lot in common...Mississippi girl, Dad that barbecues, family restaurants, list goes on & on. :)

Thanks & good luck!
Tara