This year I'll be heading up north to the beautiful city of Banff located in the Canadian province of Alberta. This place is awesome! Can't wait to get up there and cook up some killer barbecue with my friends in Banff.

You can read more about this event at Joe's Grill Camp

1.) Clean it up! Make sure you clean your yard prior to having guests over. While it's not totally necessary to have a completely cleaned backyard, it IS good habit. Be sure to prep your grill before guests arrive as well. Nobody wants old, crusty BBQ residue on their food. Remember, as many of you already know, heating your grill makes cleaning and prepping your grill much, much, much easier. If you are using a smoker, be sure to clean out any old ashes in the fire box.

Kansas City is the proud beneficiary and host of the American Royal. I first came to see the American Royal when I was a sophomore in high school, 1977, as an attendee of the National FFA Convention. Talk about taking the boy to the city!

My head was spinning with visions of grandeur and I had a fire in my belly. I never dreamed I would someday be Grand Champion Overall at the Invitational. That win is still atop my list of proudest wins.