Champion BBQ Team Uses Heritage Acres Pork

By Tricia Falter

Cooking started out as a hobby for a husband and wife team and their friend. However, once they got involved in competition barbequing, the proverbial hook set deep and they have been winning all over the Midwest with their tasty barbeque.

"Smokin' In The Dark," a KCBS Competition BBQ, Catering and BBQ Spice Company, has been involved in competition barbequing since 2000. Before using Heritage Acres Pork, they used pork from various places. But once they started using pork from a family farmer-owned cooperative, they never want to use any other product.

"We are allowed to cook any brand of pork and we are choosing to cook Ozark Mountain Pork because there are no additives-no added salt, brine or water," said Larry Randolph, head member of the team. "IBP and Tyson tumble and inject their pork. We don't want that; we want to be able to taste the pork the way it was meant to taste."

Team members include Larry and Julie Randolph and Brad "Rerub" Rapp.

Not only does Randolph appreciate the quality of the pork he supports what the Ozark Mountain Pork Cooperative is trying to do. "The idea is to preserve the family farm and this is one way I can do that."

"Smokin' In The Dark" showed their support by cooking Heritage Acres bratwursts, Italian sausages and chops on a stick, which is a pork chop cut with a portion of the rib bone still on it so people can grab it for easier eating, at the 2003 Southwest Missouri State University Bears Homecoming. Bear Fest Village is where Ozark Mountain Pork and MFU set up to sell the pork. It was a promotional event where Ozark Mountain Pork Cooperative and Heritage Acres Pork got radio coverage before the football game. Coupons for the pork were also handed out to be redeemed at local grocery stores.

The team has won perfect scores at the 2003 Indiana State Championship in Madison, Indiana and in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, using Heritage Acres Pork. Their claim to fame, though, was winning grand champion at the 2002 American Royale/KC Masterpiece International Invitational BBQ Championship. This competition is by invitation only and compares the best of the best.

For more information about "Smoking In The Dark," visit www.SmokinInTheDark.com. Or feel free to call Larry at 417-838-1950. They are available for catering services and cooking classes. A variety of special, award-winning rubs are available to buy on their website.