6th NZ JD BBQ Report
It’s hard to believe the 6th annual Jack Daniels New Zealand BBQ has come and gone. As I listen to your feedback I am sure the 7th 2013 BBQ will be a grand occasion and we all have a responsibility to grow the member numbers in 2013 as we have done in 2012.
Thursday 9 Feb.
Moz and Glenn the Aussie contingent arrived after a delayed plane trip from Brisbane due to a massive electrical storm. Clint (Hillbilly) was kind enough to take up the challenge of stocking the chilly bin or esky for the arrival of the Aussie boys. Glenn arrived a bourbon drinker and has now been converted to a Tennessee Whiskey drinker and with that being said I am sure Jack Daniels sales in Queensland will increase dramatically.
Mike (Oldno7) drove down to Tokoroa and enjoyed a few rounds of cocktail making while Duane and Tokboy practiced their entries for the Jack Daniels cocktail challenge. Mike also provided much needed transport of gear to the BBQ in Taupo as my family has increased in numbers over the past few years so my boot space and drastically reduced.
Friday 10 Feb.
It was awesome to meet up with everyone at the Taupo All Seasons Holiday Park. Mike and I were first to arrive and then Martyn and Christine (Jack Devotees) were next to arrive followed by Shane and Ang (Jacktembernz), Maree and Melinda (Twomms), Monty (one of our new members and longest standing squire of the group), Bill and Lois, Ric, Clint, Moz, Glenn and Hayden (another new collector for 2012) and finally Duane and Rebecca with their two kids.
As we settled into the campground it was time to get ready for dinner as some of the group went to our regular joint at Ploughman’s and some of the group stayed and enjoyed the great BBQ facilities at the campground. Both meals were good as when I got back from Ploughman’s I was offered some of the awesome meat that Clint had made and it would have been rude not to try. The spicy chorizo’s hit the spot and after a great Lime, garlic chicken and two sides of fries I was ready for some of the sponsor’s product. Thanks to Jim at Super Liquor Putaruru and to Hancock’s New Zealand for the continued and much appreciated support for the annual New Zealand Jack Daniels BBQ. It was great to spend the night meeting the new collectors and catching up with the old ones. At some point however something very strange happened….. a young couple who quickly became known as “Hey Irish” came over to see what was going on, and they were welcomed with open arms. They soon became a popular part of the group and I am sure they will continue travelling the world and will talk about this great bunch of Jack Daniels collectors for years to come. During the night Irish Becca broke out into full song and she had such an amazing voice that the group was in awe of.
Saturday 12 Feb.
Saturday saw the arrival of Steve (Blocker). This year we went out on mass to the High 5 puzzle challenge which was Puzzle world located on State High Way Five and played Mini Golf as well as a Maze, Shooting games and various puzzles located in the café. The morning was a lot of fun with a two hole in ones achieved as well as a few 10 shot maximums on a par 3. I played well on the first hole and then fell to bits completely for the rest of the eight remaining holes.
From here there was a bit of downtime for people to go into town and get their lotto tickets, ice and food for the night.
Back at the campground it was time to get ready for the Great JD bake off. There is a section for Sweet dishes and one for Savoury. Each year the level of competition increases. This year my dad was self appointed head judge with two new apprentice judges who came in to help. They were impressed with the quality of the dishes and wanted to be included for the event in 2013. The judges even had to try some of the dishes two and three times to ensure the marking was fair and consistent.
The JD cocktail challenge was up next and by the looks of all the entries a lot of thought went into making these drinks. All of the cocktails were different and all of a good standard. This year saw a new judge who came from the Ploughman’s restaurant who at short notice was thankfully able to come. She was impressed with the standard of drinks and even put her name down to judge the food categories next year. (I’ll see what I can do but word is getting out and there is a high demand for people wanting to be judges).
It was getting into late afternoon and the tables were cleared to make room for the Trade table. This is a highlight as fellow collectors go head to head to bid on the various items. A master list is given to an independent person. Collectors go and make bids on paper and hand those in to the independent person who checks off the lists. The person closet to the reserve price gets the chance to buy it for the reserve. E.g., if the reserve is $100. Person A bids $95 and Person B bids $101. Person B is closest they pay $100. If the closest bid is low they choose to pay the reserve or the Seller can take a lower offer. If there are two people who bid the same then they are asked if one will drop out. If both people want it, then a coin is flipped. Once the trade table was over a few private deals went down and we got set up for the Multiple Scleroses Jack and Back appeal.
Martyn and Christine were keen for us to beat last year’s total of approximately $300. It is an auction to raise money for the Multiple Scleroses Jack and Back appeal. Members were asked to donate items for the auction that would start at $1.00 reserve. The auction raised approximately $400.00nz plus $50au for the appeal which is a good effort from a small group of collectors in New Zealand. The bake off judge (my dad) was auctioneer and had a tough job controlling the unruly crowd. It was a great part of the night and one that will continue to grow at future events.
The BBQ was fired up and people enjoyed a good meal before embarking on a night of fun and frivolity. Blocker bought a peg, yes a peg and the game was to peg someone and see how long it stayed on for. Hopefully that won’t catch on next year, although it was funny seeing a peg on people. Blocker also spent a good 3 hours over the night looking for his glass and about an hour looking for his chicken to put into the smoker. The Irish returned and entertained us again with more songs, but I think it was the same song every time. Ah well never mind, it was still good.
Thank You
Finally, it is time for prizegiving and many thanks go out to a lot of people.
Firstly to our Main Sponsor Hancock’s NZ. They have stepped up every year for the last six years to sponsor this event and we appreciate the ongoing support of Jack Daniels Collectors in New Zealand. Next year is our 7th NZ BBQ and we are looking for more collectors to be involved and to grow the brand.
Thanks to Jim Smith from Putaruru Super Liquor for the sponsorship and discount offered to members. We appreciate the support from you and your team.
Thanks to Moz and Glenn from Australia for coming over and bringing over freebies for the group.
Thanks to the Bake off Judges and Cocktail Judge for the hard work you put in. I am sure many people would love to have your job trying all of the goodies.
Thanks to Steve for arranging the Shirts and Hats for the event as well as providing the late smoked chickens and sausages, they went down a treat.
Thanks to the new collectors, Monty, Glenn, Hayden and the Irish for adding some new enthusiasm into the group. Monty donated some very old items to the MS auction which was fantastic and Glenn did a couple of special things during the night which didn’t go unnoticed. And to Hayden thanks for the funny laughs.
Thanks to “The Irish” couple Rich and Becca for your company. They say the Irish are lucky and you were to find us, but we were lucky to meet you too. All the best in your travels.
And finally to all the members for making this event what it is, without you we wouldn’t have an event. If I have missed anyone please accept this as a personal acknowledgement of your support.
Prize Winners
Hancocks Mini Putt winner for the best score – Duane
Hancock’s Hole in One winners – Clint and Ang
Hancock’s Cocktail Winner – Ang (2nd year running)
Hancock’s Bake Off Savoury Winner – Shane
Hancock’s Bake Off Sweet Winner – Katishe
International Tourist Award (Etched Handle) – Moz and Glenn
After prize giving we sampled the sponsor’s product and relaxed into the wee small hours of the night.
Sunday 13 Feb
Clean up, pack up, and say good bye and head home was the order of the day for some of us. The rest are staying on another day to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather and all Taupo has to offer. All the best in 2012 and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2013.
Signing Off for the 6th Annivserary of the JD NZ BBQ 2012
Brian “ Tokboy” Reid
NZ BBQ Plaque
NZ BBQ 2012 Handle
