Ole Barn unhooking the BBQ plow

It’s a hot day outside, perfect for barbeque practice, and the Ole Barn BBQ team is gearing up.

A large grill on the ground. A $1,100 pit maker unit for brisket and pork butts. A Louisiana grill ready for meat. And a four-person crew that knows their barbeque and grilling. The Ole Barn BBQ cooking competition team is getting ready to go out and have some fun.

“We’re always playing around with barbeque,” said Bob Nelson, Ole Barn BBQ owner. “Always. Grilling and smoking, (we’re) doing a blue cheese competition in May.”

There’s plenty of experience on the team, which comprises Nelson, his kitchen manager Marc Shapiro and Ole Barn BBQ employees.

“It actually does a lot of PR for the Ole Barn,” Shapiro said. He’s been in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years and has competed on various cooking teams before, primarily in Florida.

“It’s fun to bring the skill level, the experience and knowledge and team up with Bob, just brainstorming … and seeing if we can’t take home some of these big trophies,” he said.

Part of the cooking competition draw for Nelson is how fun each competition can be. Meeting new people with new recipes and comparing cooking styles is one of many benefits, according to him.

“You meet people from all over the state and all over the country in some cases,” Nelson said. “It’s a big thing. Since the BBQ Pitmasters TV show and all these things come on, there’s been great enthusiasm for the backyard barbeque.”

Of course, competing against these other teams is a thrill itself.

“Everybody thinks they have the best and it’s fun to find out if you do,” Shapiro said.

Nelson and his teammates formed not only to have fun but to show off Ole Barn BBQ’s skills. There’s plenty of ways for the team to show off, as Ole Barn wants to compete in a variety of meats using charcoal and wood — gas and electric cooking is prohibited in many competitions, according to Nelson.

“We compete on brisket, pork butts, ribs, and chicken,” Nelson said.

The team representing Austin’s newest barbeque restaurant began showing off its stuff last month at the Smoke over Veishea competition in Ames, Iowa.

Though Ole Barn BBQ didn’t place, they learned plenty about what they need to do in future Midwest competitions. Ole Barn BBQ also joined the Kansas City Barbeque Society as well.

Ole Barn BBQ is competing at the Minnesota in May BBQ Contest in Faribault this weekend, and hopes to compete across the state and the region throughout the summer. Residents can follow Ole Barn BBQ’s progress at its Facebook page.