This past Saturday was great fun at the Hearth & Grill Shop as it hosted the 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off.  We want to thank you for your participation in this years Backyard Challenge.  We had a record year for contestants with 26 teams entering for the 7th Annual Even.  Judging was very competitive and the margins between tesams were very close.  A total of $6,500 plus in Cash and Prizes went to teams for the 2011 event.

We would also like to thank this years sponsors: Big Green Egg, Music City Metals, Broilmaster, Weber, Firemagic, American Outdoor Grill, Tennessee Golf Cars and their representatives.  Thanks again to Collin Johnson, Ed Reilly and Don Murphy for their time, demonstrations and cooking demonstrations.

The Judges also deserve a special thanks for the difficult job they had eating all of the delicious chicken, ribs and desserts.  It is a horrible job, but someone had to do it!

The weather was great-though a little hot, the teams were competitive and dedicated.  Hearth and Grill Shop had a record Staurday and everyone had a good time.  Thank You!

Congratulations to all of those that place in categories and a special Congratulations to our Grand Prize winners Blue Moon BBQ.  If you did not place this year then please try again at our 8th Annual Backyard Challenge Cook-Off next Spring 2012.  Who knows what will happen, just ask Glen of Papa Rocks BBQ who won 1st Place in the Chicken Charcoal category on his very first competition!

Your dedication and passion to Bar B Q and Friendly Competition is truly appreciated.  Please feel free to forward a link of this blog to family and friends so they can see all the fun we had.

Sincerely,

Jeff M. Lunsford

“Chef Jeff”

The Hearth and Grill Shop

Click Here for Pictures of the Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook Off

Click Here to see a short video clip of each Grill Teams Leader sharing who they are.

Grill Team "Alley & Holcomb" 3rd Place Winner, Gas Division, Chicken Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "Blue Moon BBQ" 1st Place Winner, Gas Division, Rib Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "Mind If I Smoke" 2nd Place Winner, Gas Division, Rib Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "Big B's BBQ" 3rd Place Winner, Gas Division, Rib Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "Pappa Rock's Bar Be Que" 1st Place Winner, Charcoal Division, Chicken Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "Blue Moon BBQ" 2nd Place Winner, Charcoal Division, Chicken Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "The Smokers & Drinkers" 3rd Place Winners, Charcoal Division, Chicken Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "Team Manwagon" 1st Place Winner, Charcoal Division, Rib Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "The Q Crew" 2nd Place Winner, Charcoal Division, Rib Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "Alley & Holcomb" 3rd Place Winner Tie, Charcoal Division, Rib Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "The Smokers & Drinkers" 3rd Place Winner Tie, Charcoal Division, Rib Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off

Grill Team "L.A. Grillers" 1st Place Winner, Desert Category, Hearth and Grill 7th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-OffPig Nation Grill Team at the Hearth and Grill Backyard Challenge June 4, 2011

Spring has sprung and Easter is this Sunday.  This Saturday The Hearth and Grill shop will feature a simple and delicious Grilled Leg of Lamb cooked ot perfection on the Big Green Egg.  The preparation time is minimal and the outcome is a flavorfull grilled lamb dish, just in time for Easter.  There is not a better way to celebrate Easter, than bringing the wonderful Spring flavors of lamb, lemon, olive oil and fresh herbs together.

Best Grilled Leg of Lamb with Olive Oil infused with Fresh Herbs

1  7 to 8 lb leg of lamb, butter flied

For the Marinade :

2  Onions, peeled and sliced

8  Cloves of garlic, crushed

2  Cups dry white wine

1  Cup extra-virgin olive oil

1  Tablespoon chopped Thyme

Fresh black pepper to taste

Combine the onions, garlic wine, olive oil and herbs in a shallow dish, and then season with pepper to taste.  Place the lamb leg in the dish and turn over to coat well.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours up to over night.

For the Herb infused Olive Oil:

1  Bunch fresh Parsley, rough chopped

1  Tablespoon Fresh Thyme, rough chopped

1  Tablespoon fresh Oregano, rough chopped

1  Clove garlic, rough chopped

1  Lemon

1 1/2  Cup extra-virgin olive oil

Using a blender pulse the herbs and garlic together.  Squeeze in the juice from the lemon and then stream in the oil to produce a flavor, green oil.  Reserve.

Preheat the grill.  Remove the lamb from the marinade and season with salt.  Over medium heat, place the lamb on the grill and cook until medium-rare, about 10 to 12 minutes per side.  Remove the lamb to a warm platter and cover with a piece of aluminum foil to keep warm.  Allow the lamb to rest for 10 minutes before carving to reabsorb the natural juices.  Remove the rested lamb to a cutting board, but reserve the platter.  Carve the lamb into slices and arrange back onto the platter.  Garnish with fresh herbs and drizzle with the infused olive oil.

To celebrate 37 years of sales, installation and service in the Nashville, TN area the Hearth and Grill Shop is making the entire month of April 2011 Half Price Installation Month.

1/2 Half Price installation on all Gas Grills, Fireplaces, Gas Logs and Wood Stoves.  Every item sold in the Month of April is eligible for 1/2 half price installation in the Nashville area.

The Hearth and Grill Shop will be exhibiting many of it’s top quality Gas Grills, Built In Grills, Smoker Grills and Fireplace products at this years HBAMT Home Show.  This years show has a new home at the Williams County AgExpo Park in Franklin, TN February 25, 26, 27, 2011 just off I-65 South at Peytonsville Road at Exit 61 with plenty of free parking.  The Home Show has been a Middle Tennessee Tradition for over 40 years.

The Hearth and Grill Shop will have a full staff of experienced Sales and Technical Staff to answer all your questions.  Hearth and Grill works with Residential Home owners and Construction Contractors in selecting the highest quality solution for all your Outside Grill enjoyment or any of your inside the home Fireplace needs.  Come out and see us this weekend!  We are happy to help design any type installation you are seeking.

Here are a few photographs taken on Saturday of our exhibit and staff answering questions in our booth.

Owner and Founder Jeff Lunsford of Hearth and Grill Shop, Nashville, TN

The Big Green Egg has dramatically changed the way many of us smoke and grill at home.  The flexibility, heat retention, and temperature control offered by Big Green Egg has made it one of the most popular grills on the market today.

The Hearth and Grill Shop is Tennessee’s largest volume Green Egg dealer now for two years running.  We have extended that margin further by receiving our largest shipment of the Big Green Egg to date.  On November 18^th, our docks received 156 Big Green Eggs, in all four available models.. Extra Large, Large, Medium, and Small.  Along with the Big Green Egg purchase, we acquired nests and assorted tables to accommodate any patio or deck.  The Hearth and Grill Shop also has the largest selection of “Eggcessories” in Nashville.  Everything from Plate Setters to Vertical Turkey Roasters can be found on our shelves with sales staff available for instructions on all the Eggs and Eggcessories.  The Hearth and Grill Shop also stocks the largest inventory of warranty parts to keep your Big Green Egg grilling and smoking through the holidays.

For Sales, Service, and Warranty Parts visit Tennessee’s Big Green Egg Superstore!  The Hearth and Grill Shop.

The Hearth and Grill Shop will host its 6th Annual Backyard Challenge BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, June 5th, 2010. Teams will compete for over $6000 in cash and prizes. The team entry fee of $75, qualifies each team for the Gas and Charcoal Divisions. For Each division, there is a Chicken & Rib Category. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded in each category. By participating in both divisions and each of the categories, a team is then eligible for the Grand Prize of a Big Green Egg. There will also be a Dessert category that does not factor into the Grand Prize judging.

Team set up begins as early as 4:30pm on Friday, June 4th with meat inspections beginning at 6:00pm that evening. All contestants must be set up by 8:00am Saturday morning. Judging begins at noon on Saturday with prizes awarded at 3:00pm.

Big Green Egg, Firemagic, Weber, and Broilmaster Grills will all be sponsoring the event, which not only includes The Backyard Challenge, but also cooking demonstrations, door prizes, live music, free bottled water and sodas. There will also be the “Biggest One Day Sale” of the year that day. Gas and Charcoal Grills, Gas Logs, Fireplaces will all have a special ONE DAY SALE PRICE lower than the rest of the year.

See below for official rules or in PDF.

Get the official “Entry Form” in PDF.

For more information contact:

Jeff M. Lunsford

The Hearth and Grill Shop

535 Thompson Lane

Nashville, TN 37211

615-255-4551

chefjeff@hearthandgrill.com

Backyard Challenge rules:

1) Entry fee will be $75.00 to enter in either or both divisions: Charcoal or Gas

2) Chicken and Pork Rib (no country ribs). You must enter both the Gas and Charcoal divisions and have entries in both the Chicken and Rib categories to be eligible for Grand Championship.

3) All meat must be inspected, in original store wrapper and in a cooler with ice, and must be held at 40 degrees.

4) After meat is inspected, you may begin to marinate products. Meat inspection will start at 6:00pm Friday though 8:00am Saturday.

5) No food products are to be sold or given to public from cook site.

6) A 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winner will be awarded in for both Divisions in each category.

7) Turn in times: 12:00 Chicken; 1:00 pm – Ribs; 1:45 pm – Dessert. 2:30 –3:00 pm Awards.

You will have five (5) minutes before and five (5) minutes after the hour to turn in your entries to judges.

9) Containers for judging turn-in will be provided. You must turn in at least 6 samples. Example: 6 ribs; 6 chicken thighs, etc.

10) Entries will be judged on appearance, tenderness/ texture and taste in accordance with Kansas City BBQ Society rules.

11) When you finish cooking, a container will be provided for your hot ashes, excess grease etc. please use this container to avoid fires and help keep your area clean.

12) Your cooking area must be as clean as you found it. Garbage containers will be provided. Must have a gray water container and cleaning containers with a solution of water and bleach.

13) Do not have any open fires on the ground. Use a charcoal starter (chimney or start the fire in your cooker). All grill fires must be contained.

14) You will have a 10 x 10 cook site area designated for you. Those needing more space need to notify the Backyard Challenge coordinator for possible consideration as available.

15) You may cook with gas, wood, or charcoal.

16) Water and ice will not be provided.

17) The decisions by the judges will be final. A MANDATORY cooks meeting will be held Saturday, June 5^th at 8:00am to go over rules and questions.

18) No pets, fireworks, or firearms are allowed on grounds.

19) Failure to follow the above rules may cause your entry to be disqualified.

20) Value of Awards will be in excess of $5,000 in cash, prizes, and products.

21) Set up times will be Friday June 4^th, 6-10pm & June 5^th , 6-8am. NO exceptions. Security will be provided for event.

22) You must be 18 years of age to complete. 18 or younger, a parent or guardian must be present at all times.

23) Hearth and Grill Shop, vendors, sponsors and any other participating entities shall not be held liable for any injury or loss.