As my workweek winds down this Fri July 27, 2012, the news just in is that SYD is headed to Lynchburg in October. Woo Hoo!!!
The Jack is considered by many pitmasters as the most prestigious BBQ contest in America and is by invitation only. I’ve been trying for four years to get there as only one team that wins a grand championship from each state is chosen by lottery to attend each year. Teams that win 7 grand championships are granted an automatic entry as the Lucky 7. Each year, only a handful of the 5,000 teams in American can win 7 GCs for the automatic. SYD was able to win 7 for 2010 and 2011 but due to technicalities in each year, one of my seven did not count for each those years. So in 2012, I won 7 again and asked for it to be validated. I received a favorable confirmation today.
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From: “Christian, Deborah” <Debbie_Christian@b-f.com>
To: Harry <harsoo@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 7:29 AM
Subject: RE: Eligibility for Slap Yo Daddy 7 wins for Jack Automatic 2012
Hi Harry,
You are good to go! I will finally get to meet you in person in October.
Just let us know if you need anything.
Have a good weekend!
Debbie Christian
Event Coordinator
Jack Daniel Distillery
160 Craig Street
Lynchburg, TN 37352
931-759-6332
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My journey is in tribute to Teri Bishop, my co-worker in IT who passed away last year from kidney cancer. Teri dragged us into conference room in March 2008 to make us write down our Bucket List after she saw the movie of the same name by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. That started me on my weekend passion and the rest, as they say, is history.
L to R – Janice Hill, David Lee, Teri Bishop, Harry
It’s been an amazing four-year journey of 27 Grand Championships and TV show across the continental United States, Canada, Hawaii, and England, 70+ first places, 4 Team of the Year TOY awards, donations to multiple charities, 40,000 airline miles, 150+ nights sleeping in my van and on the streets, and 100,000 miles driven. And the help and support from 14 assistant cooks, plus a big dose of unwavering positive energy from my many friends, co-workers, and family across the US and the world!
I know Teri’s spirit is with me every step along the way.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sharing this incredible journey with me.
Harry
Pic of the British cup and congratulatory flowers from Donna my significant other outside Janice’s office