Chicago Meetup - 2015

[MartyG]

I probably have a few more embarrassing shots, and a bunch more beauty shots of Brian's seldom seen and totally awesome collection. (I took those before anyone arrived.) I plan to add them this weekend as I'm remote from my "fun" computer during the week.

[Troy]

Who got the door prizes? I must have been in the bathroom when all the stuff got given away.

Lets see some pics of the prizes!!! (namely those sweet cherry WKC handles on your grills)

[LightningBoldtz]

Who got the door prizes? I must have been in the bathroom when all the stuff got given away.

Lets see some pics of the prizes!!! (namely those sweet cherry WKC handles on your grills)

Wasn't a lot of organization around the door prizes, it was more or less a free for all.

[einrej]

I got a warming rack, Thanks

[MrHoss]

I was lucky enough to have Marty hand me a Weber Chicken Spice Shaker.

[MartyG]

Several factors led to the "free for all"; heat, beer, rain and more heat were the primary culprits. We kind of had most of the giveaway stuff in one place until the rains hit, After that it was anyone's guess. I brought the cookbooks, warming rack, rubs and a couple other things I can't remember from my personal stash, and when we had more than a few members in one place started asking random members if they had whatever I was holding. If not, they ended up with it. If handles were there to give away I was not aware of that.

Anyone who has hosted a meetup of this magnitude at their own home knows how chaotic it can get. People coming and going at different times, food everywhere, kids, dogs and old men to keep track of, not to mention 40 or 50 priceless kettles to arrange. It's a miracle they work as well as they do. We also missed the chance to do a group shot this time around. Just too much going on at once to pull everyone together in one place. That's usually the best time to do whatever give-away may happen. I don't think members go to meetups to score free stuff anyway, so anything that happens is a bonus. Weber was kind enough to support Chicago Meetup #1 with some cool swag. Since then it's been the generosity of members. I save stuff up when I find it on sale or come across a good deal. This year's stash was intended for the Mid-Atlantic meetup that didn't happen. I have a few things squirreled away for the next one - I'm thinking a Nebraska meetup is overdue. Right @Craig ?

[MrHoss]

Nebraska...at Craig's??? Now that's something I could get behind.

[Troy]

I'm not looking for accountability or anything, just hoping to get some feedback and pics for promotional videos and whatnot.

[Craig]

I'm down! I have a good sized backyard... Gotta get with my wife and square away some details... I don't have a fenced in backyard yet.

[Jeep]

I support @craig for host...

[HankB]

I got the Weber cookbook that is a tribute to the US Marines -  "Command of the grill: A Salute to Steak" and a shirt to go with it. Today I made Bum Philips' Garlic and Balsamic-Marinated Steaks with Rosemary.



They came out great!

[MartyG]

Commander Hank - we salute you!

If anyone commands the grill, it's you Hank! Now, what was the wine pairing?

[MrHoss]

Looks good from over here in Canada Hank.

[Scott Zee]

I received the Weber cookbook...Weber Steaks and Sides.  There are some good looking recipes inside but as yet I haven't tried any. Thanks again to @MartyG for the hookup.  @HankB   I have that book and its full of great recipes from various Marines. I plan on passing my cookbook to my nephew who is a US Marine and currently stationed in Okinawa.

[HankB]

Now, what was the wine pairing?

A Malbec from Argentina. I really enjoyed it.