The Meatwave BBQ Team -- Indiegogo

The Rise of the Meatwave

Ribs The Meatwave was born 8 years ago with just one man and his grill. A few friends crowded around a dollar store grill while I took to the flames for the first time in the courtyard of my hidden cottage apartment in Astoria, NY. What started as a standard backyard cookout quickly became a full-on passion as I grilled and barbecued for friends every other weekend in the summer months, and for myself constantly. With years of grilling under my belt, I decided to share my love for the art through a blog where I dispensed grilling tips, tricks, and recipes. This led me to become the grilling columnist on Serious Eats, where I now write weekly grilling and condiment columns. I'm now ready to take The Meatwave to the next level, to move from the backyard to the barbecue circuit with my own team, which I'm recruiting all of you to help me build.

The Next Wave of Meat

Pulled Pork So why help build a barbecue team? Barbecue to me is nothing without people to share it with. I open my house for barbecue to friends new and old alike, and I can't imagine starting a team that doesn't take that communal aspect into account. Likewise, as supporting members of my team, you'd be welcome to come stand (and eat) with me as I start moving along the barbecue trail with 2-3 NY-based competitions this spring and summer.

I also see a future where I use barbecue for a greater good. I've dedicated most of my life to non-profits and would love nothing more than to find a way to use my barbecue skills to help support charities that I care about. Forming a team and getting myself out there is just a first step to larger ideas. As a small beginning to this goal, any monetary winnings from this year's competitions will be donated to local NYC food-based charities, like Food Bank NYC and City Harvest.

Building the Meatwave Team

Ribs So if I've been barbecuing for years, why do I need to raise money to start a team? Basically, I need to build a mobile kitchen with a lot of equipment I do not currently own. Plus there's the cost of actually competing, including entry fees, food supplies, and transportation (I do not own a car). Here's a quick break-down of how I see the money being spent:

Tables & Tents: $400

Smoker, Grill, and Stove: $450

Food Storage (coolers & cambro): $450

Misc Equipment: $100

Transportation: $500

Entry Fees: $425

Food Costs: $1000

Fundraising Fees & Perks: $675-1000

Above and Beyond

The support of my friends, family, and fans to reach the goal has meant the world to me. I now have raised enough to fulfill on the perks and get the minimum equipment needed to compete in 2 competitions this summer. Of course, The Meatwave dreams big and is looking beyond the goal and to the future. Any additional money raised will go to funding a third competition and additional supplies that will be incredibly helpful to have to help making The Meatwave a winning team. Further down the road, I'm already exploring what it would take to commercially bottle and sell my barbecue sauces, and additional funds can also go into that venture to further spread the gospel of The Meatwave!

Help Spread the Meat

My meaty minions have never let me down so far, and I hope to count on you in spreading the Meatwave love. Share this on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. Post it on your blog and tell your friends and family.

Created By:

Joshua Bousel

1.1575 Complete

$4,630

Raised of $4,000 Goal

0 time left

Flexible Funding campaign

This campaign received all of the funds contributed on Wed Mar 14.

Perks

for your contribution

$5 Hush Puppy

No amount is too little to set this griller's heart aflame. To show my gratitude, you'll be listed as a contributor to the team on the blog. (Every higher level will also get their name on the blog.)
$10 Pit Bean

Get your name on the blog as a contributor, but with the added bonus of a special thank you card in the mail from the Meatmaster. Who doesn't love getting mail?
$25 Hot Wing

Wear your pride in the Meatwave with a special edition "I *Heart* the Meatwave" button, which will come along with a special thank you card.
$35 Rib Alphabet

You ask and you shall receive...get an 8.5x11" print of the rib alphabet, plus the limited-edition button and a personal thank you card.
$50 Half Rack

Get name recognition everywhere the Meatwave goes. At this level you'll be added to our "Ribs of Fame" wall�that's your name spelled out in ribs plastered on the booth's wall. Plus, we'll send you a button for being so kind. (Every higher level will also get their name on the wall.)
$75 Burnt End

Port the Meatwave with you everywhere with a limited-edition Meatwave tote. You'll also get a Meatwave button attached to your tote.
$150 Sauced

The Meatwave isn't just about the meat, there's also been a lot of hard work on barbecue sauces. Get 1 pint of our Cherry-Chipotle sauce, plus a tote and button.
$250 Short Rib

Get a limited edition Meatwave mini-cookbook, featuring some of the best recipes and photos from the Meatwave over the years. Oh, and we'll throw in a tote and a button as well.
$500 Full Rack

Now things are getting interesting, get a full rack of barbecue ribs! Must be in the NYC area for this one, but don't fret, outside of NYC you'll still get something great--3 different jars of sauce. No matter where you are, you'll also get a tote and button.
$750 Pork Butt

A rack of ribs not enough to satisfy you? Then go for an entire smoked pork butt with a bottle of the Meatwave's vinegar sauce instead. Also only available in the NYC area, but others will get 3 different Meatwave sauces plus the mini-cookbook, and everyone gets a tote and button.
$1,250 Whole Hog

This is it, the grandaddy of perks, a full barbecue feast, enough to feed 15-20 people. Included will be 3 pork butts, baked beans, coleslaw, and sauces. Delivered within the NYC metro area. Tote and button come along with this as well.