The competitions I hate the most are the ones which have off the street judges that listen to a CD and they are now a BBQ critic. Almost all off the street BBQ lovers don't understand the KCBS standard for ribs and when they don't fall off the bone it has shown in some of my scores. I know that judging is all subjective and alot depends on what judges you get any given day. Some of my best turn-ins haven't had the best scores. I just dust my pants and look toward the next comp.
I wish judges that have never done a competition and probably won't would go spend a day or a compitition with a team to see what what it's like on our side of it. I have a friend that took the judges class this year and has judges several comps but refueses to spend any time with any team and won't even come to my house when I have a party when BBQ is served saying he will remember what mine taste like and would taint his judging if I was in one he was judging. I wish I had that kind of memory taste. I could be more consitent in taste and get more wins. LOL
Speaking as a CBJ I would *love* to spend time with the hard working teams to learn more about BBQ. Are teams receptive to having CBJs visit after judging is done?
YES WE ARE!!!!! We can only get better at cooking "BBQ" for the judges if we know what makes the judges happy. I have a good friend that is a Master CBJ, and his input has gone a long way to several calls I've had at comps. We can all learn from each other and it would help everyone.
quote:Originally posted by TN PIT CREW:
YES WE ARE!!!!! We can only get better at cooking "BBQ" for the judges if we know what makes the judges happy. I have a good friend that is a Master CBJ, and his input has gone a long way to several calls I've had at comps. We can all learn from each other and it would help everyone.
I'm judging at the Lakeland Pigfest in January 2013. Any cook team that will be there that wouldn't mind me dropping by after the judging please PM me. Thanks!
Having cooked Lakeland a lot of years and judged it 2,or 3 times,here are a couple of suggestions
Most of the pro teams will be there Thur afternoon setting up.Some earlier.You hear about John and Trish Trigg on here and if they brought their big motorhome they could be there Tues night,because there are limited locations with heavy electric outlets.
Meat inspection will be Friday morning and a few more teams will be arriving.
Cookteam meeting will be late afternoon/early evening.
Teams will be prepping meat Friday afternoon and evening and really don't welcome prying eyes and conversation-so pick your times.
If you see a team that appears to be pretty much set up,and has no meat out being prepped,introduce yourself and offer that" you are a learning cook and a judge on the side".
"You would appreciate any thoughts they had that would help you get better at either".
Most good people-and cooks,appreciate being asked their opinion.
Don't overstay your welcome and you might be asked back another time,as well.
Fast Eddy rarely ever misses this one,as well as drbbq.
Stuart,the CS Pres. is often there.
It usually looks like an FEC tradeshow.You will see all sizes ,as well as the grills,etc.
If you see CS products,pick your time and introduce yourself.Most cooks like to talk about their cookers.
Be aware,almost all the judges at Lakeland are Master and also FLBBQAssoc.,MIM,and maybe GA Assoc.Many cook,also.
Don't get hung up on your" training as a CBJ",since the TX teams don't neccessarily use them and may not believe in them.
Almost every cookteam will have at least one CBJ,many a Master.
Most of the really top teams you have seen on TV will be there and often "holding court" as a courtesy.It won't be unusual for your KCBS Team of the Year from years past to be cooking.
That is typically the opening of the point qualification of the year and snowbound teams from all over the eastern,and northern states will be there.It is an Allstar cookoff.It can be triple points for the winner.
You hear about the Kansas City Invitational,the Jack Daniels,The Houston,The Memphis in May,etc.As you walk around,these will be the faces you see and hear about.
The FoodTV cooks may be around with their own TV crews.
Friday night ,there is usually a huge cookteam dinner and social.
Judges can usually join in.Try the deepfried alligator if the ladies are passing it out at the social.
After some cooks get the big meats on around 8PM,they might be socializing and there are rumors of adult beverages.
This is usually your last shot at them until after brisket turnin Sat. afternoon.
Many may be packing to head north and west to beat bad weather and may not even stay for awards.
Pick your times and you may get some time with the best of the best.
Enjoy,as you may never have a better chance to be at a comp.
Most of the pro teams will be there Thur afternoon setting up.Some earlier.You hear about John and Trish Trigg on here and if they brought their big motorhome they could be there Tues night,because there are limited locations with heavy electric outlets.
Meat inspection will be Friday morning and a few more teams will be arriving.
Cookteam meeting will be late afternoon/early evening.
Teams will be prepping meat Friday afternoon and evening and really don't welcome prying eyes and conversation-so pick your times.
If you see a team that appears to be pretty much set up,and has no meat out being prepped,introduce yourself and offer that" you are a learning cook and a judge on the side".
"You would appreciate any thoughts they had that would help you get better at either".
Most good people-and cooks,appreciate being asked their opinion.
Don't overstay your welcome and you might be asked back another time,as well.
Fast Eddy rarely ever misses this one,as well as drbbq.
Stuart,the CS Pres. is often there.
It usually looks like an FEC tradeshow.You will see all sizes ,as well as the grills,etc.
If you see CS products,pick your time and introduce yourself.Most cooks like to talk about their cookers.
Be aware,almost all the judges at Lakeland are Master and also FLBBQAssoc.,MIM,and maybe GA Assoc.Many cook,also.
Don't get hung up on your" training as a CBJ",since the TX teams don't neccessarily use them and may not believe in them.
Almost every cookteam will have at least one CBJ,many a Master.
Most of the really top teams you have seen on TV will be there and often "holding court" as a courtesy.It won't be unusual for your KCBS Team of the Year from years past to be cooking.
That is typically the opening of the point qualification of the year and snowbound teams from all over the eastern,and northern states will be there.It is an Allstar cookoff.It can be triple points for the winner.
You hear about the Kansas City Invitational,the Jack Daniels,The Houston,The Memphis in May,etc.As you walk around,these will be the faces you see and hear about.
The FoodTV cooks may be around with their own TV crews.
Friday night ,there is usually a huge cookteam dinner and social.
Judges can usually join in.Try the deepfried alligator if the ladies are passing it out at the social.
After some cooks get the big meats on around 8PM,they might be socializing and there are rumors of adult beverages.
This is usually your last shot at them until after brisket turnin Sat. afternoon.
Many may be packing to head north and west to beat bad weather and may not even stay for awards.
Pick your times and you may get some time with the best of the best.
Enjoy,as you may never have a better chance to be at a comp.
Thanks Tom.
I'll print your post out and refer to it in January.
I'll print your post out and refer to it in January.