This weekend, I traveled to Laurens, South Carolina to attend the KCBS Certified BBQ Judging class, and the Table Captain's class.
KCBS representatives taught the classes. They did a very good job. The BBQ was excellent, and I really enjoyed myself.
Here are some things I learned in the class that seem counter to some of the discussion in other threads here.
First, a judge cannot disqualify (DQ) an entry for any reason. Neither can a Table Captain. Only a KCBS representative (rep) can DQ an entry. And they usually prefer that 2 KCBS reps assess the situation and both agree that a violation occurred before they DQ an entry.
The process goes something like this: each judging table must contain 6 judges. In addition, a Table Captain (TC) is assigned to each table. During the course of judging, the TC opens boxes and allows each judge at the table to view the contents. And each judge is supposed to view in silence, with an expressionless face, and score the entry for appearance as if the entry is valid. No one is allowed to say anything until all 6 judges have written their score for appearance. Then and only then are the judges and the TC allowed to speak up to question the validity of the entry. And even if they think the entry may be invalid, all they can do is summon a KCBS rep, who handles the issue from there and makes all decisions about DQ.
Examples of invalid entries are any illegal objects in the box (foil, toothpick, pickle), illegal garnish, pooled sauce in the box, etc. Also, for turning in any rib meat that is not connected to bone. The instructor told us he recently had a friend turn in a beautiful rib box. All the ribs had bones attached, but the entry was DQ'ed because the cook also included some chopped rib meat to line the box. It was a pretty way to line the box, but it was illegal because some rib meat was turned in without the bone.
As Meathead pointed out in another thread, KCBS worries too much about garnish types. The class instructor said several times "it's all about judging the meat", but then launched into a 30-minute discussion on legal and illegal types of garnish.
KCBS representatives taught the classes. They did a very good job. The BBQ was excellent, and I really enjoyed myself.
Here are some things I learned in the class that seem counter to some of the discussion in other threads here.
First, a judge cannot disqualify (DQ) an entry for any reason. Neither can a Table Captain. Only a KCBS representative (rep) can DQ an entry. And they usually prefer that 2 KCBS reps assess the situation and both agree that a violation occurred before they DQ an entry.
The process goes something like this: each judging table must contain 6 judges. In addition, a Table Captain (TC) is assigned to each table. During the course of judging, the TC opens boxes and allows each judge at the table to view the contents. And each judge is supposed to view in silence, with an expressionless face, and score the entry for appearance as if the entry is valid. No one is allowed to say anything until all 6 judges have written their score for appearance. Then and only then are the judges and the TC allowed to speak up to question the validity of the entry. And even if they think the entry may be invalid, all they can do is summon a KCBS rep, who handles the issue from there and makes all decisions about DQ.
Examples of invalid entries are any illegal objects in the box (foil, toothpick, pickle), illegal garnish, pooled sauce in the box, etc. Also, for turning in any rib meat that is not connected to bone. The instructor told us he recently had a friend turn in a beautiful rib box. All the ribs had bones attached, but the entry was DQ'ed because the cook also included some chopped rib meat to line the box. It was a pretty way to line the box, but it was illegal because some rib meat was turned in without the bone.
As Meathead pointed out in another thread, KCBS worries too much about garnish types. The class instructor said several times "it's all about judging the meat", but then launched into a 30-minute discussion on legal and illegal types of garnish.
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