Calling KCBS Judges..

[Texas-Hunter]

I am looking for some information on how you judge..

Are they looking for....

• Taste (Region) (Personal)
• Texture
• Aroma
• Looks of the meat
• Heat
• Sweetness
• Sourness (Vinegar)
• Flavor
• Presentation of the box

I am sure I will think of a few others, but this will get my thinking going..

[wutang]

The 3 categories on the judges slip are Appearance, Taste, and Tenderness.

[wutang]

You mention heat, sourness, etc. Those would all fall under taste but obviously would change somewhat with regional differences. There are specific things in each category that would mean a disqualification. But a lot of it is subjective preferences based on some objective criteria.

[Texas-Hunter]

You mention heat, sourness, etc. Those would all fall under taste but obviously would change somewhat with regional differences. There are specific things in each category that would mean a disqualification. But a lot of it is subjective preferences based on some objective criteria.

Perfect... Now, let me ask where does personal preference come in??

[GOT14U]

That is the one thing that gets me...regions....You have to be able to change your taste profile for what region your in....I would hate to have to cook my bbq and make it sweet.

[wutang]

Perfect... Now, let me ask where does personal preference come in??

Personal preference would come in mainly in the taste category. If you happen to get a judge who really likes a ribs to be sweet and yours are spicy. Or if they want chicken to have some heat and your glaze has loads of brown sugar. Your score may be affected by that.

The tenderness category is fairly concrete. For example, if your ribs fall off the bone you get nailed for overdoneness.

[GOT14U]

I would say it's all preference except for tenderness category. even appearance is a personal opinion

[wutang]

I would say it's all preference except for tenderness category. even appearance is a personal opinion

True, what looks good to one person might not look as good to another. But there are things such as "pooling of sauce" or a illegal garnish that will nail you on appearance too.

[DDave]

But a lot of it is subjective preferences based on some objective criteria.

My hat is off to those of you who compete regularly and do well.

Pretty damn hard to hit a constantly moving target.

Dave

[Richtee]

Perfect... Now, let me ask where does personal preference come in??

theroretically, no where. There is supposed to be no preferences. Just like there's no such thing as a non-sweet rib.

[Fishawn]

I don't comp cook, but cook/smoke a lot at home for family, friends & some parties.... I would think it would be frustrating/difficult to try to aim your finished product towards something that personally you did not, or may not like, but in the eyes/mouths of the judges is something that they were "trained" to look for & they judge you accordingly to their training.....

I only keep mental notes really when smoking & grilling, but pretty good notes when mixing, making & smoking sausage.....

I would think with comp cooking, at least when starting out, you would really want to keep notes on what you were doing..... DETAILED NOTES...... Then, I would think when you got it "dialed in" for the judges tastes .... Just do your thing & let the chips fall where they may

[Crewdawg52]

When comp cooking, gotta remember, "I aint cookin fer me. I'm cookin for the judges". Cause I'm like Rich, the sauces that win ARE NOT what I use at home (unless I'm practicing).

But when judging, first thing I look for........ The required pieces. After that ........ Appearance. Then go from there. Anyway you look at it, it's a crap shoot. You can look at our scores from last year. We had scores in some categories ranging from 6 - 9 for the same meat. That's where the personal preferences and subjectivity of the judges comes into play (and lost GC by .004pts at Mt Morris last yr).

Wutang did a great job of showing an actual judging score sheet.

[Texas-Hunter]

I would say the KCBS is bogus if personal preference is allowed... If you are to judge fairly across the board they should have one set of rules no matter what area of the country you live in...

[Richtee]

I would say the KCBS is bogus if personal preference is allowed... If you are to judge fairly across the board they should have one set of rules no matter what area of the country you live in...

And it was explained to us as such. The "taste" category is more about the smoke, salt level... etc. more a "gross anatomy" than an minute "inspection". A sauce too sweet or too spicy or whatever should influence the scoring not at all.
Again...theoretically.

[Mikey]

I would say the KCBS is bogus if personal preference is allowed... If you are to judge fairly across the board they should have one set of rules no matter what area of the country you live in...

I would tend to agree, but there's no disputing the "human" factor. Everyone has their preferences, and it seems to me that it would be difficult at best to have 6 "judges" all agree...............
"theoretically"