I agree with the Kap'n. There's no practical reason for a mandatory comp cook to be qualified as a judge. Even though there's a lot of behind the scenes action that many are unaware of.
Here's something to consider: KCBS is a growing organization. The more people who take the class and become certified, the more qualified people we have sitting at the tables. The higher and more costly barrier to become certified, the less people there will be willing to make the investment in time and money.
I think its funny how the judges get blamed all the time. When my wife and I became KCBC CBJs, we were there only to learn the criteria. At the end of the class, we were told that ONE person prepared all the entries, and they were all the same. WOW! The numbers were all over the place?!?!
From that moment forward, I realized that there is a framework in place, but in the end it is very subjective to what that person thinks when that piece of meat is in their mouth. Our focus really became centered around OUR performance, and doing the best that WE can. That way, there's nothing to feel bad about in the end. Scores be damned.
I believe that the KCBS Double Blind Judging is the most fair and reliable method of judging today. Not to say its perfect either, but I trust it completely.
Recently, there was some friction on my team regarding our performance at a contest. We didn't get any calls, and after getting the score sheet, some of my teammates began mother farking the judges. I told them to cool it. We all tasted and agreed on the turn ins. We all had confidence in our choices. The judges didn't feel the same way, and thats okay. We had a good time, and as always learned some things.
I think that the teams who stand on the top of the podium consistently, know exactly how to COOK their entries from start to finish, and can do it no matter the weather, alignment of stars, or level of intoxication. Which shifts the responsibility back to the cooks.
I've seen a couple teams win many times. Their entries aren't being judged by the same judges, who's to say which judge is certified, and which is not. See what I mean? The Top teams know their stuff, and they are consistent.
Anyone who doesn't have faith in any competitive rule book, shouldn't be involved. Period.
The article was a little lackluster. No mention of the entries was diappointing. Maybe he wasn't comfortable sharing his thoughts on what was judged, or maybe he thought that this information was proprietary. Who knows, we'll just have to speculate.