Carlyle, if you would have been at the contest and experienced the whole event, you would believe me when I say that the comments above were kind to the organizers. I had considered not returning next year even before the contest started due to extremely poor communication with the organizer, but after cooking the weekend observing the sanitary conditions, experiencing the poor service, and seeing the especially the low percentage of CBJ's, I will not be returning!
As for the contest's reputation, I think they lived up to it - I hear the same feedback every year (at least this year they handed out the score sheets). I have not seen one comment that has been untrue or out of line. The only thing this contest can do for their reputation is try harder. Even under new "management" for the last couple year's, their reputation has not improved.
I can do a St. Paddy's day practice cook at home and save the frustration and entry fee. However if I see a pledge from the organizer next year that they will treat us like professionals and provide at least 90% CBJ's, I might reconsider, but at this point I don't see that happening.
