Boxes from last competition

WOW those are some fine looking boxes, stay consistent with appearance. Dont know what they tasted like, but they look awesome. 9's across the board

I don't know how you got a 6 on that chicken.

That chicken is a solid 8.
Ribs are an 8, maybe a 9 in person.
Pork is an 8, that one piece in front detracts from the presentation.
Brisket is a 9 IMO. Love the look of it.

Someone here taught me that if you sauce the backside of the brisket, you get the flavor w/o the appearance of sauce.

These boxes look just fine to me too.
6 for appearance for the chicken is out of line too low.
Maybe some one had sand in their eyes out there in AZ.
You are on the right track, don't get discouraged.

wow.
Chicken-8
Ribs-9
Pork-8
Brisket-9

very well put together boxes, IMO.
the chicken may have benefitted from being dunked in sauce.
the pork looks nicely cooked.
ribs look great.
brisket flat looks like it MIGHT be a little tight, but can't really tell.
burnt ends look VERY appetizing.
nice work.

I'm no judge, but it all looks good to me. Congrats on your improving scores, too.

8
8
9
8

Very Nice Set!

Worry about taste and tenderness scores, before you worry about appearance. That is my suggestion for new teams.... Especially after seeing your appearance scores.

Scottie

Ribs, pork and brisket all look awesome. I'd be happy to turn any of that in. Chicken still looks good, just not quite as good as the rest. Really nice job!

My opinion, for what it's worth:
Chicken 7
Ribs 8
Pork 8
Brisket 9
Overall, a very nice job!

Scottie said:

Worry about taste and tenderness scores, before you worry about appearance. That is my suggestion for new teams.... Especially after seeing your appearance scores.

Scottie

Click to expand...

I agree, with the appearance scores and overall scores you listed, it looks like you got hammered in taste and tenderness.

I couldn't agree more with Scottie. Forget about your apperance because you got it pretty much dialed. Tighten up your taste and tenderness (if you haven't already) and you are right there with the best of them.

Nice boxes right there. That low chicken score was way out of line. Did they even give you a comment card?

The chicken might have been low due to not having skin. If a judge doesn't see skin they think you screwed up and had to go skinless. And it sounds like they would have been right in that assumption. Looks good. A 3 is pretty low though, snobby judge maybe who took the skin thing a little too serious. Those ribs are dy-no-mite!

What comp was that from? The boxes look solid. Chicken could use a bit more sauce or at least a nice even coat of sauce. Do you brush or dip? I think dipping gives a solid even coat, but if you have a good brush you can get the same result.

FWIW, I am in KC, so I can only give you opinions based on my locale.

1. Scottie is right. Taste and tenderness were down so work on that.

2. I understand that as a judge, they "eat with their eyes first" and therefore may not give the biggest taste and texture scores that they would if they like the appearance, so, since you asked, I will nitpick a bit.... (Believe me, I am nitpicking)

Chicken:
Butt them up together. Flats together, bones out. put more parsely in the box so that there is a nice green frame all around. Judges should not be judging skin, though it is probably a natural tendency. Work on what you can work on and do not worry about the rest.

Ribs
I think they are beautiful, but a bit dry looking. I would use a bit more sauce and make sure to spray with apple juice just before closing the box.

Pork
Same as ribs. In KC, I would sauce and shine them more. As far as the chunks, if you are gonna chunk then chunk, if you are gonna pull then pull. Personally I do not like the look of small niblets.

Brisket:
Hmmm. I am no expert, but the flat looks dry and not exciting. Find a way to spray, dip or something to give it a bit more moisture. Burnt ends: I believe I need to sample them in person, so please send me some.



Overall, keep it up. Nice job. That score on chicken was ridiculous, do not let it get you down. These boxes look a hell of a lot better than some I have seen while judging.