Judge Before Competition? - Page 2

thesemicullen · 05-28-2015, 07:14 AM

Speaking as just a judge, my opinion is certainly biased, but I think the judging class - more importantly, judging - will do nothing but help you. That said, I have cook team friends who do pretty well and have never been to a judging class, so I don't think it's necessary.

The thing about judging a comp is that after you judge a category, you can talk to you fellow judges about what they scored their entries and why they scored them that way. Learning the process is one thing, but being able to discuss entries and scoring in the moment is invaluable. It makes better judges, and I can only assume it would be good for cooks.

DR · 05-28-2015, 07:41 AM

I liked the judging class mainly because it showed me its not as easy to judge as most people think.

bbq.tom · 05-28-2015, 08:08 AM

I totally agree with Ed (ModelMaker) - I was a CBJ (with a couple different organizations) and had judged several contests before I competed the first time. I felt that I knew what would do good in the judging tent and tried to turn in entries that matched that criteria. ALSO, I strongly suggest that new teams take a look at BBQCritic.com to see LOTS of different boxes, not so much to see what the on-line judges scored the boxes (ALL over the place), but to read the comments and glean ideas of what judges think looks good/bad.

If you don't have an idea as to what wins, then you are going into the competition with as much chance of winning as playing the lottery! LUCK!

kenthanson · 05-28-2015, 08:44 AM

Two people have mentioned either a tell all class $$$$ or lots of practice cooks $$$$ but a cbj class is so much less of a cost then those and it will help you know what the judges are looking for. You can just jump right in and go and that's fine but if you have the opportunity to take a class and you pass it up then I think that is an unused resource.

timzcardz · 05-28-2015, 09:18 AM

BBQ really isn't rocket surgery. Don't try to make it too complicated.

If you want to compete, then compete.

If you want to judge, then judge.

One isn't dependent upon the other.

Captain Porkard · 05-28-2015, 09:30 AM

I think taking a judging class is a great way to learn! We took one after doing 2 comps and I've judged once. My wife has helped out at a few comps and is actually getting trained to run a comp now. All the members of our team went to the class and it has helped out immensely!

05-28-2015, 07:14 AM	#16
thesemicullen Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-23-14 Location: Memphis, TN	Speaking as just a judge, my opinion is certainly biased, but I think the judging class - more importantly, judging - will do nothing but help you. That said, I have cook team friends who do pretty well and have never been to a judging class, so I don't think it's necessary. The thing about judging a comp is that after you judge a category, you can talk to you fellow judges about what they scored their entries and why they scored them that way. Learning the process is one thing, but being able to discuss entries and scoring in the moment is invaluable. It makes better judges, and I can only assume it would be good for cooks. __________________ KCBS Master CBJ, 18.5" WSM, "big a** grill," other stuff, heavy appetite

05-28-2015, 07:41 AM	#17
DR Take a breath! Join Date: 06-06-14 Location: Tomball, Texas	I liked the judging class mainly because it showed me its not as easy to judge as most people think. __________________ HELL YEAH BBQ, COMPETITION TEAM….KCBS Certified Judge….Jambo Enclosed

05-28-2015, 08:08 AM	#18
bbq.tom is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-23-10 Location: Hillsborough, NC (UNC "TarHeel" country!)	I totally agree with Ed (ModelMaker) - I was a CBJ (with a couple different organizations) and had judged several contests before I competed the first time. I felt that I knew what would do good in the judging tent and tried to turn in entries that matched that criteria. ALSO, I strongly suggest that new teams take a look at BBQCritic.com to see LOTS of different boxes, not so much to see what the on-line judges scored the boxes (ALL over the place), but to read the comments and glean ideas of what judges think looks good/bad. If you don't have an idea as to what wins, then you are going into the competition with as much chance of winning as playing the lottery! LUCK! __________________ [COLOR=black][B]TOM[/B][/COLOR] [SIZE=1][COLOR=sienna]Emergency REP - KCBS[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=1][COLOR=sienna]CMJ - KCBS (100+ club) & Carolina BBQ League (NCBBQA)[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=1][COLOR=#a0522d]CBJ - MBN, NCBS, NCPC, SBN[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=1][COLOR=#a0522d]CTC - KCBS[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=1][COLOR=#a0522d]4 Lil' Pigs Competition BBQ Team[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=1][COLOR=#a0522d]270-Sumo, LANG, BDS, & Holland Epic[/COLOR][/SIZE]

05-28-2015, 08:44 AM	#19
kenthanson is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-10-11 Location: Saskatoon, SK	Two people have mentioned either a tell all class $$$$ or lots of practice cooks $$$$ but a cbj class is so much less of a cost then those and it will help you know what the judges are looking for. You can just jump right in and go and that's fine but if you have the opportunity to take a class and you pass it up then I think that is an unused resource. __________________ @kenthanson @devilmademeqit Devil made me Q it BBQ team

05-28-2015, 09:18 AM	#20
timzcardz Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-22-05 Location: Long Island, NY	BBQ really isn't rocket surgery. Don't try to make it too complicated. If you want to compete, then compete. If you want to judge, then judge. One isn't dependent upon the other. __________________ GRIM REAPER SMOKERS - "BBQ To Die For" ™ "Founders Club" Operation BBQ Relief Weber Smokey Mountain x 3 Weber Genesis Silver x 2 Weber One Touch Gold Weber Performer x 2 Weber Smokey Joe Bottle of Absolut Bottle of Beer Everything Ripken, "Cards and Que. One tastes of cardboard, the other sweet blue." ©

05-28-2015, 09:30 AM	#21
Captain Porkard Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 03-26-15 Location: St. Louis	I think taking a judging class is a great way to learn! We took one after doing 2 comps and I've judged once. My wife has helped out at a few comps and is actually getting trained to run a comp now. All the members of our team went to the class and it has helped out immensely!