Question for judges???

[Q-Dat]

When more than one type of sample is put in a box such as with Pork when pulled, chunks, and slices of Money Muscle are all placed in the box in equal amounts. Do the judges try each one, or do they select just one piece to taste? Or does it depend on the judge?

Just wondering. Thanks.

[BBQ_Mayor]

There are suppose to try each type that is put in the box. Make sure all our types/styles that you put in the box are of equal excellence.

[olewarthog]

Originally Posted by Q-Dat

When more than one type of sample is put in a box such as with Pork when pulled, chunks, and slices of Money Muscle are all placed in the box in equal amounts. Do the judges try each one, or do they select just one piece to taste? Or does it depend on the judge?

Just wondering. Thanks.

In GBA, judges are instructed to sample each type. When I serve as a table monitor, I remind my table of this.

[smokeyw]

I also asked in the judging class that I attended which one to score, for instance if you liked one sample type better than another. I was instructed to score the one that I liked the best. So it would definitely be to a cooks advantage to include more than one sample type if possible.

Originally Posted by BBQ_Mayor

There are suppose to try each type that is put in the box. Make sure all our types/styles that you put in the box are of equal excellence.

[Q-Dat]

Much appreciated answers guys. I suspected/hoped that this was the case. I believe I can get equally good samples of all three types on pork.

Now I just gotta work on getting sliced flat and "Burnt Ends" right at the same time!

[Lake Dogs]

I cant think of a sanctioning body off the top of my head that give judges a choice
where this is concerned. If it's presented, it's sampled/tried. Also, remember that
it's sampled/tried by every judge. If the body requires 5 pieces, make sure you have
at least 5 pieces of each thing. If 6, then minimum 6.

[gmholler]

Most judges don't know (or care) about what individual piece is what or how one type is supposed to be so much better than another - they go for what LOOKS GOOD - it's just human nature. Are they supposed to try each type? Yes. But sometimes there's not enough in the box for each judge to do that. And no one judge wants to get known as a "pig" that takes everything! Most of them are serious about what they're doing and don't try to make a meal at the expense of the cooks - they know they're there just to sample. Does it depend upon the judge? Lots of times, yes. Probably the best thing to do, if you want to have several types of meat in the box, make sure they ALL look good and there's enough for ALL to take a sample of each.

Lynn H.

[Bunny]

Originally Posted by smokeyw

I also asked in the judging class that I attended which one to score, for instance if you liked one sample type better than another. I was instructed to score the one that I liked the best. So it would definitely be to a cooks advantage to include more than one sample type if possible.

Whenever a cook enters more than one sample type for judges to try, judges are taught to try each as long as there is enough samples for all six judges. However, I've never been taught or taught a class that told someone to score the better piece. Different samples in an entry tray could either help or hurt and entry. I've heard judges comment that if they would have stopped at the first entry the score would have been better. But because the cooker put in all types of samples (sliced, chunked, etc) the judge takes all samples into consideration for a score. It also works the other way around. I know that a judge's score will go up if the second piece of sample was better than the first. Depends on the judge. They are to be taking the whole entry into consideration, not just one piece.

[ModelMaker]

In my neck of the woods, if you put several cuts in the box I will try each one. But you better make sure they are all up to snuff. If your big fat piece of pulled pork with tasty bark is supreme and you throw in some mushy money muscle.
IT"S GONNA COST YA!!!
Personal experience from team HART BURN.....
Ed

[smokeyw]

This was a very specific question and that was the answer. It is good to know however, that every judge has not been taught the same and is not on the same page with this.

Originally Posted by Bunny

Whenever a cook enters more than one sample type for judges to try, judges are taught to try each as long as there is enough samples for all six judges. However, I've never been taught or taught a class that told someone to score the better piece. Different samples in an entry tray could either help or hurt and entry. I've heard judges comment that if they would have stopped at the first entry the score would have been better. But because the cooker put in all types of samples (sliced, chunked, etc) the judge takes all samples into consideration for a score. It also works the other way around. I know that a judge's score will go up if the second piece of sample was better than the first. Depends on the judge. They are to be taking the whole entry into consideration, not just one piece.

[BRBBQ]

I try to sample every thing

[Bentley]

Originally Posted by Q-Dat

When more than one type of sample is put in a box such as with Pork when pulled, chunks, and slices of Money Muscle are all placed in the box in equal amounts. Do the judges try each one, or do they select just one piece to taste? Or does it depend on the judge?

Just wondering. Thanks.

I think it depends on the judge, I make no excuesses that if I err in judging I am going to err on the side of the team. I used to take all meat that was presented and if one piece was better then another I would judge according to that philosophy. In the lasts couple of years, KCBS reps have been advising judges that they should average the meat, and that is how I now do it. Not my 1st choice, but I try not to be a scofflaw!

[Pig Headed]

I was taught to sample each of the types turned in. If say the money muscle was great and the pulled was mediocre then you averaged them out for the score. If it's turned in and tasted, they're all scored not just the best sample.

[Rookie'48]

Originally Posted by smokeyw

I also asked in the judging class that I attended which one to score, for instance if you liked one sample type better than another. I was instructed to score the one that I liked the best. So it would definitely be to a cooks advantage to include more than one sample type if possible.

If that was a KCBS class then I think that your instructor needs to take a class! We're suppossed to judge the entry "as presented by the cook". To me that means that if you put it in the box you want me to judge it.

I've had Bunny as a cook, Rep and as a fellow judge at contests where I've judged and her feelings on this point are pretty well known .

ModelMaker knows this also.

[smokeyw]

Without calling names, this instructor was very well known and is well respected by all. He is a KCBS PHB. He emphasized looking for the very best barbecue instead of the worse. He said if you err, do so in favor of the cooks.

Originally Posted by Rookie'48

If that was a KCBS class then I think that your instructor needs to take a class! We're suppossed to judge the entry "as presented by the cook". To me that means that if you put it in the box you want me to judge it.

I've had Bunny as a cook, Rep and as a fellow judge at contests where I've judged and her feelings on this point are pretty well known .

ModelMaker knows this also.