Simple noob question?

[Boat-n-BBQ]

Hey all,

I’m a noob that’s trying hard to get my act together for my 1st comp. I have read the KCBS rules, but they don’t answer my questions. I have two questions about the food inspection upon arrival. Any assistance would really be appreciated.
1. I know we can’t season or treat the meat, but can we trim and prep? The chicken is my main concern. I’d really like to do all that trim work before we get there.
2. I read some of Dr BBQ’s older brisket posts and I’m trying his 50 day wet aging process in our 2nd refrigerator. If I show up with a brisket 6 weeks past the sell date will they pass it?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Boat

[Capn Kev]

Yes you can pre-trim, but make sure you save the original packaging to prove where the meat came from.

Also, yes, you can wet-age your brisket past the "sell-by" date. I suggest having a spare brisket, just in case your aging process goes awry. <---you'll know when you open and smell it.

[CivilWarBBQ]

No KCBS meat inspector in Georgia should ever ask to see labels. I've heard stories of this from other parts of the country and sanctioning bodies, but since Fred Gould directly or indirectly trained just about every meat inspector in Dixie you won't see it here.

As C K says, go ahead and trim. As long as you don't season in any way and keep your meat on ice you are good to go.

[KC_Bobby]

50 days? Ya might want to have another 30-35 day packer on standby. 50 days is a bit more of a push then I'd risk without having another.

My team is my brother and I - I'm in charge of chicken and pork. I always make sure I have my chicken trimmed before I leave the house. I don't mind trimming the pork butts on sight as they go fast.

If I cooked all 4 meats personally, I'd have chicken and briskets trimmed before leaving the house. Ribs - if doing spares, I'd definitely have them trimmed to St. Louis cut. Babys - might depend event to event based on time.

[watertowerbbq]

The more trimming you can do at home, the easier it will be for you. It's always easier to do it in your kitchen than it is standing in a parking lot or a field under a pop-up canopy, especially if mother nature doesn't cooperate.

[Boat-n-BBQ]

Originally Posted by watertowerbbq

The more trimming you can do at home, the easier it will be for you. It's always easier to do it in your kitchen than it is standing in a parking lot or a field under a pop-up canopy, especially if mother nature doesn't cooperate.

Yes, this is the exact reason for my question! Being new to the process I want to keep the on site work to a minimum and focus on only what is necessary.

Matt, KC Bobby, CivilWar and Kev thanks all for your responses!

Boat