Q for judges: Can meat be too shiny?

Lake Dogs · 04-14-2010, 08:09 AM

We talk a bit about making the meat shine. I'll agree, to a degree,
a little glisten/shine looks more appetizing (to me) than just a flat
finish. However, question:

Can it be too shiny?

I saw a few pictures (haven't seen this come across the table yet)
a little while back where the meat was so shiny it looked... fake is
the only word I know. Honestly, to me, it wasn't appetizing. The
shine, in this case, if it came across the table like that, would've
actually taken away a point. It really looked.... I'm trying to find
the words... It didn't look like BBQ. There. I dont know what it
did look like, but the look wasn't BBQ. To me, not judging the "what
looks like BBQ", but taking simply "is it appetizing", the answer in
my mind was that "it was a turn-off; Unappetizing". For that matter,
it was IMHO gross; maybe 2 points off.

Jeff_in_KC · 04-14-2010, 08:18 AM

I'm not sure because I've never gotten mine too shiney, although I've tried. I guess I just can't imagine something with so much shine that it was not appetizing.

Alexa RnQ · 04-14-2010, 08:44 AM

I have seen photos where the meat looked like a plastic window display!

BUT
the operative word there is photo -- lots of variables there, including ambient light and flash, that have no bearing on how the box looks *in real life*, in the dimmer light of the judging tent.

BRBBQ · 04-14-2010, 09:28 AM

I think your making referance to the brisket posted down a few pages, which I can't find now, but it had a shine like a new car all buffed out, at 1st I thought the same, man thats shiny, now I think it looks cool. As I remember that shiny brisket took 1st place.

Divemaster · 04-14-2010, 09:35 AM

I agree, yes, it can be to shinny...

Generally I see this happen when the sauce hasn't really set. It was just put on last minute and to me as well this is a bit of a turn-off. I also agree with Diva in that it could be a flash on the photo and I don't judge enough to see it come across a table.

When I sauce my meats, I like to get a 'semi-gloss' finish. To glossy, looks fake, not enough gloss and it looks dry... I like to be some where in between...

Lake Dogs · 04-14-2010, 10:48 AM

Diva hit a better description; the shinny plastic window display... Thanks, I guess
that answered my question. I'm not too far off. I like/prefer a nice semi-gloss as
does Divemaster; could err a little more shine.

I haven't seen the shinny beyond all imagination come across a table. Probably a
result of the flash / lighting, but also possible it self-remedied after 10 or so minutes
of turn-in wait...

Thanks.

04-14-2010, 08:09 AM	#1
Lake Dogs Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-14-09 Location: Lake Sinclair, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Q for judges: Can meat be too shiny? We talk a bit about making the meat shine. I'll agree, to a degree, a little glisten/shine looks more appetizing (to me) than just a flat finish. However, question: Can it be too shiny? I saw a few pictures (haven't seen this come across the table yet) a little while back where the meat was so shiny it looked... fake is the only word I know. Honestly, to me, it wasn't appetizing. The shine, in this case, if it came across the table like that, would've actually taken away a point. It really looked.... I'm trying to find the words... It didn't look like BBQ. There. I dont know what it did look like, but the look wasn't BBQ. To me, not judging the "what looks like BBQ", but taking simply "is it appetizing", the answer in my mind was that "it was a turn-off; Unappetizing". For that matter, it was IMHO gross; maybe 2 points off. __________________ Hance - Lake Dogs Cooking Team - MiM/MBN/GBA CBJ and comp cook

04-14-2010, 08:18 AM	#2
Jeff_in_KC somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-04-05 Location: Pleasant Hill, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm not sure because I've never gotten mine too shiney, although I've tried. I guess I just can't imagine something with so much shine that it was not appetizing. __________________ Big Creek BBQ Competition Team KCBS Member and CBJ #14287 Contest Organizer - Smokin' on Big Creek Co-Founder and Executive Director Operation BBQ Relief, Inc. Visit us at Operation BBQ Relief dot org

04-14-2010, 08:44 AM	#3
Alexa RnQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-12-07 Location: the Ninth Ring of Hell, cleverly disguised as Phoenix Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have seen photos where the meat looked like a plastic window display! BUT the operative word there is photo -- lots of variables there, including ambient light and flash, that have no bearing on how the box looks in real life, in the dimmer light of the judging tent. __________________ . . Don't practice until you get it right; practice until you can't get it wrong. Don't overthink or undercook. Rhythm 'n QUE

04-14-2010, 09:35 AM	#5
Divemaster somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 09-23-07 Location: North Side of Chicago Illinois Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I agree, yes, it can be to shinny... Generally I see this happen when the sauce hasn't really set. It was just put on last minute and to me as well this is a bit of a turn-off. I also agree with Diva in that it could be a flash on the photo and I don't judge enough to see it come across a table. When I sauce my meats, I like to get a 'semi-gloss' finish. To glossy, looks fake, not enough gloss and it looks dry... I like to be some where in between... __________________ Jeff CBJ# 23376 Stockcar BBQ Race Fast, Cook Slow, and Enjoy Life! If it don't come off a smoker, it's just a side dish! Lang 60 Patio (The Mistress), Black Stainless Lang 36 (Little Princess), Large BGE (Ramona), Big Green UDS (Cottage Cooker), Brinkman SnP Pro (Little Bubba-Retired), 8 Burner Gasser, 3 - 22.5" & 1 - 18" (circa 1975) Weber Grills, & a Weber Smoky Joe.

04-14-2010, 10:48 AM	#6
Lake Dogs Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-14-09 Location: Lake Sinclair, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Diva hit a better description; the shinny plastic window display... Thanks, I guess that answered my question. I'm not too far off. I like/prefer a nice semi-gloss as does Divemaster; could err a little more shine. I haven't seen the shinny beyond all imagination come across a table. Probably a result of the flash / lighting, but also possible it self-remedied after 10 or so minutes of turn-in wait... Thanks. __________________ Hance - Lake Dogs Cooking Team - MiM/MBN/GBA CBJ and comp cook

04-14-2010, 09:28 AM	#4
BRBBQ is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 06-05-08 Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think your making referance to the brisket posted down a few pages, which I can't find now, but it had a shine like a new car all buffed out, at 1st I thought the same, man thats shiny, now I think it looks cool. As I remember that shiny brisket took 1st place.

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