Contest Etiquette

[Big Poppa]

Hey Guys it was me. Johnny asked for help...he just couldnt cook the day before. Trish tried...they needed help. But I really apologize if I offended these people. I love the internet because there are two sides here and here is mine.

I didn't act as anything but Johnny's friend. I was not and never have been a rent a cop. I would never stop someone from taking a picture of anyone at a comp from a FRONT view. The pic I stopped was a shot from behind and at the side while Johnny was foiling his ribs. I was polite and said that this photo was probably not the best choice and not the appropriate time. I went on to explain that Johnny couldn't stop as the day before was really hard. I also said that Johnny would be happy to pose for pics after turn in.

In the court of the brethren I believe that the photo wasnt the question it was the timing and choice of angle of the shot

By the way Johnny thanked me for how I handled it.

I am truly sorry if I offended you or your wife. I would not have said anything at all if you weren't taking a shot that showed what Johnny was doing.

 

[bbqbandit70]

That was my main reason for posting i did not feel like i did anything wrong I know people see things different. I did not think about the angle and the thought of catching his technique. My wife was more interested in the smoker. With that explanation if I did take it wrong I do apologize. All the people I have ever met have always been great. I walked away quickly because I did not want to interrupt his work and get him out of his game. With this I hope it can be done with and all can look forward to our next comps. Live and learn.

 

[dhuffjr]

Me myself, I sure hope that one day people will come bother me while I am cooking at the American Royal Invitational. Even more, I hope they know who I am when they come bother me. :becky:

Ditto :becky:

 

[Bigmista]

Whew! Glad that was settled.

 

[JD McGee]

Whew! Glad that was settled.

Same here brother...there's always a flipside to every story...btw...what are you and Sterling doing in a couple of weeks? Rhana and I can use a good runner and blocker for the Jack...lol!

Ya know...what may be innocent pic snapping by fans at comps can also be mistaken for shigging by the comp team...especially when zoom lenses during turn ins are noticed...good on ya Sterling for having Johnny's back!

 

[nthole]

So you're saying I SHOULDN'T go to the Royal next year with a telescope size zoom lens, walking around the with a shifty look and accidentally crawling on top of people's trailers to get a better look?

:wink:

Johnny will be cooking in St. Louis this weekend. I can't wait to see him, hope to get to meet him...will definitely stay away from his boot!

 

[Big Poppa]

I think we are all good....I think his wife still hates me but maybe a box of chocolates or a bag of mistas pig candy may repair the wounds!

Any of these things are good and shows the class of the op....Secretly I was upset she wasnt taking pics of my new glasses

 

[Plowboy]

Sounds like a whole lot of misunderstanding. Like someone said, 10am is an insane time at BBQ competitions. But 10am on Sunday of the American Royal is worse. People are fried no matter how they did the day before. Sometimes what we say and what we hear are both affected. Hopefully, this is cleared up. Knowing that Sterling and Johnny had just spent 72 hours in a parking lot cooking, I'd probably give them the benefit of the doubt even if I felt the approach could have been less terse. I'm not saying anyone was more wrong or more right here, but there are multiple perspectives to choose from.

The Royal is unlike any other competition. It is two monsters rolled up into one huge weekend. There are two aspects that make it unique to almost all other contests: size and "the turn". Even I had my "blockers' during key times throughout the weekend. You have so many people to visit with that it can become a distraction to actually cooking. Hopefully, we didn't offend anyone, but I can't say for sure. For the most part, people understand. "The Turn" is the other crazy part of the weekend. For those cooking both the invitational and open, closing out one contest while preparing for the next is a major challenge. To focus when you are dog tired can be a big challenge. However, "The Turn" is a significant part of the fun. There are other back to back contests out there, but none where you have 500 teams on the second day working for one of the biggest prizes in BBQ.

I love the Royal, but am glad it only comes once a year.

 

[Matt_A]

As a newly trained CBJ, you should have been very aware of the rule that judges not fraternize with the teams on turn-in day. There are many people that read that as not entering the cooking site at all. In fact I heard a contest rep say specifically that at a recent contest. It all comes down to how others perceive your actions. Personally I don't see how "fraternization" can have any significant impact on a double-blind judging contest. But somebody saw a need for the rule. Unless you were talking to cooks during your tour that morning, I don't see any issue.

As for the "Self-Appointed Security Guard" my response would probably have been drastically different from yours, but that's just my personality. I would have introduced myself to the self-import person and relentlessly, but politely interrogated him about his authority to interfere with the activities of a private citizen at a public event.

 

[Pappy Q]

I'm sure he did not care that we took pictures from a distance and for less then a minute it was just the other competitor trying to be a hero. He could have said a lot of other things that would not have been a problem but he was nasty and that's where I have the problem.

If you don't blame the "Legend" and say it was another competitor trying to show off, then call that guy out but don't disrespect Trigg. He has done more good for BBQ than about anyone. Your making a big deal out of nothing cause you got your feelings hurt. Get over it.

 

[Plowboy]

As a newly trained CBJ, you should have been very aware of the rule that judges not fraternize with the teams on turn-in day. There are many people that read that as not entering the cooking site at all. In fact I heard a contest rep say specifically that at a recent contest. It all comes down to how others perceive your actions. Personally I don't see how "fraternization" can have any significant impact on a double-blind judging contest. But somebody saw a need for the rule. Unless you were talking to cooks during your tour that morning, I don't see any issue.

As for the "Self-Appointed Security Guard" my response would probably have been drastically different from yours, but that's just my personality. I would have introduced myself to the self-import person and relentlessly, but politely interrogated him about his authority to interfere with the activities of a private citizen at a public event.

He didn't say he was fraternizing. He was walking around taking pictures. This is "legal", but I wish judges wouldn't leave the area on turn in mornings. If they saw one of their favorite teams cooking leg quarters or spare ribs instead of baby back ribs, could that influence their scores. Best to avoid that kind of speculation. But again, they weren't doing anything wrong from a judging rules perspective.

If you don't blame the "Legend" and say it was another competitor trying to show off, then call that guy out but don't disrespect Trigg. He has done more good for BBQ than about anyone. Your making a big deal out of nothing cause you got your feelings hurt. Get over it.

Let's all leave the torches and pitch forks in the shed. Escalating this won't make it better.

 

[Matt_A]

Plowboy.. did you miss... "Unless you were talking to cooks during your tour that morning, I don't see any issue."??

 

[bover]

Well, the double blind judging isn't quite so double blind once you've been around awhile. If they're only switching the first digit of the team number, an unscrupulous judge could favor a team if they knew the original number and happened to have that entry cross their table. Until a more random number re-assignment method is developed and enforced, I don't think judges should be in the contest area at all...especially on turn-in day.

 

[Plowboy]

Plowboy.. did you miss... "Unless you were talking to cooks during your tour that morning, I don't see any issue."??

I did. Sorry, bro. :icon_blush:

 

[Matt_A]

Well, the double blind judging isn't quite so double blind once you've been around awhile. If they're only switching the first digit of the team number, an unscrupulous judge could favor a team if they knew the original number and happened to have that entry cross their table. Until a more random number re-assignment method is developed and enforced, I don't think judges should be in the contest area at all...especially on turn-in day.

THREAD HIJACK IN PROGRESS!!!!

I think that this "favoritism" is a non-issue that has been blown way out of proportion. In a properly run event, you'll only see a particular team's box for one category. On top of that you have a pretty small chance of seeing your particular "favorite team"'s turn-in. The chances of affecting the outcome of a single category, much less the overall standings is statistically insignificant. Your score as a judge is only 20% of the score for your table for that category.

That being said. I honor the rule, even though I disagree with it.

HIJACK OVER. I'm not posting on judging in this thread anymore. :tsk:

 

[Scottie]

Well don't tell half the story, who is the legend?

Wasnt me... :shock:

 

[Jorge]

Plowboy.. did you miss... "Unless you were talking to cooks during your tour that morning, I don't see any issue."??

Plowboy pointed out a potential issue that could violate the integrity of the process.

 

[Scottie]

I think we are all good....I think his wife still hates me but maybe a box of chocolates or a bag of mistas pig candy may repair the wounds!

Any of these things are good and shows the class of the op....Secretly I was upset she wasnt taking pics of my new glasses

New glasses?? Figures... i finally get mine that match yours and you get new ones? WTF... :becky:

I thought that is why you have 'people' Sterling?:thumb:

In all seriousness. Good for you Sterling. Johnny is the man and id go through a wall for Trish. My girls just love them death. I would have done the exact s:shock:ame thing.

 

[Big Poppa]

Uh oh..... Scottie would have done what i did?????? hahahahahah Everybody relax we are all good and the original poster and I have exchanged pm's....I think its good...I truly believe that the photo op was innocent but having a pic of johnny with his cooker that matches his bottle he wsa holding would be like snapping the Johnny Cash finger picture.....Im just sayin.

But seriously the people that were there are finenow.... I called Johnny and thanked him for getting me in trouble...I told him it wasnt 1991 anymore and that he cant set up without an easy up in the middle of the aisle! We tried to move his cooker all weekend. Has anyone ever told you that Mr. Trigg can be a tad stubborn?

Please if possible can we just have fun?

Johnny was bragging to all he talked to saying he has a billionaire for security...I corrected him I am a thousandaire.

 

[Plowboy]

Uh oh..... Scottie would have done what i did?????? hahahahahah Everybody relax we are all good and the original poster and I have exchanged pm's....I think its good...I truly believe that the photo op was innocent but having a pic of johnny with his cooker that matches his bottle he wsa holding would be like snapping the Johnny Cash finger picture.....Im just sayin.

But seriously the people that were there are finenow.... I called Johnny and thanked him for getting me in trouble...I told him it wasnt 1991 anymore and that he cant set up without an easy up in the middle of the aisle! We tried to move his cooker all weekend. Has anyone ever told you that Mr. Trigg can be a tad stubborn?

Please if possible can we just have fun?

Johnny was bragging to all he talked to saying he has a billionaire for security...I corrected him I am a thousandaire.

I'm a hundredaire. Just one though.