There have been couple of guys sjpeculating that Rub, Forrest, etc are winning because the reps/judges are cheating for them.
Simply not so.
#1.
We are blessed with board members who are active and talented cooks also.
Let me use Rub as an example since he is the defending and current TOTY leader and the FBA president.
Rub goes to the Jack this year and takes 1st place pork and 1st place brisket.
In 2008 he goes to the Best of the Best in Douglas and wins the Open and takes 3rd in the Invite.
In 2007 he goes to the Best of the Best in Douglas and wins 3rd in the Invite and 4th in the Open
He is always among the top at KCBS contests.
I'll betcha none of the judges or reps were impressed with his FBA office. :lol:
#2.
As to the name on the boxes--yes there is a sticker with team name and number on each box.
That is so the REPS can distrubute them accurately.
At the turn-in table that sticker is removed and one put on that only has a new number, no name. This is not the same number as the origonal one on the box.
The reps then assure that each team goes onto different tables for each catagory, as long as there are 4 or more tables.
It is quite a process and was demonstrated to us at the Lake City contest.
Yes it costs a ton of money to compete.
No, the judging is not rigged.
Hope this helps.
TIM