nmayeux
Babbling Farker
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2005
- Location
- Marietta...
Ok... I finally judged my first contest this weekend at the Sam's Club contest in Marietta, GA. I knew that I was going to learn from the experience, but I had no idea how much fun it was going to be, or the wealth of knowledge that was at hand. Thanks to Dave of Uncle Bud's BBQ for mentoring, and thanks to all the experienced judges that spent time with me.
A couple of lessons learned:
1. Mistakes are really apparent, especially in presentation.
2. You can really taste bitter smoke. I was surprised as to the difference in flavors.
3. Judges are a whole different breed. Most of the judges that I met had never cooked in competition, and had a completely different view of the entries compared to my views.
4. Judging will help any cook, and cooking will help any judge. I am now a firm believer, and happy with the proposed cook requirements for Master Judges.
5. I am now comfortable that judges are as concerned as competitors about accurate judging. It is heartwarming to know the level of accountablility that the judges I met assume. They weren't just there to eat.
I enjoyed going to a contest and not having the stress of being a cook, but I did have the nagging feeling that I should have been competing... Anyway, I am looking forward to my next contest, be it judging or competing.
A couple of lessons learned:
1. Mistakes are really apparent, especially in presentation.
2. You can really taste bitter smoke. I was surprised as to the difference in flavors.
3. Judges are a whole different breed. Most of the judges that I met had never cooked in competition, and had a completely different view of the entries compared to my views.
4. Judging will help any cook, and cooking will help any judge. I am now a firm believer, and happy with the proposed cook requirements for Master Judges.
5. I am now comfortable that judges are as concerned as competitors about accurate judging. It is heartwarming to know the level of accountablility that the judges I met assume. They weren't just there to eat.
I enjoyed going to a contest and not having the stress of being a cook, but I did have the nagging feeling that I should have been competing... Anyway, I am looking forward to my next contest, be it judging or competing.