I've judged in a number of contests, most being MIM/MBN. From what I've seen, there
is a difference in MBN to KCBS. The KCBS judges do seem to expect it to be sweeter
than the MBN judges, perse. However, in MBN, I've noticed a trend. 5, 6, 7 years ago
more often than not the winning entry had no sauce, none whatsoever, and the rubs
had very little sugars in them. 3, 4, 5 years ago we started seeing a little sauce on
a few, and occasionally one would win, but not often. Now, almost all have sauce.
It's not as sweet, averages being averages, as the KCBS that I've seen. I'm not
certain as to why the difference. For that matter, it could be the teams (different
teams KCBS vs. MBN) perception vs. the judges... (meaning the teams think the
judges want sweet so they make it sweet)
Many judges are women. In my personal experience, women prefer something a little
sweeter than the average guy. Being as spicy can get either skunky or just too hot
for some people, working averages, better to go with a little sweet than spicy. Also,
you can take the same entries on the same day, move them to a different table and
get different scores. It ends up that we're working averages, trying not to offend
anyone, and yet trying to stand out in a good way. There's a fine line between
standing out in a good way and standing out in a bad way.
I learned a lesson a long time back cooking in a chili cookoff. I'd made an average-hot
chili that day; not bland, but not really hot, just a good old fashioned chili. In the scoring
I got all 8's and 9's, except for one person. I was knocked right out of first place
by one person; she gave me a 1. Apparently it was too hot for her personal taste.
Mind you, it did tick me off. I wondered why someone who doesn't like spicy food ends
up judging a chili contest! She hasn't been back, thankfully. My point to this is that
there is a delicate balance, and the wise competitor will work the averages from the
center (meaning, dont offend). The thing in my chili that got me the 9's also got
me the 1. I'd rather have those 9's be 8's and have the 1 be a 7... This same thing
applies to BBQ, regardless of sanctioning body. THANK GOODNESS for
KCBS throwing out the lowest score!!!!!
I wonder, pondering, if KCBS tracks which judge gets their score thrown out the most
(percentage wise) and doesn't ask those judges back. Sorry, dont mean to hijack a
thread.