To date I have been pretty quiet publicly on some of these rules issues, preferring to deal with them via PM or not at all.
Much to Clint's credit he has asked qustions about the rules, and as a result has been made to feel like a bad guy, and been labelled a whiner.
Having now officially received the rules for the grilling competition, I am more confused than ever.
I, and I’m sure many others as well, appreciate everything that has been and is being done with Battle of the BBQ Brethren.
But there were a reasonably clear set of rules for the grilling competition on the competition’s website. They covered what, times, and how to submit all entries. These are the rules that everyone to date has entered the competition under, as they were the only official rules on the competition site.
I understand that within the document it states:
“This document is subject to modification and change.
All teams will be notified of changes to the event via email.”
One concern that I have is that there is confusion being created by these changes in turn-in procedure, times, and judging, that have the potential to outweigh the benefits that are sought to be achieved by bringing out creativity and flair.
Another concern is that I generally don’t like rules that change after I have thrown my money into the pot, so to speak, and I'm sure others feel the same way too. I think it can potentially create a situation that calls into question the integrity of the event. I am sure that the changes are being made for the best of reasons, and I am not questioning your integrity, but there is a potential some to think that it is done to favor someone.
If the rules are set and never change, there is no questioning. The rules are what they are, and that’s it. However when the rules change after the fact, is the basis for the rule change beyond reproach? It’s just something to consider for the sake of the Brethren name that is attached to the competition.
Now, on to issues with the newly issued rules, as copied and pasted below (red highlightng on text added).
--This document replaces the Grilling page of the competitors application—
Saturday, 10/25/08
Battle of the BBQ Brethren
Grilling
Meat Inspection: 8:00 am ongoing
Cooks Meeting: 9:00 am
Judges Meeting
A) Sign In: 10:45 am
B) Attendance: Teams are invited to send a (singular) representative to the meeting.
Categories and Turn-Ins
A) 12:00 pm Fatty
1) A Fatty is defined as a chub of ground meat(s) cooked whole with a minimum single weight of 1 pound. Must be cooked from raw. Multiple chubs or over-sized chubs may be cooked. Open stuffing and open garnish in a 9x9 box. A minimum of 6 slices must be visible. No individually cooked smaller links (under 16oz). No cased sausages. No precooked, No pre-smoked.
2) Details on Fatties can be found here:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showpost.php?p=121385&postcount=11
3) Garnish is open.
B) 12:30 pm Pizza
1) We will have pizza boxes available for the competitors use.
2) Pizza dough does not need to be made on-site.
3) Each entry must be a minimum of six (6) separate slices or six (6) individual pizzas.
4) Precooked toppings will be allowed on the pizza.
5) No garnish is allowed with this category.
C) 1:00 pm Hot Dog
1) Hot Dogs will be provided by Sabrett.
a) There will be an array of styles and condiments to choose from.
2) This category will NOT count towards the overall ranking and is not mandatory.
3) Aside from the use of the Hot Dogs, everything else is up to the competitor. This category is open with no restriction on form (ie. pigs in a blanket, franks and beans, Hot Dogs in buns, etc.).
4) Hot Dogs will be presented in a standard 9*9 styrofoam box.
D) 3:00 pm on Iron Choice and Dessert
1) During the Cooks Meeting teams will be given a time in which a group of 6 judges and a table captain will be at their site for presentation of Iron Choice and Dessert.
2) Competitors at the Cooks Meeting will be given an ingredient that must be included in their Iron Choice presentation.
3) Showmanship, although encouraged, is not required and will not affect your score.
4) As long as it is non-alcoholic, drinks may be served to the judges. If you prefer not to have drinks available, water will be supplied for the judges by the organizers. Please let us know of your decision.
5) Teams may present the Iron Choice and Dessert ‘family style’ or on individual plates.
6) Teams will have 15 minutes in which to present their food to the judges. Table Captains will be on hand to ensure that the times are enforced.
7) Desserts must be cooked, assembled, prepared on site.
8 ) Iron Choice may have more than one component (ie. main dish and side dish).
9) There will be no conferring amongst judges. Comments by judges during judging regarding any competitor’s food or presentation will be strictly prohibited.
10) There are no restrictions on garnish, presentation or style with this category with the exception that all food prepared must utilize only wood, pellets or charcoal for heat sources with the exception of open flame propane/butane stoves.
11) Tableware will be provided for those that choose to use them.
12) It is asked that competition team members step away from the table to allow the judges privacy while scores are recorded.
E) Awards Ceremony times will be announced at cooks meeting.
F) KCBS Cooks meeting will follow the Grilling awards ceremony.
G) Heat sources for all categories are limited to wood, charcoal or pellets with the exception of open flame propane/butane stoves.
*Iron Choice is an amalgamation of Iron Chef and Chef’s Choice. You will be given one ingredient that must be included in your presentation.
"Chub": Are we now cooking fish or pork and other ground meats? A chub is a fresh water fish.
"We will have pizza boxes available for the competitors use.": I know it has been asked before, but what size is the pizza box? Other turn -ins have specific definition in this regard.
"No garnish is allowed with this category.": By the very definiton of garnish, toppings are a garnish also.
"will be given an ingredient that must be included in their Iron Choice presentation.": Can it just be included in the "presentation" as garnish or window dressing, or must it be part of the prepared dish?
"all food prepared must utilize only wood, pellets or charcoal for heat sources with the exception of open flame propane/butane" : As it currently reads, the rule is that "open flame propane/butane" is the exception, or a case to which the rule does not apply, to the "only wood, pellets or charcoal" rule, meaning that propane/butane is fine, but I guess and elecrtic hotplate or microwave would not be. Is it now the intent that propane and butane are permissible?
"It is asked that competition team members step away from the table to allow the judges privacy while scores are recorded." : OK, so it is "asked," but it is it required? If it is required, then just say so. If it is required, then how? Ten foot minimum with backs turned? Or perhaps just one giant step back?
To avoid confusion and misunderstanding, the rules neeed to be clear and concise. They were, but in an effort to bring out creativity have now become less clear and less concise.