Chicken Box

[HouseofSmoke]

This is my chicken turn in for Pigs, the only reason I used legs is because the thighs went flying when hubby tripped. I would like you thoughts on my box I was given an 8 what can I do to make it a 9

 

[Burnt at Both Endz]

Don't get caught up in the appearance score, just worry about making the taste score a 9!

 

[shypes]

Don't get caught up in the appearance score, just worry about making the taste score a 9!

Exactly this, you'll bang your head on the wall trying to understand how you can get 9s and 7s on the same box. If I were to offer an opinion though, make sure to wipe up any little sauce drops around the edge of your box if you didn't before turning in. Looks delicious!

 

[DUBBAGA]

Here are 2 things that I quickly see that could have possibly contributed to the 8 instead of 9 in appearance:

Color on the front right piece is lighter than the other 5, putting it in the front row made it more obvious, placing it in the back row would have been beneficial.

Legs often have one side that is straighter than the other, especially towards the big meaty end. Symmetry in a box is aesthetically pleasing, the middle legs in the front and the back row could have been rolled over so they were facing the other direction.

Having said that, your box would easily get 9's from plenty of judges, don't beat yourself up wondering "what if" - great job!

 

[Trob06]

frenching the bones will take the box from 8s to 9s.

 

[Thatgrimguy]

frenching the bones will take the box from 8s to 9s.

But will turn off a couple judges that will immediately down score you. In my area, lollipops are a guaranteed bottom half chicken score. There are always 3 judges that love them and 3 judges that hate them.

 

[Thegout]

Box could be a 9 with some adjustments and a bit more even sauce on the legs. Rotating as Dubbaga mentioned would help for sure. While tenderness is way more important than appearance, don't leave points on the table by not doing everything you can to make each box a 9. You have complete control over that regardless of taste or tenderness.

Make sure you are boxing your practice meat at home even though it's a pain. Practice, practice and then practice some more.

 

[tduffy]

But will turn off a couple judges that will immediately down score you. In my area, lollipops are a guaranteed bottom half chicken score. There are always 3 judges that love them and 3 judges that hate them.

Yep. The teams I know turning in legs all do better not frenching them.

 

[tduffy]

The inconsistent color throughout the pieces is the first thing that comes to my mind on why it got eights. the top left leg appears to have bone showing. To me this is a solid 8 appearance box.

 

[bigdaddyvalckx]

I wouldn't french them, but I would trim the "fat" end of the leg. You'll get better skin coverage and the legs will look more even. Bottom middle I would switch with one of the top ones, the bone is a little dark so I'd turn that away from the presentation side.