How to judge good BBQ
Most of us probably consider ourselves BBQ judges in the most basic sense. We buy or make barbecue, or experience it at a party or potluck, and think about how it compares to our idea of the perfect specimen.
But if you want to get even more serious than that, you might want to consider taking an actual class on how to judge good BBQ, to get a sense of how it’s done in major competitions or maybe even put yourself in the running to be picked as a judge at a BBQ event.
Such a class will be available next Saturday, March 24, when the Kansas City BBQ Society gives a Certified BBQ Judge’s class at Covington Baptist Church in Covington. This event is brought to you by Olde Town Covington, which is also putting on the Cork & Pork Festival June 29 and 30, 2012.
The class costs $50 for members of the Kansas City BBQ Society and $85 for non-members, and that price includes a one-year membership in the KCBS and the society’s official publication, The Bullsheet. It also includes all of the materials and the meats you’ll get to eat during the class.
For more information about the class, including the specific times, the address and how to register, click here. To read ahead a bit on the Cork & Pork event, click here.
March 20, 2012 - 9:34 AM
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Love their newsletter name! That is hysterical…
Having taken a similar class in NC, and having judged previous barbecue (I hate BBQ, it’s like XMas) competitions, it is really interesting to see the regional alliances that are so ingrained.
I could wax philosophic on ‘cue for hours, and have someone from KC take a diametrically opposed position, and feel just as justified as I did.
That newsletter name is hysterical!
Will you be taking the class, Lindsey?
I am not planning on taking the class but I emailed my dad about it. He’s always said he’d like to be a BBQ judge!
This past Sunday I was in the Raleigh,NC area. The paper had an article about the same class there. The food editor attended and did a great job reporting on it.
Is this the story you are talking about?: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/18/1941671/would-be-judges-learn-the-rules.html#storylink=misearch
Lindsey it seems like it would be a great idea for you to participate, and even – plug here – for the RT to sponsor you, being their food blogger and all. That way, in the future when barbecue contests are held, it would be free advertising for the RT to have a ‘Certified Barbecue Judge’ act in the contest.
Just another way for the website to be relevant. Not to mention, you’d get a free story out of doing it with your dad. There really seems to be no downside to it.
Thanks for the idea. I’ll see if there’s any way that I can work it out. Dad can’t go, unfortunately.
That’s the story! I agree with ABDNVA, that would look good on your resume. And I,m sure you would have fun.
I wish they’d have one for the chili cookoff. The first year I judged here I commented to someone when it was over how none of it had beans…it makes me cringe now.
Ach! Dang kids and their travel soccer games are interfering with my love of bbq! Maybe #2 Son can walk to the game…