KCBS, To Judge or Not

Nope I don't judge. I have taken the class bit I only wanted to know what they look for. It's alot more fun to complete. 

As for being able to hang around just remember most teams have been up all night cooking and all day long. Most head out pretty quick.

I am a KCBS member and want to get in to judging or competing.  My in-laws has some friends that have been judging for years and they said it is fun, but you have do so many contest a year to stay certified to be a judge.  That''s means doing a little bit of traveling.  I want to take the class too and am interested, but am not sure with my current schedule being my kids T-Ball coach I could do it now.  I hear you get to try a lot of food to make sure you know what to look for.  If you have a good pallet then you should make a good judge.  Get the KCBS membership if you want to save money on meat and supplies at Restaurant Depot.  I bought a 2 packer of pork butts for @1.29 a pound and a brisket for $3.69 a pound there.   I believe @DMW does some judging.  I know he took the class a year ago.

Hello All,
I judge every competition I possibly can (which is not nearly as many as I'd like). I can't say it's the most social thing in the world, but you do get the chance to meet some folks that you probably never would otherwise and you  get the chance to taste some VERY good BBQ. I can't say I've ever really stuck around after a contest to mingle with many of the cooks, but I know there are folks that do. For me, the best part is when I get to try something I'd never thoght of before and it's really great. Granted that doesn't happen at every contest, but it has happened a number of times.

I've also had the chance to help cook at one contest and THAT was a really great experience. A lot of work for sure, and a long day all in all, but well worth it (especially with an amazing team like @SMITTYtheSMOKER and @R2Egg2Q ). That being said, I think you'd be crazy to invest the time, money, and effort in competing without having first a) taken the class to become a CBJ, b) actually judged a few events, c) cooked with another experienced team. If you can find a contest with a 'backyard BBQ' division that might be different, but for KCBS all those steps will make you a MUCH better competitor.

A lot of the best contests are associated with some other event; a car show, a rodeo, a concert, something like that. Find a contest that is associated with something you'd want to check out anyway then spend part of the day judging and part of the day enjoying the other thing. If you find that judging was a fun experience you can do it again, if not at least you had a good day checking out something cool.

Cheers all -
B_B

@Brisket_Fanatic‌ I only want to talk to the judges if i place...lol.

In all seriousness though I don't talk much to anyone but the team as there is ALOT to do before during and after the cook and judging.

It's badinfluence

I am a judge and to date have done 19 events.  I have made some very good friends because of it, both cooks and judges.  I honestly feel it has made me a better cook and it prepared me for the events I have competed in.  Nothing better IMO than to hang with a punch of folks that all have the same interest in something.

Mike

Morning Jstroke:

I've been a KCBS judge since 2006 and now have 24 official contests (also a few unofficial) and love every minute of it...I live in Florida and there aren't many KCBS contests here (first couple years there was only two per year)...Being an EggHead I will try to meet with any team using Eggs after the judging and have always been welcomed...go for it, it is fun and you will meet & get to know some fantastic people.