Here is a follow-up to my previous post relating to "Certified Barbecue Judge" training and sanctioning of events by various barbecue organizations in NC.
The North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC) sanctions between 15-20 barbecue competitions each year with most of them being "whole-hog, on-site" contests. There are a couple other "blind" judging contests following NCPC rules, but not many. The NCPC requires an individual to watch the NCPC judging DVD and then "shadow" a certified judge at one of their competitions. If the "mentor" states that the trainee is ready then he/she will become certified. If not ready, then he/she must "shadow" other competitions until approved. (I became "Certified" through the NCPC following the "Blues, Brews, and Ques" competition at the Durham Athletic Park in Durham, NC in June of this year.)
The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctions between 3-5 competitons each year in NC. Each competition includes: smoked/barbecued chicken (usually thighs), pork ribs (usually baby backs), pulled pork (could also be chopped or sliced), AND beef brisket. ALL of these meats must be cooked in order to win the "grand champion" of each competition. Becoming a "Certified Barbeque Judge" through KCBS involves taking one of their 4-hour classes including taste-testing all of the different categories of meat and sharing the ratings for each. (I became a CBJ (Certified Barbeque Judge) with KCBS in April in Ohio as there were no training events scheduled in NC this year.)
The Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN) sanctions between 1-3 competitions each year in NC. Each MBN competition includes: "On-site" and "Blind" judging of whole-hog, shoulders, and ribs.
The MBN method of training for judges involves taking one of their 6-hour classes and then judging four competitions before becoming a "Certified Barbecue Judge". The MBN competition in Charlotte on September 10-11 will include a judges training class on Friday. (My wife and I will be attending this training and will then judge the competition on Saturday.)
The final sanctioning body for barbecue competitions in NC is the North Carolina Barbecue Society (NCBS). Right now they only sanction 1-3 competitions each year, but hope to increase that number in the coming years. Their training for judges involves a "camp-out" where individuals learn how to cook a pig and other items, as well as learning how to judge a competition. When I spoke with Jim Early the other day, he stated that the NCBS is hosting three camp-outs each year. Following the training, I believe that there is also a requirement to shadow or judge at four competitions before becoming a "Certified Barbecue Judge" through the NCBS. (I anticipate attending a camp-out next year in Asheville.)
This is most of the information on judging competitions in NC. If ANYONE has ANY questions concerning this post or judging or ANYTHING, PLEASE don't hesitate to ask!
Tom (aka "Another_Q_Lover" & "BBQ.TOM")
CMJ w/ KCBS
CBJ w/ MBN, NCPC, NCBS, & NCBBQA
OBJ w/ BBQ Critic.com
CTC w/ KCBS
Pitmaster and Chef - 4 Lil' Pigs Competition Barbecue Team
Author of "A 'Q' Review"