Just wanted to let anyone know that might be interested, the schedule of a couple Certified Barbecue Judge (CBJ) training classes that will be coming up in 2013 in/around North Carolina.
North Carolina Barbecue Society (NCBS):
17-18 May in Clemmons, NC
19-20 July in Sugar Mountain, NC
27-28 September in Castle Hayne, NC
(My wife and I will be at the class in July)
Memphis Barbecue Network (MBN):
18 July in Galax, Virginia (just over the border from Mt. Airy, NC)
Possibly in Charlotte also in October.
Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS):
9 February in Young Harris, GA (just south of Franklin, NC)
18 February in Lexington, NC
18 February in Apex, NC (not scheduled yet, but Graham mentioned that he wants to hold the class again this year)
Contact the North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC) for judging information and their training process.
FYI... The NCBS combines a cooking class with their CBJ training over a two-day event. The MBN generally trains CBJs the day before one of their events and most of the trainees have the opportunity to judge the following day's contest. KCBS usually trains early in the year, long before the event is scheduled to occur.
ALL of these training sessions are fun and enjoyable, not to mention that you will get an opportunity to eat some GOOD food!
Good luck and I sincerely hope some will take the opportunity to become CBJs and I can meet you at a contest someday!
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"