Do you cook for the judges?

[RWBTEX]

Was thinking of going to San Antonio this weekend and heard the judges like sweet brisket up there. I've placed better around here with a more traditional brisket. Wonder if I should stick to what has worked for me around here.

Any imput or advice appreciated,

RWB

[Southern Pride BBQ]

I've tried chasing what the judges want, but always seem to find better results with cooking on what your comfortable with cooking or what you've been hitting with......the only real change I will do is if I know the judges are drinking beer ill add a little salt but thus it......

[ecto1]

The only thing I would consider is regional wood preference and only south of the Nueces River. When south of San Antonio I would use Mesquite especially on Brisket and Chicken.

[Zilla]

You heard wrong. San Antonio likes traditional BBQ. BTW I'll be judging that event. BTW #2 you best bring your A-Game to this party.

[Zilla]

As far as your question about cooking for the judges. In my opinion you need to cook middle of the road, nothing that a judge can find fault with. Nothing challenging in flavor. Simple, well cooked and a tad salty. IMO judges are not looking to score you on whats right about your BBQ first but whats wrong with it. Then it goes to whats good.

[RWBTEX]

Thanks for the replys, will try to make it, work looks like it might get in the way.

[steveblount]

We found out the answer to this question the hard way. At the 2010 Bedford Comp (KCBS) we did all our stuff the way we liked it. We came in 37th with ribs, chicken and brisket scoring in the 40's. I talked to some people about what the KCBS judges might be actually looking for. We spent the next year changing our ribs, brisket and chicken and tried it out this year at Bedford. The chicken got 3rd, ribs 7th and brisket 8th. We all agreed that the way we cooked at Bedford is NOT the way we would cokk for friends and family.

[RWBTEX]

Very true Steve, I cook very different for myself at home unless its a practice cook for competition. bTW, thanks to Zilla for the advice, we placed fourth brisket at that event in San Antonio, did bring the A game but totally messed up my ribs not on purpose. If ribs had placed top three like normal we may have been RGC or GC.