Competition judges are ruining backyard BBQ

I was at the Memphis in May contest last year and watched a guy get docked points because his bark wasn't uniform enough. That trophy chasing has people focusing on looks over taste. When did we start caring more about how a brisket photographs than how it eats?

2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

2 Comments

jason733mo ago

My brisket bark is usually just a thin layer of ash and shame. Guess I'd get disqualified for being too real.

8

victorclark3mo ago

Had a buddy who spent way too much money on a fancy smoker, then showed up at a competition with brisket so dry it looked like dinosaur jerky. Judges gave him a 7 for presentation just because the smoke ring was pretty (he was real proud of that ring, bless his heart). Last I heard he switched to making chili, figured nobody judges the bark on beans.

6