Hey Folks, Kevin here. This post deals with moving from paper based judges applications to Online BBQ Judge App Systems concept. Not sure how many of you judges or even teams out there are still just so in love with paper apps or emailing pdfs that you just can’t imagine giving them up.
But… I believe there is a better way.
I’ve been a KCBS and FBA BBQ Judge now for a few years, and although I love being affiliated with these two organizations, I am continually baffled by the archaic manner by which most of the competitions for each group go about recruiting and signing up judges.
What baffles me the most? Paper. The use of it. I can’t stand it! Ahhhh!
We live in a paperless (or near paperless) society folks. Right? I mean dang, I rarely even carry around paper money anymore. I use an ePass for highway tolls, and I use a mobile apps to order just about anything I can from movie tickets, to food, to travel tickets, etc. We need Online BBQ Judge App Systems now.
But then the judging applications find their way into my digital life.
And not the cool mobile apps, either.
Print out this form.
Print your name and information on it.
Submit the form via US Postal Service.
Oh man. I’m starting to itch. I think I’m getting a case of the shingles. LOL.
OK, true – Shingles are no friggin’ joke, I know.
But still… you get what I’m layin’ down here correct? I know that some competitions allow you to email pdf copies of forms. But this still requires scanning or otherwise inserting a digital signature or the like.
Why for the love of all that is smoked and tasty does this nightmare continue? It CAN’T be fun for competition organizers to sort through paper applications! And I know I’m not the only one who is wondering why we keep killing trees to sign up for contests as either judges or competitors. Ok… we can still kill trees. But at least use what you kill as either charcoal or smoke rendering goodness.
So I was griping about all this to my older brother Steve who started judging KCBS comps this year and is already on number 16! He’s retired from the US Air Force and got his B.S. back in the 80s in Computer Science from the University of Florida. He politely let me finish my gripe, and then said “You know, Kevin. The Rocky Mountain BBQ Association (he lives in Colorado Springs, CO) has its judging applications all handled by an online Judges Liaison Program (JLP).
The Judges Liaison Program is an online program that allows you to manage your judging experience by following four simple steps: Login to your account, sign up for the BBQ events you want to judge, monitor your list position, and Lock In events when the opportunity is presented.
Uh…. I’m sorry. Where do I send my post card sized judges application?
Answer… I DON’T!
As a KCBS judge, I created an account using my KCBS creds, was approved shortly after, and proceeded to sign up for not one but TWO future contests.
I didn’t have to ask for or look for a judges application. I was able to simply click a check box next to the competitions I wanted. Turns out I am on the list now for a Billings, Montana event in August and am on the waiting list for a Worland, Wyoming one days later.
As the events get closer, I’ll be notified that it’s time to either “lock in” or “give up” my spot to judge. If I lock in a spot, it’s up to me to get my ass there so that the coordinators aren’t left holding the bag looking for judges on the fly. This part is universal among judging in all areas, as I’m sure you agree.
So, here’s my question regarding Online BBQ Judge App Systems…
Can Can We Get All KCBS or Your Local BBQ Association to Go Paperless?
Damn straight we can! We just have to make a little noise. Nothing crazy, just polite and then maybe persistent. KCBS already does this for the Sam’s Club Competitions. The Rocky Mountain BBQ Association has been using the JLP online judges sign up system for at least a couple years now. It’s not rocket science. It’s just a matter of making the decision to change.
So… what do you think?
Should your BBQ association keep the old paper system or move to Online BBQ Judge App Systems? Please provide your answer below in the comments area so we can all chime in!
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I got a request for tips and info on how to smoke a whole hog from O.T., one of my blog readers. I love it when people interact and comment here with questions (below) because it gives me a chance to provide real value with this website.
Photo Courtesy of the Utah BBQ Association
In the interest in providing some great How To BBQ a Whole Hog information, I’m providing you with a sort of digest on the subject of Whole Hog Smoking below. Please visit the links I provide here as the information you’ll find is a great way to begin compiling a Whole Hog 101 Smoking game plan.
Tips on Smoking a Whole Hog
Whole Hog 101 Resources from Malcom Reed of the Killer Hog Competition BBQ Team
I’ve been a huge fan of Malcom Reed and his Killer Hogs competition BBQ team for a while now. Sure, the Killer Hogs are ace competitors in the world of BBQ. But where Malcom really shines is with his How To BBQ Right blog. This is a must bookmark site that never ceases to provide amazing value and information to anyone looking to improve their backyard or competition BBQ skills.
Never one to disappoint, Malcom’s Whole Hog BBQ Smoking Archive is out of this world useful! On this website you will find videos, tips and recipes that will show you exactly how to trim a whole hog, inject a whole hog and smoke a whole hog.
Cowgirl’s Country Life Whole Hog On A Cinder Block Pit
If you’ve ever been to the Cowgirl’s Country Life blog you know what I mean when I say …. damn, that lady can flat out cook. Her post on cooking a Whole Hog on a cinder block pit is filled with awesome step-by-step photos and easy to follow “how to” information.
This is a great post for anyone who has some yard space to spare and needs a cost efficient way to smoke a whole hog. You can find that post here.
La Caja China Whole Hog Roast
My good friend in BBQ Perry Perkins first introduced me to the La Caja China style of BBQ. Inspired by what Perry wrote in his book La Caja China Cooking: The secret to perfect roasting, the guys over at BBQ Addicts documented the entire process of roasting a whole hog la caja china style.
Head over here to see the entire post and associated photos. They’re awesome! You’ll note that at the end of the article, Jason reports that the meat did not get as tender as he’d like. Cooking la caja china style whole hog can absolutely deliver pull from the bone tenderness. From what I understand, it just takes some practice. You can find another great article on this style of whole hog cooking on the Cigar Aficionado blog.
However, one of the most complete articles on whole hog la caja china style comes from The L Magazine Whole Hog Write Up here.
Goin’ Whole Hog: What You Need To Know To Roast A Hog Or Suckling Pig
Finally, I give you Meathead’s amazing and extremely informative (as always) post on the ins and outs of roasting a whole hog or suckling pig.
Tapping into the tradition of whole hog BBQ from the Carolinas, he states:
There is no place on earth that takes hog cookery as seriously as the folks in the Carolinas. When you order “barbecue” in the eastern parts of North or South Carolina, you are usually ordering chopped meat from a whole hog, and many joints in the Southeast feature a “Pig Pickin’”, a sumptuous buffet featuring a whole hog on display. You just sidle up to the table and pluck off whatever you want. When lunch is over, there is nothing but a few bones. Even the skin is gone because, when it is cooked the way I describe below, fabulously crisp “cracklins” become an essential part of the feast.
To date I’ve found no single resource on prepping a whole hog for BBQ. Meathead goes delves deeply into the Carolina tradition of Whole Hog BBQ but also does a nice job of explaining some other regional approaches as well as some of the finer points of whole hog BBQ in general.
Did you find this post useful? If so, please comment below and share it with others! If you’ve cooked a whole hog before and have photos, please share them with us over at the BBQ Smoker Site Facebook Page!
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