Judging Mulberry’s Fine Swine at the Pit

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I received an email late last week from the good folks at the 2011 Mulberry’s Fine Swine at the Pit BBQ Competition letting me know that an FBA BBQ judges spot had opened up for this weekend’s cook. Having recently taken the FBA judges class at this year’s Fun Cook, I jumped at the chance to get the first official competition judging gig under my belt!

This contest has been going strong now for 8 years, and like most competition BBQ events, the Mulberry’s Fine Swine at the Pit event has a charitable cause. Set up as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, this annual event will raise money for The Mulberry-Lakeland Area Boys and Girls Club.

My Life in Judging BBQ

… to a point, it’s a short one to date. I have judged three KCBS events now, but this is my first FBA contest. What I do like about the way FBA sets up its judging is that they judge each of 5 to 6 entries per category (chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket) from appearance to taste and tenderness one at a time rather than lining up all entries per category on a sheet as is the case with KCBS. FBA Judges are therefore, in my opinion, better positioned to perform non-comparison judging in its purest sense, as there is only one entry on your plate at a time.

I have referenced here many times the great respect I have for competition cook teams. The cash they lay out per event can be staggering when you fold in gas bills, meat purchase, materials, fuel for the cookers, etc. With a $1,700 Grand Champion pay out and $350 for each category win, the Mulberry’s Fine Swine BBQ event offers a chance to offset some of these costs with a little left over! Plus, there’s the local bragging rights!

I look forward to seeing my BBQ buds this weekend and to judging some of the best BBQ in Florida! If you’re there, look for the scruffy faced guy in the floppy hat. If that fails… just as for Kevin, the BBQ Smoker Site Guy!