Shenandoah’s BBQ Scene Ignites as KCBS Certifies New Judges
Shenandoah – The barbecue scene in Shenandoah is heating up as the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) certifies 27 new barbecue judges. On March 30, barbecue enthusiasts from seven states gathered at Shenandoah’s Elks Lodge to partake in the rigorous judging certification course, under the tutelage of seasoned KCBS representatives Bunny Tuttle and Larry Voth.
More than Just Tasting Food
Bunny Tuttle, a seasoned Certified Barbecue Judge (CBJ) and judge instructor from Pleasant Hill, Missouri, shared that being a barbecue judge involves more than merely appreciating good food. Tuttle emphasized that it entails a profound understanding of individual flavor profiles, tenderness, and presentation.
“Being a barbecue judge is more than just tasting food; it’s about understanding the distinctions of flavor, tenderness, and presentation,” Tuttle conveyed during the seminar.
KCBS-Sanctioned Event on the Horizon
The certification of new judges is a timely development as the ShenDig BBQ Championship, a KCBS-sanctioned event, fast approaches. Mace Hensen, chairman of the ShenDig BBQ Competitions and board member of the Forum to Revitalize Shenandoah, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the training course as it aimed to foster community engagement in the forthcoming event.
“We wanted to empower locals to play an integral role in our annual event,” Hensen expressed. “With 30 KCBS-certified judges already committed, we saw an opportunity to expand our judging panel.”
Understanding KCBS Standards
During the heated training session, Tuttle emphasized the importance of comprehending KCBS standards and judging criteria. The trainer guided the participants through the evaluation process, which involved assessing entries based on appearance, taste, and tenderness. She also focused on common judging vernacular important to the BBQ circuit. “First, you need to understand the terminology that is consistent throughout an event; TC is a table captain, CBJ is a certified barbecue judge.”
Larry Voth, a master judge from Derby, Kansas, accentuated the significance of balance and precision within the scoring system. According to Voth, every single bite narrates a story, and it is the judge’s job to interpret it accurately.
Training Impacts Shenandoah’s BBQ Scene
As the training course concluded, Hensen expressed his gratitude towards the committed participants and sponsors. He also acknowledged the positive impact of the training session on Shenandoah’s BBQ scene.
“I couldn’t have been happier with the training class. The KCBS Training team did a terrific job. Moreover, we were fortunate to have judge nominees, media, and team participants looking to learn more about the judging techniques and tendencies.”
With the new batch of certified judges, Shenandoah is undoubtedly gearing up for an exciting and well-judged BBQ Championship event slated for July 19-20.
