Saturday's Barbecue Competition Experience

At my chili cookoff they sell tickets just like rides at a fair. Each ticket is a 4 oz sample at any stand. Buy as many as you'd like.

tbh690 you're talking about the Lone Star Barbecue Society's (LSBS) National Championship BBQ Cookoff in Meridian, TX August 26-27 this year. It's by "Invitation Only" only for the contestants. http://www.lonestarbarbecue.com/lsbs_2004_events.htm

If you want to sample at a LSBS cookoff there are a couple ways to get a taste. The general public can be judges so all you have to do is go to the coordinator's area and volunteer to be a judge. Last weekend's competition was still looking for more judges at judging time. But I believe you must be a certified judge to work the KCBS circuit.

Another way is to find a competition that has a "People's Choice" award. Here you purchase a set number of "Dixie" cups for around $5 and visit different cook sites and sample their products. You are given a ticket to give to the best one by dropping it in their "Vote" box.

One more way to get a taste of the good stuff is to ask the cooks. But it's SOOOOOO important to wait until AFTER the turn-in for that category. Please don't bother a cook before turn-in as this is NOT an effective way to get on their good side.