How KCBS Judges Decide the Winners of the World's Biggest BBQ Contest - Smoke Point: The Competition

At the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, each judge eats over two pounds of meat during the scoring process. To become one of the over 200 certified judges, volunteers of the Kansas City Barbecue Society go through an intense training and testing process. Find out what it takes to pick the winner of the largest barbecue contest in the world.
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Credits:
Producer: Connor Reid, Jay Simms
Director: Connor Reid, Murilo Ferreira, Jay Simms,
Camera: Murilo Ferreira, Carla Francescutti, Devonte Brown, Jay Simms
Production Assistant: Bryna Vogel
Editor: Christian Moreno
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Supervising Producer, Operations: Stefania Orrù
Supervising Producer, Development: Gabriella Lewis
Audience Engagement: Frances Dumlao
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[@zunalter]

I have mixed feelings about this competition. On the one hand, the skill required to compete well is insane. On the other hand, the lengths these people are taking to impress the judges would never be replicated for the public. Meaning, this BBQ only exists in the judges tent, it doesn't reflect the real world

[@evansamson2703]

Yeah lol that’s the point of comp bbq pushing bbq to perfection. But in all honesty comp bbq taste the same as your local bbq spot

[@lukey1989]

Incorrect. Many BBQ joints and restaurants and chefs etc etc, would be able to replicate it, in various ways in the places they work. Just because it's a competition, doesn't mean it cannot be done for the public buddy. Hope your well 👍💪

[@FishyMango]

@@lukey1989 He's not saying it can't be done for the public, he's saying most of them would never do it for the public. The time/care/cost for doing competition BBQ is much higher than doing commercial BBQ and people just either don't care or don't want to pay more.

[@theunkownmr.562]

Exactly.

[@rosameltrozo5889]

Can't you say the same about any other form of competition?

[@peterdawson3879]

This is the most American thing I can imagine, Master BBQ judge😂 still cool though

[@58jaz]

I was a KCBS judge and since have stopped judging due to two factors. The amount of food you are eating during a judging. You have six portions of each meat to judge. By the time you complete all four categories, you have consumed closed to two pounds. The second reason, in my opinion, the meats prepared don’t taste of bbq. Meats are injected and sauced to the point that you don’t taste the meat. Is this chicken or is this a candy apple. Again I stress, this is my opinion. Bbq enjoyed at a bbq restaurant is comfort food and not the same as competition bbq. There goal is to create the perfect bite. I just don’t agree with the methods competitors use.

[@Billhaderfromtheoffice]

The plating in a styrofoam box on top of a lettuce leaf is hilarious hick style

[@BigboiiTone]

Actually it's kale

[@bensmith7536]

@@BigboiiTone shhh let him judge them, its important for him to bring them down.

[@johnyoung2702]

Something tells me that the lady judge is also head of the HOA in her neighborhood

[@rontheronin]

I have the same feeling 😂 I bet she also has like 3 useless college degrees 😂😂

[@SanTM]

'Preserve the American way of life' in an oath for a BBQ competition. Serious business for Colonel Kentucky there

[@teeteetuu94]

Nothing like some measure of exceptionalism thrown in 🤣

[@bensmith7536]

the world would be a better place if we just eliminated borders, passports, identity, gender, property ownership, taxes etc etc now wouldn't it ??

[@SanTM]

@@bensmith7536 agreed

[@SeeMick1]

BBQ MAGA

[@SanTM]

@@SeeMick1 yeah very much so

[@ConcreteRiver]

certified master barbecue judge. the archetype metric of success

[@dappergenesis822]

I love barbecue too, but the total Cholesterol level in those buildings could pay off the total US national debt

[@roverjohn]

I doubt cholesterol is that valuable.

[@greatplainsman3662]

...and?

[@SanTM]

One of the judges with an IV drip plaster

[@ZUCChinishrIMP]

How do they tally the scores? Is there a correction factor? For example, what if one table regularly rates lower than another table? Not all judges are eating all 505 (x4) samples.

[@axeldiaz7441]

10:21 can't believe no one's mentioned this tasty piece of meat. Looks to die for 🥵

[@francesbird4219]

Judging is fun and you will never eat Smoked meat in a restaurant again.

[@BigboiiTone]

Edit: one bite??? I wonder how many tons of good BBQ get thrown away. Hopefully they make the judges take doggybag 😂 Really funny seeing random australians coming to get some. All around the world AMERICAN BBQ is renowned. USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!

[@MattRowland]

We take home what we don't eat.

[@BigboiiTone]

@@MattRowland ok that is very sensible thank you

[@bensmith7536]

probably a bbq taste thats tailored for judges, imagine the background intel sourcing going on over who's tasting and their personal preferences..... i doubt they are all tasting a control, then the offered product, seems to be an environment where chance plays as much as a part as technique.

[@Always-Hangry]

Bbq 🍖 looks gooood 🤤

[@MattRowland]

6:35 she says part of your score is the garnish. That is 100% incorrect. Garnish is optional. You score the appearance on the look of the meat only.

[@mmm3ike]

I love the McRib lol

[@olivergarcia4259]

I worked at McDonald’s while I was in high school (20 years ago) but if they still make it the same way we used to make it… man just please don’t it anymore

[@dpar9891]

It tastes like an earlobe slathered in fake bbq sauce.

[@FavoritesAG]

the table captain is the only one who can walk back and forth from the table to bring the meat

[@jasonellis7856]

I was lucky enough to be a judge for the Great Australian Pie competition and I gotta say it's not as easy as it sounds but was a great experience...

[@robertbass9032]

Garnish is optional. But if used, it shall NOT be judged other than for legallity !!!! Team # 940, Que-U 6mins 30secs - 6mins 35secs Makes one wonder who else should have been included in JCUP like training.

[@mugtiles]

Man why doesn't this happen near me???

[@ToddAndelin]

wish it would go beyond numbers Something odd or a bit strange needs to be described not numbered.... Something miraculous needs to be praised with words and phrases and poetry... I

[@robertbass9032]

There are comment cards for just that.

[@akivafox3588]

I'm not convinced Cliff Davis isn't just Andy Reid in a fake beard.

[@oreally8605]

People of all races getting along and enjoying the competition. Its a beautiful thing.

[@juancarlosnegron2358]

There's only one race of humans.🤦‍♂️

[@SanTM]

Nice. Good satire

[@gavin_wang]

no asian lingling judge

[@greatplainsman3662]

Never noticed.

[@joewarrior619]

As a Mexican American who loves Mexican food, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned American BBQ. I prefer a BBQ over a carne asada (Mexican style BBQ) any time.

[@SuicideStarboyy]

Most of these people probably sign up as judges for the free smoked meats. Lol.

[@joewarrior619]

Well duh, but in some competitions you still have to pay to be a judge.

[@MattRowland]

No, we sign up because we are passionate about BBQ.

[@simonmarin6469]

So who is the winner??

[@jorb1903]

“Instructed not to judge the box. Just the meat.” 😭😭 the self seriousness is hilarious but the logistics are goddamn impressive. I just can’t help feel like the energy put towards this would be better used elsewhere lol

[@Normallyneil]

I want to be a bbq judge is well.

[@TheKimchipower79]

This is all subjective. You’re competing for that one judge. This isn’t the deciding factor for who has the “best” BBQ. There is great BBQ in every corner of the world. Some might not even be on the radar.

[@infinitehealth2024]

💚💚💚💚💚💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@flowtrotters12230]

this is the favorite tournament for the vegans😊😊

[@aipsydvd]

To be a judge must be difficult task. The food looks real good.

[@robayetsalehin5719]

The greatest competition of the USA is won by an australian. Niceeeeee

[@Maityist]

Doesn't that just show their integrity as judges?

[@rzl712]

the australian team did not win

[@MattRowland]

That team finished 78th.

[@mylesdeep1736]

BBQ isn't about appearance it's all about taste! Those judges ain't right.

[@MattRowland]

Ignorant.

[@DogDigLuss]

"Judge me judge me..." "Loser"

[@Thrashmetalman]

Kinda weird that tail end of the bbq judge oath...

[@BigboiiTone]

All those slow motion shots of middle to older aged men stuffing meat in their mouth is a bit much. Would be nice to add the ladies in there for their slow mo shot

[@middleearthtroll6183]

They take several pound poos in between

[@Frank-sr1dz]

💯💯💯💯🧑‍🍳🧑‍🍳🧑‍🍳🧑‍🍳👍

[@alexhuey6489]

The comments are not what I was expecting. These people enjoy competing and the subjective judging. Just like any other competition it isn’t supposed to replicate the real world. This is peoples passion and a level of seriousness that somebody like me who has no idea what is going on shouldn’t criticize.

[@eyalurim]

11:42 creepy

[@brettjern3264]

It would be nice if the leftovers were given to some animal shelters so its bot wasted. Thats a lot of meat to go to waste

[@gosisthebest]

ok but link the winners

[@SanTM]

You won't get anywhere near the same quality in their restaurant

[@davevillaire2990]

😆😅🤣😂😂🤣😅🤣

[@iandanforth]

What happens if the judges die of a heart attack before they finish scoring your meat? I assume this is an hourly occurrence.

[@thisduderockz]

competition barbeque is over sauced. Dont @ me.

[@MattRowland]

It's all about the flavor profile my friend.

[@eliadesmet4921]

So the judges eat for free? I will leave my country for that meat.

[@ScotmanIsAlsoAViewer]

Same.

[@robertbass9032]

I wouldn't call it "free" if one stays overnight at a hotel, plus having to drive to and from the event. It was not unusual for me to spend upwards of $500 just to that "free" bbq !

[@ScotmanIsAlsoAViewer]

@@robertbass9032 WTF type of hotels you sleep in?!

[@MattRowland]

The class costs $100 USD and you have to maintain an annual membership to KCBS for $45.

[@wbljr13]

BBQ competitions are really waste greens conventions

[@TexasSmoking]

Everything is just soaked in sauce. Couldnt be more unappetizing

[@connorroberson3157]

Lol compared to your dry texas bbq 😂

[@TexasSmoking]

@@connorroberson3157 okay kid. Raised by two dads

[@commentator245]

Never trust a skinny judge