So, I am sitting here looking out my back door at the 8 inches of snow that we got today and I am thinking “I can’t wait until the BBQ Competition season starts.” Those lucky enough to be in a warmer climate, the season last all year long. For us here in the Mid-Atlantic it is from April through October.

This will be my 6th year on the BBQ competition circuit as a KCBS Certified BBQ Judge. Judging BBQ is a tough job but somebody has to do it. And yes, there is a certification class you have to take to become a judge.

The great thing about the BBQ competition circuit is all the friends you meet. I have made some great friends out there. Making friends also has its advantages.  Next week my BBQ season will get an early start.

Old Virginia Smoke Competition BBQ Team is doing a practice cook. Lucas, Kim and Leigh Anne have been working all winter to perfect the cooking techniques, their flavor profiles, and their box presentation skills. Next Saturday they have invited the best judges around to come to the team’s headquarters to score and critique their accomplishments.

I got to do this last year with OVS. Everyone thought it was a success. 2 weeks after their practice, OVS went on to win the Brisket category and place 20th overall at the BBQ Jamboree in Fredericksburg, VA. 3 weeks after that they won their first Grand Championship at the Beltway BBQ Showdown in Ft. Washington, MD.

In 9 days my BBQ season will start… if the snow melts by then. So here is to another year. Good luck to all the teams out there and my you see lots of 9’s.