Competition Turn-In
The presentation box of six samples submitted to judges at a BBQ competition — scored on appearance, taste, and tenderness with strict timing requirements.
A competition turn-in is the presentation box submitted to judges in a sanctioned BBQ competition. In KCBS (Kansas City Barbeque Society) format — the most common competition standard — teams submit a styrofoam clamshell box containing exactly six portions of each category: chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket.
The Box: A standard 9x9 styrofoam clamshell, lined with green leaf lettuce (the only permitted garnish in KCBS). Six portions arranged neatly on the lettuce. That's it — no sauce cups, no sides, no labels. The food speaks for itself.
Judging Criteria: Each judge scores each box on three categories, each worth up to 9 points: - Appearance (x0.5629): How does the food look? Even color, proper glaze, clean presentation, appetizing visual appeal. - Taste (x2.2891): Flavor balance between smoke, meat, rub, and sauce. Seasoning penetration. No single element should overpower. - Tenderness/Texture (x1.1429): Proper doneness. Ribs should pull clean with a bite. Brisket should be tender but hold together. Chicken should not be rubbery.
Note: Taste is weighted most heavily — more than twice the weight of tenderness and four times the weight of appearance. The food that tastes best wins. Period.
Timing: Each category has a specific submission window (usually 10 minutes). Miss the window and you're disqualified for that category. Time management is critical.
What Winners Do: - Cook multiple backup meats so they can select the best six pieces - Use a slightly sweeter, more aggressive flavor profile than restaurant BBQ (judges eat dozens of samples — subtle gets lost) - Nail the tenderness window (especially ribs — not too tough, not falling apart) - Presentation is clean and consistent — six pieces that look identical
Competition BBQ is a different craft from restaurant BBQ. The skills overlap but the approach is distinct. I spent 15 years on the circuit and the level of precision required by top teams is remarkable.