Frostbuster 2012 Organizers
COLO, IA (April 28, 2012) -- It is forbidden for cooks and judges to fraternize on contest day at a KCBS sanctioned BBQ contest, but that is not the case at Frostbuster 2012 in Colo, Iowa. This non-sanctioned competition, held at Twin Anchors Campground, was created for cooks and judges to learn, not win big cash prizes.
Jay & Ray Ringgenberg and Rick Dodd have organized a unique event that allows cooks to sit down with judges and discuss the final scores of their competition boxes. Judges faced the cooks (eye to eye) to explain their scores. It is not as intimidating as you might think. The cooks are very open and willing to hear all the opinions whether good or bad. That made it extremely easy for the judges to be brutally honest about each turn in.
Jay & Ray Ringgenberg and Rick Dodd have organized a unique event that allows cooks to sit down with judges and discuss the final scores of their competition boxes. Judges faced the cooks (eye to eye) to explain their scores. It is not as intimidating as you might think. The cooks are very open and willing to hear all the opinions whether good or bad. That made it extremely easy for the judges to be brutally honest about each turn in.
Iowa State Grilling Team discuss their scores with the judges.
BBQ Critic took photos of all 48 boxes submitted from 12 teams and will be posted online for BBQ Critic Online Judges to score. The original scores will be published with the online scores for comparison purposes. All team names and box associations will remain anonymous. It will be interesting to contrast the live scores vs BBQ Critic.
The first chicken box to be presented to the judge table.
Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket scores came across the tables ranging from a low 5 to a top 9 in the categories for Appearance, Taste and Tenderness. Most fell in the range of 6, 7, 8 and 9 (the norm at most professional contests). Obviously, judges didn't hold back even knowing they would have to explain their handy writing to the cooks. Cooks often agreed with the low scores while others challenged it at times. Judges also used this opportunity to give kudos for a job well done on some really tasty turn ins. The food was very high quality over all and the score sheets were very convenient – allowing judges to quickly score the box and add comments.
The Judge Score Sheet (click for larger view)
Frostbuster helps break the ice between cooks and judges by allowing fraternization to take place under these special conditions, of course. It's a great way for cooks and judges to get to know each other, especially by participating in the event's social activities.
Mike Green (Woodward BBQ) explains the operation of his pellet grill to Ed Hartman (Certified BBQ Judge).
Friday night they had a Chili Potluck (Chili provided by Smokehouse 72) and Crappy Beer Night. Appropriate since the weather turned out to be chili and crappy. The next morning, Jay, Ray and Rick provided a hearty breakfast for all judges, cooks and volunteers. This hot breakfast was a prefect fit to a cold morning. Everyone got a Frostbuster 2012 T'shirt and cooks got a goodie bag thanks to various donations.
A few BBQ Critic Online Judges/CBJ's were also on hand including Dan Rote, Dave Compton, Ed Hartman, Buzz Dean and Mike Hall.
Frostbuster 2012 is a win, win situation for cooks and judges. Practice makes perfect and this is the perfect event for a new and seasoned teams to perfect their cook by learning from judges. It's also a great venue for new judges to practice their first bite before embarking on the KCBS competition circuit.
- - BBQ Critic
List of Frostbuster Contributors: Smoke on Wheels, Simply Marvelous Rubs, Smokin' Bonz BBQ, Easy Camping RV, Ames Computer Forms, Twin Anchors Campground, Slabs BBQ, Ron Lewen (Captain Ron), Milam Concrete, wrringge Consulting, Strawberry Patch Appreal, Dixie Meat Rub, Russ and Franks BBQ Sauces, Colo Telephone Company and Ron and Dena Milhouse and KCBS for scoring the event. Helpers - Phil, Rob, Ryan, Steve, Stumpy, Lauri and Nancy for the golf cart. And all CBJ's who attended.
Final Results: 1 - Raccoon Flats, 2- Herb-a-licious Funny Bob-BQ, 3- Totally Sauced BBQ, 4 - Woodward BBQ, 5 - Down Home BBQ, 6 - Smokin Bonz BBQ, 7 - Smokin Big Dawgs, 9 - Hooligans BBQ, 10 - Dirty Pig BBQ, 11 - Iowa State Grilling Team and 12 - Jaestar BBQ.
Short Video Interviews with Cooks & Judges
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Frostbuster 2012 Photo Slideshow
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