LEFT TO RIGHT - Rich Tuttle, Herb Kane (BBQ Critic) and Bunny Tuttle.
Fellow BBQ judge friend Jason Callaway and I hit the road and two hours later arrived at the Johnston Lions Club around 7:30 am. We were hear to help out with the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) Judge class.
We were greeted by our Master BBQ judge friends Steve Carfrae, Lyn Burk, and Judy Burk. Instructors Rich & Bunny Tuttle arrived shortly after..
Rich & Bunny have taught this class in Iowa for several years. Bunny said the reason they keep coming back is because Iowa has a lot of KCBS BBQ competitions. They want to support that infrastructure built up in the state. Plus they just plain love the BBQ community here.
We were greeted by our Master BBQ judge friends Steve Carfrae, Lyn Burk, and Judy Burk. Instructors Rich & Bunny Tuttle arrived shortly after..
Rich & Bunny have taught this class in Iowa for several years. Bunny said the reason they keep coming back is because Iowa has a lot of KCBS BBQ competitions. They want to support that infrastructure built up in the state. Plus they just plain love the BBQ community here.
Previous Classes in 2021 and 2023
Competition cooks play a vital role in making this class happen. Contributing cooks this year include Ray Ringgenberg (Smokehouse 72), Richard Smith and Jordan Williams (BBQ Pit Bros) and Blake Rasmussen (East Bow Que) smoked up the meat for this class. The teams delivered their insulated containers of meat by 11:30.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Ray Ringgenberg (Smokehouse 72), Jordan Williams (BBQ Pit Bros), Blake Rasmussen (East Bow Que) and Richard Smith (BBQ Pit Bros)
Bunny's class started with on-screen visuals and teachings on BBQ. Rich, myself and other volunteers helped cut and portion the meat, and add the greens to the sample competition boxes. The fun part was sampling the left-over chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. Oh, yeah!
Bunny Tuttle's class presentation
LEFT TO RIGHT: Rich Tuttle and Herb Kane
LEFT TO RIGHT: Patrick Diller and Jason Callaway
Volunteer Table Captains picked up the competition boxes and presented them to the students to judge. This hands-on part of the class is tasty and fun for the students. The Q&A kept things lively, fun and informative. A lot to be learned here, indeed.
What may surprise some folks is that this class in Johnston, Iowa isn't just for people who live in Iowa. Lisa Cordes came all the way from Las Vegas, NV to become a KCBS Certified BBQ Judge. She was extremely impressed with Lyn Burks organizing of the event, and Bunny Tuttle's class presentation. Here is a quick video interview with her.
When the class ended, everyone graduated by reciting the KCBS Judge Oath together. This oath is recited before judging competition BBQ at every KCBS sanctioned event. Rich also taught a Table Captain class right after.
Class of 2026 Reciting the KCBS Judge Oath
I remember how excited I was when I took the judge class back in 2008 (my instructor then was Mike Lake). I could not wait to judge! In fact, I judged just about every weekend that year and in 2009.
By 2010 I received my Master Judge certification. The rest is history as I formed new friendships with cooks, judges, and contest reps. You become a part of the BBQ family.
The Iowa BBQ Society hosts this class annually. The board of directors, members, cooks and judges highly appreciate Rich and Bunny’s commitment to competition BBQ; and supporting Iowa in this on-going endeavor.
A whole new round of BBQ judges get to experience the same excitement I did back in 2008. Welcome aboard!
This class would not be possible without the dedicated support of KCBS instructors Rich & Bunny Tuttle and all our volunteers. Thank you for another successful year. May God continue to bless you in your BBQ journey.
By 2010 I received my Master Judge certification. The rest is history as I formed new friendships with cooks, judges, and contest reps. You become a part of the BBQ family.
The Iowa BBQ Society hosts this class annually. The board of directors, members, cooks and judges highly appreciate Rich and Bunny’s commitment to competition BBQ; and supporting Iowa in this on-going endeavor.
A whole new round of BBQ judges get to experience the same excitement I did back in 2008. Welcome aboard!
This class would not be possible without the dedicated support of KCBS instructors Rich & Bunny Tuttle and all our volunteers. Thank you for another successful year. May God continue to bless you in your BBQ journey.
- BBQ CRITIC
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