(Editor's Note: Francis Dutton will be writing a series of 6 guest columns on a variety of Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) topics, from the perspective of a contest organizer, and a KCBS Master BBQ Judge. This is the fourth column in the series. Enjoy!)
In 2021 KCBS formed a continuing online education program for all CBJs/MCBJs known as the Judge Certification Update Program (JCUP).
The JCUP program went live in the early 2022 BBQ season. KCBS recognized the need to ensure all current CBJs/MCBJs have the full opportunity to learn and understand current rules, judging methodologies, standard and guidelines. Thus JCUP was born.
Since inception, KCBS has continuously improved the standards for CBJs/MCBJs to evaluate competition BBQ using the best current practices at the time of the CBJ classes. New CBJs are continually shown and mentored using guidelines in place at that particular given time. The judging community has not had a formal offering for our experienced CBJs/MCBJs that provides an opportunity to learn and understand current rules, judging methodologies, standard and guidelines.
As a result, KCBS recognized that CBJs/MCBJs (while understanding and practicing the art of judging competition BBQ) are utilizing a variety of methods to evaluate entries for final scoring of Appearance, Taste, and Tenderness. KCBS also wanted to provide an opportunity for all CBJs/MCBJs to easily learn and understand current rules, judging methodologies, standard and guidelines on an ongoing basis.
The JCUP was formed on a continuing education platform that will keep KCBS as the world leader in the sport of BBQ. By presenting JCUP, contestants, CBJs/MCBJs, and Organizers can be assured that entries will be evaluated uniformly at all times. JCUP will continually be updated and fine tune when ever necessary in keeping up with the sport of BBQ. Updates will be available to all CBJs/MCBJs on an ongoing basis.
KCBS strongly encourages all CBJs/MCBJs to participate in taking JCUP modules and tests. CBJs/MCBJs that successfully complete and pass JCUP will have a notation of successful completion as part of their electronic record on the KCBS website. KCBS does intend, at the present time to require all CBJs/MCBJs to complete JCUP. By seeing this designation, organizers who select CBJs/MCBJs will be assured that those who are signing up to be part of the judging process at their contest, have successfully completed the JCUP.
As a prelude to the JCUP, KCBS Certified Judge committee, Rules committee along with Board of Directors proposed and passed, a new updated scoring scale. This new scale removed the word “average.” from the scoring language. The goal was to make CBJs/MCBJs evaluation of competition BBQ more consistent from contest to contest and across the nation as well as internationally. The updated scoring system removes two scores that were deemed to be seldom used, based on the committees findings. Eliminated were the scoring number 3 and 4. The new scoring scale better defines the remaining scoring numbers to be used in judging. This new scoring program has been added to all current judging class material for consistency.
Here are the 8 JCUP modules:
1. Introduction & Overview
2. Scoring System
3. Concepts & Guidelines
4. Chicken
5. Ribs
6. Pork
7. Brisket
8. Code of Conduct
The content of all 8 JCUP sections is about an hour in length. Each section contains a video and a list of 10 questions. The test for each section will contain 5 randomly selected questions from the original 10. Modules can be repeated as many times as needed. In order to pass each module you must score 100%.
No time limit, no limit on retaking tests and no trick questions! Once certified in JCUP, judges may review the videos as often as they wish. Also the online learning system that was chosen will tell the CBJ/MCBJ why they may have chosen an incorrect answer while helping that CBJ/MCBJ make a correct choice on the next test attempt.
The ease of using JCUP is very simple and basic, regardless of your computer skills. There is no cost involved either. Just sign into your judges portal on the KCBS website and take the JCUP module tests and pass each with 100%. It all seems pretty simple to me!
As an organizer, I have recently noticed the following requirement when reviewing and looking at other contest organizers judge applications for their contests from across the United States. Organizers and there are a significant number of them, are now making it a requirement for CBJs/MCBJs to have passed JCUP before signing up to judge their contests. I not only think, but am convinced we will continue to see more organizers make this requirement going forward. As an organizer, I am strongly considering using this on my judges application for the King Of The Corn contest in Ottumwa, IA in May.
That said, if you are a CBJ/MCBJ and have not taken the JCUP, go complete the modules as soon as possible. It will give you a very thorough refresher and it only takes an hour of your time. Not much time when you consider that it might be the way of the future (sooner than you think) as a way organizers will select judges for their contests. Also, I suggest you complete JCUP before KCBS decides to make it a full on requirement.
At the time I wrote this article, KCBS currently has 10,274 CBJs/MCBJs and only 3,043 of them have taken JCUP. Only 29.6% of judges have taken JCUP. This is a super low percentage based on the number judges.
We as judges need to do a better job policing ourselves and holding one another accountable making sure we all complete JCUP. KCBS should also be ashamed of the low percentage and now make it MANDATORY. KCBS probably thinks they will lose judges over making JCUP mandatory. My opinion is “So Be It”! Just so everyone knows who reads this article, I have taken the JCUP.
All in all, JCUP benefits you as a judge. Judges should always seek the best in themselves and to be fully knowledgeable and aware of all current rules, judging methodologies and standard guidelines directed and set by KCBS. This is why we take the oath before judging each and every contest.
In closing, JCUP is critical in our evolution as judges. It is only for the greater good of the sport of BBQ and the judging community that we complete JCUP. We as judges and KCBS must hold ourselves to a higher standard if we want to be the leaders of the worlds largest BBQ society. It only makes sense. Let's make it a point to support one another as judges to make sure we have all taken JCUP as soon as possible. It will only make us better.
Thanks for reading!
- Francis
The JCUP program went live in the early 2022 BBQ season. KCBS recognized the need to ensure all current CBJs/MCBJs have the full opportunity to learn and understand current rules, judging methodologies, standard and guidelines. Thus JCUP was born.
Since inception, KCBS has continuously improved the standards for CBJs/MCBJs to evaluate competition BBQ using the best current practices at the time of the CBJ classes. New CBJs are continually shown and mentored using guidelines in place at that particular given time. The judging community has not had a formal offering for our experienced CBJs/MCBJs that provides an opportunity to learn and understand current rules, judging methodologies, standard and guidelines.
As a result, KCBS recognized that CBJs/MCBJs (while understanding and practicing the art of judging competition BBQ) are utilizing a variety of methods to evaluate entries for final scoring of Appearance, Taste, and Tenderness. KCBS also wanted to provide an opportunity for all CBJs/MCBJs to easily learn and understand current rules, judging methodologies, standard and guidelines on an ongoing basis.
The JCUP was formed on a continuing education platform that will keep KCBS as the world leader in the sport of BBQ. By presenting JCUP, contestants, CBJs/MCBJs, and Organizers can be assured that entries will be evaluated uniformly at all times. JCUP will continually be updated and fine tune when ever necessary in keeping up with the sport of BBQ. Updates will be available to all CBJs/MCBJs on an ongoing basis.
KCBS strongly encourages all CBJs/MCBJs to participate in taking JCUP modules and tests. CBJs/MCBJs that successfully complete and pass JCUP will have a notation of successful completion as part of their electronic record on the KCBS website. KCBS does intend, at the present time to require all CBJs/MCBJs to complete JCUP. By seeing this designation, organizers who select CBJs/MCBJs will be assured that those who are signing up to be part of the judging process at their contest, have successfully completed the JCUP.
As a prelude to the JCUP, KCBS Certified Judge committee, Rules committee along with Board of Directors proposed and passed, a new updated scoring scale. This new scale removed the word “average.” from the scoring language. The goal was to make CBJs/MCBJs evaluation of competition BBQ more consistent from contest to contest and across the nation as well as internationally. The updated scoring system removes two scores that were deemed to be seldom used, based on the committees findings. Eliminated were the scoring number 3 and 4. The new scoring scale better defines the remaining scoring numbers to be used in judging. This new scoring program has been added to all current judging class material for consistency.
Here are the 8 JCUP modules:
1. Introduction & Overview
2. Scoring System
3. Concepts & Guidelines
4. Chicken
5. Ribs
6. Pork
7. Brisket
8. Code of Conduct
The content of all 8 JCUP sections is about an hour in length. Each section contains a video and a list of 10 questions. The test for each section will contain 5 randomly selected questions from the original 10. Modules can be repeated as many times as needed. In order to pass each module you must score 100%.
No time limit, no limit on retaking tests and no trick questions! Once certified in JCUP, judges may review the videos as often as they wish. Also the online learning system that was chosen will tell the CBJ/MCBJ why they may have chosen an incorrect answer while helping that CBJ/MCBJ make a correct choice on the next test attempt.
The ease of using JCUP is very simple and basic, regardless of your computer skills. There is no cost involved either. Just sign into your judges portal on the KCBS website and take the JCUP module tests and pass each with 100%. It all seems pretty simple to me!
As an organizer, I have recently noticed the following requirement when reviewing and looking at other contest organizers judge applications for their contests from across the United States. Organizers and there are a significant number of them, are now making it a requirement for CBJs/MCBJs to have passed JCUP before signing up to judge their contests. I not only think, but am convinced we will continue to see more organizers make this requirement going forward. As an organizer, I am strongly considering using this on my judges application for the King Of The Corn contest in Ottumwa, IA in May.
That said, if you are a CBJ/MCBJ and have not taken the JCUP, go complete the modules as soon as possible. It will give you a very thorough refresher and it only takes an hour of your time. Not much time when you consider that it might be the way of the future (sooner than you think) as a way organizers will select judges for their contests. Also, I suggest you complete JCUP before KCBS decides to make it a full on requirement.
At the time I wrote this article, KCBS currently has 10,274 CBJs/MCBJs and only 3,043 of them have taken JCUP. Only 29.6% of judges have taken JCUP. This is a super low percentage based on the number judges.
We as judges need to do a better job policing ourselves and holding one another accountable making sure we all complete JCUP. KCBS should also be ashamed of the low percentage and now make it MANDATORY. KCBS probably thinks they will lose judges over making JCUP mandatory. My opinion is “So Be It”! Just so everyone knows who reads this article, I have taken the JCUP.
All in all, JCUP benefits you as a judge. Judges should always seek the best in themselves and to be fully knowledgeable and aware of all current rules, judging methodologies and standard guidelines directed and set by KCBS. This is why we take the oath before judging each and every contest.
In closing, JCUP is critical in our evolution as judges. It is only for the greater good of the sport of BBQ and the judging community that we complete JCUP. We as judges and KCBS must hold ourselves to a higher standard if we want to be the leaders of the worlds largest BBQ society. It only makes sense. Let's make it a point to support one another as judges to make sure we have all taken JCUP as soon as possible. It will only make us better.
Thanks for reading!
- Francis
EDITOR'S NOTE: While Francis was writing this column on the JCUP, I was taking the JCUP training online at the KCBS website. After completing all 8 sections, I wholeheartedly support Francis Dutton's passion in getting every judge to take the JCUP. It really made me think again about scoring a turn-in and where your mindset should be and how to choose the fairest score possible.
THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORANT INFORMATION, especially with the new scoring system we now have in place. Everyone must be on the same page in how we approach judging.
So BBQ CRITIC would like to invite you to submit your KCBS JCUP Certificate of Completion to us (you receive this via email when you complete the course) so we can add it to this column as an example to others, and inspire judges to take this training.
That said, i will post mine first. Now it's your turn!
Herb Kane
Publisher,
BBQ CRITIC
THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORANT INFORMATION, especially with the new scoring system we now have in place. Everyone must be on the same page in how we approach judging.
So BBQ CRITIC would like to invite you to submit your KCBS JCUP Certificate of Completion to us (you receive this via email when you complete the course) so we can add it to this column as an example to others, and inspire judges to take this training.
That said, i will post mine first. Now it's your turn!
Herb Kane
Publisher,
BBQ CRITIC
Congrats JCUP Judges!
RSS Feed
