A sanctioning body writes the rules, certifies the judges, keeps the scores and puts its name on a contest. When you enter one of its contests you agree to its rules, and the contest’s organizer adds a cooks’ packet with the times and the details for that weekend. BBQOps plans for three of them.
| Body | The contest | Turn-ins |
|---|---|---|
| KCBS (Kansas City Barbeque Society) | Master Series: chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. Backyard Series: chicken and ribs. | Usually noon, 12:30, 1:00 and 1:30. A box is accepted from 5 minutes before to 5 minutes after. |
| IBCA (International Barbeque Cookers Association) | Chicken, spareribs and brisket, each in a tray with a ticket you sign. No garnish. | Usually noon, 1:30 and 3:00. A tray is accepted from 10 minutes before to 10 minutes after. |
| MBN (Memphis Barbecue Network) | Whole hog, pulled pork and ribs, judged blind, then on-site finals. | Standard contest: 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00, with a 15-minute window that closes at the posted time and no grace. |
How they differ where it matters
- Garnish: KCBS allows a small, listed set of greens; IBCA and MBN allow none.
- Meat: KCBS meat is inspected before you touch it and cooked on site. IBCA cooks all meat on site, and the promoter sets any inspection. MBN has its own inspection and does not allow meat that was injected, marinated or otherwise pre-treated before it.
- Time: KCBS turn-ins are 30 minutes apart, IBCA 90 minutes apart, and MBN’s are tied to its judging table.
- Finals: MBN’s best three in each category cook for the judges on site.
Where to look
- KCBSRules, the contest calendar and judging classes
- IBCARules and the contest calendar
- MBNRules, the contest calendar and results
There are also regional and state associations. Ask the cooks at the contest nearest you, and read the entry form: it names whose rules the contest follows.