What Is a KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge?

A KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge, often called a CBJ, is a person trained through KCBS to judge competition BBQ using KCBS procedures and scoring standards.

In KCBS-sanctioned BBQ contests, Certified Barbeque Judges help provide a fair and consistent judging process. Judges evaluate BBQ entries through a blind judging process, which means they do not know which team prepared each entry.

KCBS judging focuses on key aspects of competition BBQ, including appearance, taste, and tenderness or texture. The purpose of CBJ training is to help judges understand how KCBS contests are judged and how to evaluate BBQ entries according to KCBS standards.

For official and current information about KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge classes, requirements, and judging procedures, please visit the KCBS website.

Why This Matters in Japan

American-style competition BBQ is still developing in Japan. To hold fair and credible BBQ contests, Japan needs trained judges who understand KCBS-style judging.

KCBS Japan is preparing to support future KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge classes in Japan in cooperation with local organizers. People interested in future CBJ classes, and organizations interested in helping host a class, are welcome to contact KCBS Japan.