2009 RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. The decision and interpretations of the KCBS Rules and Regulations are at the discretion of the KCBS Contest Representatives at the contest. Their decisions and interpretations are final.

2. Each team shall consist of a chief cook and as many assistants as the chief cook deems necessary. A team shall not compete in more than one contest under the same team name, on the same date

3. Each team will be assigned a cooking space. Pits, cookers, props, trailers, motor homes, vehicles, tents or any other equipment (including generators) shall not exceed the boundaries of the team’s assigned cooking space. All seasoning and cooking of product shall be done within the assigned cooking space. Teams shall not share an assigned cooking space or cooking device.

4. Contestants shall provide all needed equipment, supplies and electricity, except as arranged for in advance.

Contestants must adhere to all electrical, fire and other codes. A fire extinguisher shall be near all cooking devices.

5. Fires shall be of wood, wood pellets or charcoal. Gas and electric heat sources shall not be permitted for cooking or holding. Propane or electric is permitted as fire starters, provided that the competition meat is not in/on the cooking device. Electrical accessories such as spits, augers, or forced draft are permitted. No open pits or holes are permitted, except at the election of the contest organizer. Fires shall not be built on the ground.

6. Parboiling and/or deep-frying competition meat is not allowed.

7. The Four KCBS Meat Categories:
  • CHICKEN: Chicken includes Cornish Game Hen and Kosher Chicken.
  • PORK RIBS: Ribs shall include the bone. Country style ribs are prohibited.
  • PORK: Pork is defined as Boston Butt, Picnic and/or Whole Shoulder, weighing a minimum of five (5) pounds. Pork shall be cooked (bone in or bone out) and shall not be parted.
  • BEEF BRISKET: May be whole brisket, flat, or point. Corned beef is not allowed.
8. All competition meats shall be inspected by the Official Meat Inspector during the times established by the contest organizer but not prior to the day before judging. Once the competition meat has been inspected, it shall not leave the contest site. Cooking shall not begin until the competition meat has been inspected by the Official Meat Inspector. All competition meat shall start out raw. No pre-seasoned meat is allowed other than manufacturer enhanced or injected products, as shown on label (EXCLUDING (but not limited to): teriyaki, lemon pepper or butter injected). When the contest organizer supplies the meat, the contestant is not required to enter only that meat. (Competition meat not meeting these qualifications shall be disqualified; given a one (1) in all criteria by all six judges)

9. Garnish is optional. If used, it is limited to chopped, sliced, shredded or whole leaves of fresh green lettuce, curly parsley, flat leaf parsley and/or cilantro. Kale, endive, red tipped lettuce, lettuce cores and other vegetation are prohibited. (Improper garnish shall receive a score of one (1) on Appearance)

10. Sauce is optional. If used, it shall be applied directly to the meat and not be pooled or puddled in the container. No side sauce containers will be permitted in the turn-in container. Chunky sauce will be allowed. Chunks are to be no larger than a fine dice, (approximately 1/8 inch cubed). (Sauce violations shall receive a score of one (1) on Appearance).

11. Entries will be submitted in an approved KCBS numbered container, provided by the contest organizer. The number must be on top of the container at turn-in. The container shall not be marked in anyway so as to make the container unique or identifiable. Aluminum foil, toothpicks, skewers, foreign material, and/or stuffing are prohibited in the container. (Marked entries will receive a one (1) in all criteria from all Judges).

12. Each contestant must submit at least six (6) separated and identifiable (visible) portions of meat in a container. Chicken, pork and brisket may be submitted chopped, pulled, sliced, or diced as the cook sees fit, as long as there is enough for six (6) judges. Ribs shall be turned in bone-in. Judges may not cut, slice, or shake apart to separate pieces. (If there is not enough meat for each judge to sample, the shorted judge(s) will score a one (1) on all criteria, and the judges having samples will change the Appearance score to one (1).)

13. Meat shall not be sculptured, branded or presented in a way to make it identifiable. Rosettes of meat slices are not allowed. (Violations of this rule will be scored a one (1) on all criteria by all six judges.)

14. Turn-in times will be announced at the Cooks Meeting. An entry will be judged only at the time established by the contest organizer. The allowable turn-in time will be five (5) minutes before to five (5) minutes after the posted time with no tolerance. Late entries will not be accepted.
Judging typically starts at Noon on Saturday, but could vary at any contest.
The four (4) KCBS categories will be judged in the following order:
CHICKEN . . . . . . . .NOON
PORK RIBS . . . . . .12:30 pm
PORK . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 pm
BEEF BRISKET . . . . 1:30 pm

15. The following cleanliness and safety rules will apply:
A. No use of any tobacco products while handling meat.

B. Cleanliness of the cook, assistant cooks, cooking device(s) and the team’s assigned cooking space is required.

C. Shirt and shoes are required to be worn.

D. Sanitizing of work area should be implemented with the use of a bleach/water rinse (one cap/gallon of water). Each contestant will provide a separate container for washing, rinsing and sanitizing of utensils.

E. First aid is not required to be provided by the

contest, except at the election of the contest organizer. F. Prior to cooking, meat must be maintained at 40 degrees or less.

G. After cooking, all meat:
(a) Must be held at 140 degrees or above, --or—

(b) Cooked potentially hazardous food shall be cooled:
(1) Within 2 hours from 140 degrees F to 70 degrees F and

(2) Within 4 hours from 70 degrees F to 41 degrees F or less

(3) Potentially hazardous food (meat) that is cooked, properly cooled, and later reheated for hot holding and serving shall be reheated so that all parts of the food reach a temperature of at least 165 degrees F for a minimum of 15 seconds.

16. It is the responsibility of the contestant to see that the team’s assigned cooking space is clean and orderly following the contest. All fires must be put out, pits filled (if allowed by contest organizer), and all equipment removed from site. It is imperative that clean-up be thorough. Any team’s assigned cooking space left in disarray or with loose trash, other than at trash containers, may disqualify the team from future participation at KCBS sanctioned events.

17. There will be no refund of entry fees for any reason, except at the election of the contest organizer.

18. Showmanship and cooking are separate entities and will be judged as such. Specific information will be provided by a contest organizer if there is to be a showmanship award.


Website Design by
Aimee Shaw's DIGITAL CREATIONS  | Graphic Design & Consulting