get rid of the garnish, only allow a piece of aluminum foil in the box. First off it levels the playing field, even thou garnish is not supposed to be judged, it often is because you have to look at it.
Next it has to be taste, and taste is all the flavorings added to the meat, or just the sweet taste of the meat itself. Rubs, sauce, injections, even smoke contribute to the overall taste of the meat. Too much flavor should not be awarded when we are trying to barbeque food, not cover up bad bbq with rubs and sauces.
Appearance wise, smoke ring is numero uno in my book, if your food doesnt have one, it wasnt properly barbequed!!
Texture has to stay in there, but its all dependent on the category, was the chicken rubbery, no good. Ribs fall apart too easily, no good, brisket slices fall apart when picked up, no good, porks chewy, no good.
with all that being said, id say get rid of the garnish and leave well enough alone.
