I wanted to try to pick my words carefully but I am sure i will still misstate something. First i too really like the idea of the suspension of the CBJ classes but have a few thoughts and truthfully I dont know if it will do much good regardless. I dont want to say there is a need for more, there absolutely is NOT, but maybe more true in-depth(for lack of a better word).
Ed, I am not taking anything personal but I think the need vs. greed is a bit tough a statement. Just in terms of the IBS, it wasnt a big money maker and has been done for a bit. It was more for a betterment of BBQ than anything. Now i am not saying it was the right thing i just wanted that out there. Saying that though each of the last 3 or 4 years there has been other people putting on KCBS CBJ classes in Iowa. 3 classes a couple of years ago. But strictly using last year or year before i dont remember there was an issue and frankly some hard feelings by some because an individual scheduled a CBJ class a couple weeks after the IBS one and after the IBS scheduled theirs(Ed, i think you know who I am talking about) I had no problem with his being scheduled but in hindsight I now understand.
Again I think the suspension is a good idea and i have no idea what the KCBS BOD plans are or how they are thinking(thank goodness) but from what I read it is just suspended until the cbj committee approves to go forward. So in theory this might only be suspended a short time? I mean if all the 2015 classes are still going, Will there really be no classes in 2016? To me just thinking out loud what the real problem is, is so many different scoring basis to use. My hope would be that the CBJ committee comes up with a more "standardized" scoring basis. And then basically everyone would need to 'renew" their certification at these classes that are happening. FOR FREE but at each class a certain number of seats set aside for "renewals". We have to renew our drivers license, fishing license, hunting license, etc.. So why should this be any different?
I am not so much against new cbj's nor do i think we should go overboard with existing CBJ's. Yes it is a way for KCBS to make money and yes us cooks spend waaaaay to much money on this to question the judging. And there is a definite over saturation of judges in some areas, but us cooks travel. Why cant the judges travel(and I know many do). I dont think we should punish someone before they have done something wrong. Yes the situation needs re thought out, and obviously it is. And if a pause is what is needed to reset. GREAT. I guess ultimately what I am trying to say is IMO much like the way contests are being scheduled this kinda comes back to too many contest allowed in same areas. i think to many classes allowed in the same general areas.
The big part of my problem, and let me say i could and most likely am way off, is like for the Royal. There will be a class for judges and lots of new ones. But the new judges,as things are currently listed for 2016, will only be in KC area not other areas or frankly not enough judges. So if we suspend the cbj class too long all the new judges in one area and no new life blood in other areas.
I am sorry i am as opinionated as i am on this subject, but if it wasnt for a KCBS CBJ class at an UNsanctioned contest, I wouldnt have known much about KCBS. The idea of being a bbq judge thrilled me and my wife. And after judging a few the two of us became cooks, caterers, vendors, served on charitable BBQ Boards....All because of my CBJ class back in 2010...I am proud to be a CBJ and I am thankful for what the CBJ class has given me in terms of knowledge and future...
BUT......I do understand there needs to be some revision to the program :wink: