First Competition

cybergoon

Fire Starter

Original poster

Mar 23, 2012

65

10

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

• Aug 20, 2012

• #1

I'm doing my first competition this weekend! There are 3 categories, Pork Shoulder, Brisket and Chicken.

I am curious what would be the best to do for turn-in for the Chicken category. This is a very small town competition and their only rule for the chicken is it has to be chicken. They don't care how it is prepared or if it's whole or pieces, etc...

I have smoked whole chickens on the beer can stand and they turned out fantastic. I also have done some thighs and they were great too. I am confident I can do chicken any way I want, but just wondering what everyone's thoughts are for the best turn-in chicken.

 

rdknb

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Jan 23, 2010

3,981

159

Chester (Kent Island), Md

• Aug 20, 2012

• #2

If it was me I would do thighs.  The stay very moist.   But really do what you are best at doing.

 

jarjarchef

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Sep 30, 2010

3,155

117

Central Florida

• Aug 20, 2012

• #3

Never done a comp. I want to, but don't have the gear too.

I would think thigh meat, more forgiving.

 

smokinhusker

Legendary Pitmaster

Oct 20, 2010

8,179

77

Mountains west of Colorado Springs, CO

• Aug 20, 2012

• #4

Never done one but I'd do thighs. Good luck!

 

bryce

Smoking Fanatic

Jun 15, 2012

595

112

Olympia, Wa

• Aug 22, 2012

• #5

After smoking my first thighs last weekend i would have to agree. Done right, they're super tasty. I've always prefered the breast but man, that just changed.

 

rubrchickenhead

Smoke Blower

Aug 25, 2012

117

11

Martinez, Ca

• Aug 25, 2012

• #6

If you're picky about your pack of thighs and select the most symmetrical and trim them real well you can get pretty even looking rectangular pieces of meat, and this presents well. Of course a whole chicken presents quite well too.

Presentation is a consideration, so if you're confident in your ability to make all cuts of chickens tasty, then maybe you should focus on how you plan to present your meat and find what looks best sitting on that judge's plate. Part of your research should be knowing what kind of plating or presentation the competition uses.

Good luck!