Question from a novice

Most competitions have more than one contest to enter & that will include anything BBQ related too like sides & desserts. 

Typical BBQ contests (KCBS, FL BBQ, and I assume others) have the following 4 categories:

[1] chicken

[2] ribs

[3] butt

[4] brisket

The typical KCBS contest will have you turning in an entry every 30 minutes Chicken at Noon, Ribs at 12:30, Butt at 1:00 and Brisket at 1:30.  FL BBQ is typically every hour.

Some recommend attending a judging class to get an understanding of what the judges are looking for during a competition.  If I were you, I would join the FL BBQ Association (google will take you there) and sign up for a judges class.  There is one schedule in Perry FL on 12/13.  I'm hoping for a NE Florida judges class and hope there will be one soon.

Hope that helps!

No problem, happy to help.  $35 per year for the Association and $75 for Judge's Seminar.