Throwdowns and such

[pineywoods]

The appearance of the food is only 1/3 of the points awarded by the judges at least according to the judges rules

 

[Brokenhandle]

I say this as truth, rather than stroking my ego. As a tree trimmer, I was an artist. We had a fair number of clients that would wait until the company could free me up to do their work. I just had this ability to see how each limb I cut was going to change the overall look of the tree while I was up in the middle of it.

My artistic abilities end there. Can't draw a straight line, and can't plate food in an artistic way to save my life.

I can screw up drawing a stick person! My plating might not be the best either... but it's like letting my childhood kid come out in me to join some of these... kinda like being an adult and going and jumping in a mud puddle! Why? Because it's there! On the other hand it's challenging myself to step out of my norm... turned out amazing for a couple dishes... and proved to myself I did that! I'm not even a great cook... my wife is amazing though!

Go back to your childhood and make it fun! The little choo choo... I think I can, I think I can!

Ryan

 

[jcam222]

It would be virtually impossible to remove the visual appeal element from an online throwdown style contest.If everything was leveled to be a piece of meat on a board there would really be nothing to judge since you can't taste. It would still be influenced by the skill of the photo. Aside from the plating judging also takes into consideration difficulty of the dish and execution. That's why I suggested also adding a door prize drawing for all entrants who don't win in the vote or judging. Not all but some folks would find that the more they enter and also see the other entries they will improve visually. My first entry was a mushroom Swiss burger that was fantastic but not well represented by the photo. I was in awe of some of the other folks entries. I hesitated to enter another but I'm a competitive guy so I was determined to get mine up to speed with theirs. It grew into something I really enjoyed. Good lighting and a plain white plate help imo, I've always just done my shots with my phone. I'm going to try to dig up my first entry pic vs some since then.

 

[chilerelleno]

I'm not at all inclined to include participation trophies.
There are winners and losers.
And besides, who wants to fund/front all these 'prizes' for merely entering.
That said, "I wouldn't really say anyone who enters really loses anything." and the experience and knowledge gained is a win.

 

[forktender]

The appearance of the food is only 1/3 of the points awarded by the judges at least according to the judges rules

The judges, should be us, not a selected panel, let the members decide who wins.

 

[forktender]

It would be virtually impossible to remove the visual appeal element from an online throwdown style contest.If everything was leveled to be a piece of meat on a board there would really be nothing to judge since you can't taste. It would still be influenced by the skill of the photo. Aside from the plating judging also takes into consideration difficulty of the dish and execution. That's why I suggested also adding a door prize drawing for all entrants who don't win in the vote or judging. Not all but some folks would find that the more they enter and also see the other entries they will improve visually. My first entry was a mushroom Swiss burger that was fantastic but not well represented by the photo. I was in awe of some of the other folks entries. I hesitated to enter another but I'm a competitive guy so I was determined to get mine up to speed with theirs. It grew into something I really enjoyed. Good lighting and a plain white plate help imo, I've always just done my shots with my phone. I'm going to try to dig up my first entry pic vs some since then.

The members should be the only judging panel, leave it up to the people.

 

[forktender]

It would be virtually impossible to remove the visual appeal element from an online throwdown style contest.If everything was leveled to be a piece of meat on a board there would really be nothing to judge since you can't taste. It would still be influenced by the skill of the photo. Aside from the plating judging also takes into consideration difficulty of the dish and execution. That's why I suggested also adding a door prize drawing for all entrants who don't win in the vote or judging. Not all but some folks would find that the more they enter and also see the other entries they will improve visually. My first entry was a mushroom Swiss burger that was fantastic but not well represented by the photo. I was in awe of some of the other folks entries. I hesitated to enter another but I'm a competitive guy so I was determined to get mine up to speed with theirs. It grew into something I really enjoyed. Good lighting and a plain white plate help imo, I've always just done my shots with my phone. I'm going to try to dig up my first entry pic vs some since then.

Not really, this is an example of what I'm talking about, we can all judge based on doneness, bark, and the over all look of the meat it's self.
I copied this from someone that posted it here on the forum.

 

[jcam222]

Not really, this is an example of what I'm talking about, we can all judge based on doneness, bark, and the over all look of the meat it's self.
I copied this from someone that posted it here on the forum.
View attachment 717970

We probably will just disagree on this one but I respect your opinion. Mine is that 90% of the entries would look just like that if brisket were the subject matter. It allows no room for uniqueness between entries.

 

[chopsaw]

Aside from the plating judging also takes into consideration difficulty of the dish and execution.

Viewers choice normally votes for a picture , or follows the volume of votes . That's fine . but people don't always make the right choice .

Used to be an admin vote decided one of the prizes . That way as you say other things are considered , and the point system evens out the picture effect .
I'm not sure it's like that anymore , but maybe since Brian is running it again it will go back to that .

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

I personally enjoy the TD’s and enter when time allows… sometimes life is just too busy… Sad, but true. Not just for me but for everyone.

That being said, again… I enjoy them. I have also learned a lot from them. I am not the best cook or photographer… but the ones on this forum that are… have helped me up my “game”.

I will continue to enter and learn from the best on this forum. I look at it like this… I am going to cook anyway… so why not toss my hat in the ring!

That all being said… my hats off to the talent we have on this forum. We truly have some of the best cooks on here and literally learn something new almost daily.

Just an old rednecks opinion!

 

[912smoker]

I personally enjoy the TD’s and enter when time allows… sometimes life is just too busy… Sad, but true. Not just for me but for everyone.

That being said, again… I enjoy them. I have also learned a lot from them. I am not the best cook or photographer… but the ones on this forum that are… have helped me up my “game”.

I will continue to enter and learn from the best on this forum. I look at it like this… I am going to cook anyway… so why not toss my hat in the ring!

That all being said… my hats off to the talent we have on this forum. We truly have some of the best cooks on here and literally learn something new almost daily.

Just an old rednecks opinion!

Exactly Justin.
I always enjoy them and plan to enter but somehow never take time to. Work won't allow me to cook much during the week lately but I'm at it every weekend.
I've learned a lot from the others and definitely need to work on my plating and photo skills(or lack of) but will enter the next TD without fail.

Keith