LIVINGSTON – The University of West Alabama will host a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned barbeque judging class Saturday, Sept. 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Land Hall on the Livingston campus. The event will teach tasters to judge meats in four competition categories: chicken, ribs, pork and beef brisket. The barbeque, prepared on-site by KCBS competition cooks, will be evaluated for appearance, texture and taste.

Current KCBS members can attend the judging school for $55. An $85 registration fee for non-members includes a one-year KCBS membership and a subscription to the organization’s monthly newsletter. All participants receive a KCBS judging manual and official badge.

“A lot of the judges I’ve met use (certification) as a reason to travel, see different small towns around the country and be fed like royalty while they’re there,” said Stephen Liverman, Projects Coordinator of UWA’s Center for the Study of the Black Belt.

Experienced KCBS certified judges can also add to their credentials at the Table Captain’s class, held from 2 to 4 p.m. in Land Hall. Registration fee is $40.

UWA will host its Fourth Annual Sucarnochee BBQ & Blues Cook-off Nov. 4-5 and newly certified judges and Table Captains will be eligible to judge this event.

KCBS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque, is the world’s largest organization of barbeque and grilling enthusiasts with more than 14,000 members worldwide and sanctions more than 300 barbeque contests across the country. The organization provides a representative for each contest and an appropriate number of certified judges trained to judge world-class barbeque in a blind judging process.

The deadline to register for both classes is Sept. 12. For information or to sign up for either KCBS class, please contact Stephen Liverman at UWA’s Center for the Study of the Black Belt at 205-652-5405.