Barbecue judge dishes up secrets - Gainesville Times

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Barbecue judge dishes up secrets

Scot Howard marinades ribs in a mustard sauce, then applies his rub about an hour before cooking. His sauce is a 60:40 mixture of sweet and a hotter, vinegar-based sauce. "You're looking for a wow factor in one bite," Howard said. "Judges want heat - if you don't have it, you don't stand a chance." Howard also judges barbeque competitions. - photo by NAT GURLEY

0903bbq 11 — Scot Howard marinades ribs in a mustard sauce, then applies his rub about an hour before cooking. His sauce is a 60:40 mixture of sweet and a hotter, vinegar-based sauce. "You're looking for a wow factor in one bite," Howard said. "Judges want heat - if you don't have it, you don't stand a chance." Howard also judges barbeque competitions. - photo by NAT GURLEY

Scot Howard doesn’t just love barbecue. The Jefferson resident practically lives it. In the past year, the U.S. Postal Service worker has started a website ranking various barbecue restaurants across the South and earned his official barbecue judging certificate.