There is that matter of discretion though. We judges exercised it. We placed left-over samples in garbage-bag-sized doggie bags. No joke. We filled individual Hefty bags with left-over samples to take home.

But I have to admit, as much as I love barbecue, I was pretty well barbecued out by the contest’s end. I’ve even swore barbecue off for a while. Just a while, though.

Really, I had to. This was the first time I’d ever suffered what can only be described as a meat hangover.

Dean Poling is The Valdosta Daily Times assistant managing editor.