Cooking Competition and Awards!

#SunilFridayThought #Friday Thought 54

At a local club-level event of a cooking competition I was asked to be one of three-member-panel to judge the winning entries. To make sure they did not misunderstand my expertise, I had made abundantly clear that I had no formal or informal culinary training of any sorts and, related expertise, if any, was only in eating food. I was told that I was included as an "outsider" who could evaluate the appearance, garnishing, decoration, and quality of food just as an outsider would. Why would I refuse a chance to enjoy some tasty food? I willingly obliged.

We were briefed very well and were given a sheet telling us about some of the important things that should be considered. It was decided, that in case of a difference of opinions we should go by majority ruling. Three winners were to be declared among all the entries.

The event went very well. After the event, I joined the other two panel members to discuss the top three prizes. I was a bit surprised when the other panel members suggested that we meet after a couple of days to decide winners! I could imagine judges needing a couple of days to mull over an essay-writing or similar competition where reflecting on different participants and views may help you get better perspective. But all of us had just tasted the dishes and there were only approximately 30 entries! There was nothing for us to do as far as this competition is concerned for the next two days. I did not want to be an odd man out and agreed to their request to meet after a couple of days.

When we met the next time, we created the list of top six entries (Or should I say entrees - pun intended) pretty much unanimously. I didn't have any preference what-so-ever among those six and told the other two judges (who were older and also had more culinary expertise) to pick top three winners among those six. What I witness next was quite entertaining...

The discussions between them were on diverse topics about which of those six cooks have won awards in other competitions, which among those had won in previous years, how long the spouses of the competitors were connected with the association and so on. Probably two-days' gap was needed to get and analyze all this data!!! After furious discussions between them for about twenty minutes, they finalized top three winners. The best part comes the next! They told me to announce winners and the reasons why we had chosen those winners! When I asked them about the reasons that I should mention, they told me to mention the same points that we were asked to consider during briefing given to us. To make sure, I am up for it, they made sure that they compliment me for my speaking ability and skills (!) I did the honours as suggested by them but did not forget to mention that the other two were true experts and I gave more weight to their views in terms of finalizing the ultimate numbers.

The reason for telling this story is not to point out the imperfections and unfairness in the world. To some extent they would exists everywhere. More importantly there is a lesson for the people who did not get the awards and those who got them.

(1) Don't assume every judge to be an expert - I was not :) (2) Don't consider all the judges to be free of biases and the process to be infallible. It's made by humans after all (3) In spite all the imperfections, we had narrowed on top six entries almost unanimously. So while, imperfections may have decided who get those finally, they were definitely among the top six (4) The unpublished criteria may over rule published ones (5) And if you happen to get an award, you may not know how and why got it.

What's your views? Have you experienced something similar? Do write and share!

Sunil Bhave has written over 50 interesting articles, many of them before starting Friday Thought series. Read Sunil's previous articles. Sunil is an international certified executive coach and certified transformational leadership coach, Business and Strategy Consultant, Management Development Professional with specialization on creativity, innovation and transformations. He regularly conducts workshops and speaks at many forums.

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