We're now 4 episodes in to BBQ Champ and whilst it is everything I detest about TV Cooking Competition shows , I can't help myself and I feel compelled to catch up each week on itv player. My biggest gripe , like many others, would probably be with the format and particularly the judges and judging system. I think a lot could be learned by visiting Grillstock and seeing the system there. When I first saw their judging system , I thought it was dubious but over the years I have grown to love the way that it is entertaining to the spectators and even allows them an opportunity to taste some of the turn in dishes as they are judged. Ray Lampe [AKA Dr. BBQ], is an excellent host and master of ceremonies. His charismatic personality and knowledge of BBQ would have been so much more entertaining than Richman and Blatchford. My other concern though would be the way that contestants in the show have been judged in the BBQ forums by fellow cooks. It is easy , from the comfort of ones own armchair, to shout about somebody making what we all know are elementary mistakes but the pressure of being in front of the camera for the first time is high. I have met and know several of the competitors and can honestly say they are all really nice people who love BBQ deeply. This does not necessarily come out on the show due to editing and scripting. There may or may not be pre determined winners but if that is so, please remember that it is the TV production company who will have decided who that may be and not the contestants themselves. I guess what I'm trying to say is '' Hey guys. let's not be hurtful to our fellow barbecuers. We all gain more by being nice to each other and less judgemental''. Those who think that they are better cooks than those on the show can easily enter one of the many BBQ competitions around the UK and Europe and see how they fair. Those wishing to judge can take the KCBS judging class [available at Walthamstow Grillstock Festival] and there after judge at competitions. It may also be an idea for people to get together to organize their own ''backyard competitions'' with their own judges to get a feeling for competitive BBQ. It is amazing how much you can forget and how many elementary mistakes you can make when under the pressure of competition and time constraints.