Nothing else is allowed in the judging carton. Each sample is passed around the table. The judges check for appearance, aroma, tenderness and taste. They also use their own personal criteria for judging. Each sample is scored from one to ten, with one being the low score, and the scores are recorded on the judging sheet.
Conversation ceases while judging is in progress.
Each judge is concentrating on the sample in front of him or her. A bevy of nice young ladies keep the judges' glasses charged with beer, tea, soda pop or water. No one goes dry. As the samples passed me, I recorded my scores. There were a couple of disappointments.