General Question for Festival Coordinators re: Judging

Cecilia_MD7a · March 26, 2008

Hi, everybody - I am the coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic festival (MAGTAG), which will be held for the third time this August. We have not come up with an acceptable way to judge our tomato-tasting contest, and I was wondering how those of you who hold other tomato fests handle the situation. The problems we run into are that the tomatoes that are most prolific, as well as those that are brought to the festival earlier in the day, receive the most samples, and therefore, the most votes. How do we tally the results of our tasting so that they aren't skewed toward these varieties? I've considered having local "celebrity" judges, but everybody enjoys voicing their opinions and I would hate to take that opportunity away from them.

The other problem is that I am usually the only one calculating the results, and it takes a long time before we can announce the winners!

Any suggestions (or examples from your tastings) would be greatly appreciated.

- Cecilia

March 26, 2008	#1
Cecilia_MD7a MAGTAG™ Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 400	General Question for Festival Coordinators re: Judging Hi, everybody - I am the coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic festival (MAGTAG), which will be held for the third time this August. We have not come up with an acceptable way to judge our tomato-tasting contest, and I was wondering how those of you who hold other tomato fests handle the situation. The problems we run into are that the tomatoes that are most prolific, as well as those that are brought to the festival earlier in the day, receive the most samples, and therefore, the most votes. How do we tally the results of our tasting so that they aren't skewed toward these varieties? I've considered having local "celebrity" judges, but everybody enjoys voicing their opinions and I would hate to take that opportunity away from them. The other problem is that I am usually the only one calculating the results, and it takes a long time before we can announce the winners! Any suggestions (or examples from your tastings) would be greatly appreciated. - Cecilia