Question about chicken

[Mike in Corpus]

In an IBCA sanctioned cookoff  is it legal to cook a whole spatchcocked chicken, and then cut it in half for turn-in? Also should the keel bone be removed?

[Lynn]

We don't care how you cook it - but the backbone is the only bone that is legal to remove from the chicken - at turn-in just make sure that there 1/2 fully jointed chicken turned in unless 2 are requested.

When you split the chicken you might want to try and get some color on area that is cut to where it doesn't look like a marked tray.

[Mike in Corpus]

Thanks, are judges also looking for "bite thru skin"?

[gmholler]

The judges use a knife and fork to sample."Bite thru" isn't really applicable, but I suppose most judges would prefer chicken skin that isn't rubbery, if they eat that. All they're encouraged to do is stick with the same kind of meat - i.e. if they judge an entry on its dark meat, judge ALL the entries on their dark meat as well.

You might want to come and judge a contest or help out with one to get a good idea of just what is and isn't entered...

Lynn H.

[Mike in Corpus]

Thanks again, you have all given great advise.