Hi Patrick,
Welcome to the forum, I think you will probably be having long chats with John Hargate (BBBQS National Champion and Jack Daniels UK Candidate). He also cut his teeth in BBQ whilst staying over in Texas and I think you are likely to have lots to chew over.
In terms of Judging, Toby Shea is the president of the society and it may be worth dropping him a mail (
toby@bbbqs.com). Our 2010 season in the UK has come to an end and we are eagerly awaiting the final BBBQS team comp at the Royal in Kansas City at the beginning of October and as mentioned above the UK National Champs mark the end of our international season at the JD Invitational at the end of October.
We have a UK head judge and there is some initial criteria that you may need meet, but personally I would have to say competing is much cooler than judging (No offence JW).
When are you due to land back in the UK?
Cheers
Adie