Tips On How To Get Started In Competition BBQ

When planning your first-time BBQ Cooking Contest... there are a few tips you might want to know.

If you are thinking about entering a BBQ Competition Cooking Contest, you need to start making plans right away. Don't wait until a few weeks before. You can check the KCBS, the MBN or your local BBQ Network to see what contests are coming up and find out more information about the costs and the dates from them.

Unless you are dealing with a big bbq contest - like Memphis In May BBQ Cooking Contest - these contests don't usually fill-up and they will take applications as late as the week before... but you still need time to collect the money, build a team and start practicing.

Believe me, it takes more planning than you would expect... and no matter how long you have been cooking BBQ it's always a good idea to do a few practice runs so you will be in-sync with the turn-in times of the cooking contest.

For anyone interested in judging BBQ Cooking Contests (which I recommend to anyone who is currently competing, interested in competing or just wants to eat some of the best BBQ on the planet) you need to get your name on the list as soon as possible.

Most BBQ Cooking Contests fill-up their judging requirements pretty fast... so as soon as you decide you want to judge a specific BBQ contest you need to email the judge's contact ASAP. (you can find up-coming contests in your area and the judge's contact info by visiting BBQ network websites.)

It took us a few years to start winning... and this is one of the first contests where we took home several trophies (2004)

Same thing goes for judging school. No reputable BBQ Cooking Contest is going to let you judge unless you have been certified (and you can get certified by attending a 1-day judging class). So if you want to become a BBQ judge, go to the BBQ network website and sign-up for one of their judging classes. These classes typically fill-up quick too... so if you're interested you need to get on it.

If the BBQ contest offers a "backyard" or a "patio" section... enter that division. It usually costs less, usually doesn't require you to do quiet as much as the professional division and it will let you get a feel for competing without having to invest too much money.

A Few Words To The Wise...

I don't care how amazing your grandpa's BBQ sauce is... or how mouth-watering everyone told you your ribs are... the guys in the professional division have spent years perfecting everything - all the way down to how to place the BBQ in the turn-in box. You ain't going to beat them your first time out because there is so much more that goes into competition BBQ that you probably realize.

I suggest entering the "patio" division and then making friends with guys in the professional division... ask them questions, stand outside their tents and watch them give their presentations to the judges... and just get a feel for what the contest is all about.

Believe me, it's cheaper to make your mistakes and work-out your kinks in the amateur division than it is in the professional division.

Competition BBQ Information

Looking to enter a competition BBQ close to you?

Wanting to become a judge?

Maybe you just want to attend a local BBQ competition and see what it takes for the teams to win... Here is all the information you need to:

• Find BBQ competitions in your area
  
  
• Find the different BBQ Competition networks and associations
  
  
• Find out how to attend judging school or start judging BBQ contests
  
  
• Network with and talk to other professional BBQ'ers to learn the ropes and improve your product
  
  

Here are a few resources we have that can help you get started with Competition BBQ

• Supply Checklist for Competition BBQ Cooks
  
  
• KCBS Competition Cooking Time Line
  
  
• What You Need To Know About Building A Blind Box
  
  
• Competition BBQ Networks and Associations
  
  
• List of Competition BBQ Cooking Events and Locations
  
  
• Competition BBQ Blogs, Forums and Helpful Information