Tips On How To Get Started In Competition BBQ

If you are thinking about - or planning your first - BBQ Cooking Contest, there are a few tips that will make your life a little easier. And give you a good idea of what you can expect at the Competition BBQ Contest.

To get started, 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.

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.

Once you pick and bbq team name and submit an application for your first cooking contest, it's time to start planning...

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.

If you want to judge a BBQ Contest before you cook in one (which I highly reccomend), you need to become a certified jugde.

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... so if you're interested you need to get on it.

Once you've been certified, you can judge!

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.)

A Few Words To The Wise about Competing in Competition BBQ...

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.

That is why I always suggest entering the "patio" division and then making friends with guys in the professional division and ask them questions, 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? Want to become a judge?

Maybe you just want to attend a local BBQ competition and see what it takes for the teams to win. Either way, the first step is to Find BBQ Competition network or association in your area. Visit their website and view the list of up-coming judging classes and contests.