Entry Fees

For the payout it extremely high I would not do it myself unless it was to support a charity that I cared about then I would consider it a donation. I normally only do sanctioned competitions and the cheapest one I do is $125 and the most expensive being around $200. The payouts range from $1000 and up to the GC. If it were me I would make a donation to the charity (assuming there is a charity involved) and judge the contest.

Skip it...

If its KCBS categories... I know it takes me about $125 in meat/rub/charcoal/wood/sauce... that would be $225 + gas before awards...

Even winning that contest you aren't breaking even...

Why not?

Go for it! If you win something, you win something, if you don't, you don't. That's the price everybody pays when entering a competition. Whether it be sanctioned or not, there's no way anyone can predict if they would break even at a contest. THAT is out of the cooks hands and into the judges. It's local, I'm sure it will be fun, why not? You can have your family/friends come out, you get to cook, maybe try a new recipe or something along those lines. Sometimes you just gotta say, "What the fark?"

If you think that you will enjoy it, why not?

It is still less expensive than when I take my family of 4 to a Yankees baseball game or a Broadway show!

I can see that side, you are going to have fun... could spend that money in a lot worse ways.

I think of it a little like a casino, the money I spend, I consider spent already. I know I'm going to have a good time cooking/ gambling. At a casino I know there is a pretty good chance I'm giong home with nothing... but there is that slim chance I break even or win a little money.

For me, that small chance is where some of the fun comes from... not all, but some.

Cooter said:

I have thought of entering a tiny little local comp. It has a $100 entry fee, plus the meat and other expense. No sanctioning. GC prize is a $50 gift cert. to a local restaurant. Other "winners" get cheap trophy. I think about 10 teams competed last year, their first year to have the comp.

Entry seems high to me.

My ? is.... is this high or about right? What to the bigger/sanctioned comps cost?

Maybe I'll see about volunteering as a judge instead of cooking. Thoughts on that?

Thanks

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Well I just wish I could find some comps for $ 100 . here they range around $ 200 or better. But I say go for it , I would. For me I enjoy going out there and enjoying the weekend and fixing BBQ or what ever it might be. Its always nice to see old friends and make new ones. I look at it this way we are all family extended as we may be , so ist kinda like a family reunion for me in a way . Do I like to win you betcha but there is more to it than that to me. I am most comfortable around a pit or a camp site .

Most comps around here are $200-$250 range. I think it would be good practice and you'll most likely learn something and have fun.

If it were local and it was supporting the formation of a sanctioned comp, I'd do it.

Go for it why not!!?? You can practice all you want in your driveway for a sanctioned comp and still have no clue what you are going up against. Consider it a competitve practice and get a feel for what you need to have with you, what needs to happen and when, and what it is like with a bit of pressure on you.
If you can afford it go for it.

If proceeds go to a charity that you support, go for it. Otherwise, skip it.

Competition is fun but if there isn't even a chance of winning, what's the point?

We have backyard competitions here in Cali but we don't charge any entry fees. The prizes are apple pies, cookies and brownies and anything else that might get donated. We get to practice and the people in the neighborhood get fed. Everyone one is happy in that situation.

But to pay $100 for a chance to win $50 just doesn't make sense in my small mind.

The monies don't add up. If it were me I'd find something else.

Roo-B-Q'N said:

Go for it why not!!?? You can practice all you want in your driveway for a sanctioned comp and still have no clue what you are going up against. Consider it a competitve practice and get a feel for what you need to have with you, what needs to happen and when, and what it is like with a bit of pressure on you.
If you can afford it go for it.

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Hey when did you get the spicewine?????

I say, if it's for a charity, go for it. If it's for some guy trying to sell beer at his icehouse, tell him to fark himself and cough up some yen.

I'd want to know where the money is going first. S

My contests are sanctioned KCBS or IBCA
In 2008 they will run $125 to $225
Its is prize money based. $125 is a $2500 contest
We always do Peoples Choice where the teams can sell
lots of BBQ and end up making money

If the entry fee is $100 - and they only had 10 teams - that is only $1000 to run the contest. If you pay for a space to have the contest, some type of shelter for the judges, buy the clamshells, judging sheets, water for judges, rent tables, etc. you can easily outstrip that. I think it depends on what you are out to do. I say do it.... but as you will see, I am a BBQ hoe. Our cheapest contest is Greeley KS - it is $50 entry, and has a "buck a bone" component that goes to benefit the local charity there of your choice... Town and Country, the shelter, the School, the volunt. fire dept., etc.

They have ALOT of community involvement... so they get money for thier charities, and they get alot of prize money donated from local businesses. I have made $600 in prizes and gotten a reserve grand there. ( 30 teams usually)

I organize a contest in the winter in Melvern Lake. We charge $100 as well. All entry fees minus the cost of the site, etc. go to prize money. We get some things like Tel-Tru thermometers, knife sets, spices, etc. donated and use those for door prizes or additional place prizes. No ribbons or trophies... that would eat cash. Cash and braggin' rights is all we leave with. For example. We did a Dead A$$ Last award as well.

I think $100 is fair -- prizes are largely determined by # of sponsors donating money or product... and by the overhead of the contest.

Cook that sucker and get yourself some braggin rights. sometimes, beating your neighbor in the church parking lot is better than any amount of money.

I can think of a couple folks I love to go head to head with, and pick a contest just so one of us will have bragging rights til the next bout.

Thom runs premier type of contest. Being an organizer is not an easy job. Remember, generally its about the non profit not just the teams and organizer. When the Cooks, the organizer and the non profit all benefit, then that is a great contest.
Merl

Thom puts on a great contest and they are always a lot of fun!

ThomEmery said:

My contests are sanctioned KCBS or IBCA
In 2008 they will run $125 to $225
Its is prize money based. $125 is a $2500 contest
We always do Peoples Choice where the teams can sell
lots of BBQ and end up making money

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That is what I like about Thoms contests. Making money and having fun.