I don't have this competition thing all figured out just yet, but I working on it.
I make a binder for each comp. In it goes the Cooks Information Packet, my equipment checklist, blank paper for notes, and most importantly my timeline, which is an Excel spreadsheet. The timeline includes every detail for the weekend, from setting up the cook site to breaking down and packing up.
While I've done this quite a few times now, and I know all the steps by heart, having the small details scheduled ensures that nothing gets forgotten. For instance, when to put the brisket sauce on the smoker to warm up. That's an easy one to forget when you're in the thick of things during turn ins.
I usually cook with only one assistant, and with the quality of the competition these days, it seems you can't afford to miss even one small detail.
