Contest decisions

Lazybones · 09-12-2011, 04:40 PM

I'm starting to get into the competition scene after my first one last weekend and can't really figure out which cookoffs to sign up for. What makes for a good contest? Pot size, event size, proximity to home or just one that you know your friends will be at? Any other factors I'm not thinking of? I chose the Bedford cookoff a couple weeks ago because it was right down the street from my house and I ended up having a blast. It was more expensive than most of the other ones I've seen, but it was worth it for the good time.

Thanks for the help, guys.

Lake Dogs · 09-12-2011, 04:48 PM

It's really up to you and what you enjoy. I dont even consider unsanctioned comps. I dont really care about the size, but I do care that it's attended by very accomplished teams, because I enjoy the competition level. I would like to say that all the events going on around me, but truthfully I usually dont have the time to spend doing those things to appreciate them. Otherwise, the size of the pot matters.

However, that's me. Go to what you enjoy.

Sledneck · 09-12-2011, 04:52 PM

Contests that have free beer

afreemaniii · 09-12-2011, 04:55 PM

All of the above?

Cooking in Wisconsin, we don't have near the number of contests to choose from that a team from Kansas City does.
Location-We like to have contests close to home just to save on the gas money and will choose one of those over another if a choice has to be made.
Entry fee-Most contests charge about the same for an entry fee, so that doesn't play a role too often, but a handful of contests can be found on both ends of the cost spectrum.
Outside influence-Knowing which contests other cooks like also helps. If an experienced team has fun and enjoys the atmosphere, then you may as well. That kind of insight can help you avoid a contest that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
Prize pool-If there are two contests that charge about the same entry fee and one has a much higher prize pool than the other, then we'll choose the higher prize pot. It makes more sense for us to win more money if we can.

Hope this helps and good luck to you.

fnbish · 09-12-2011, 05:02 PM

We started out this year too and just got done with our 5th competition over the weekend. Initially we did some backyard competitions to keep costs down and have now mixed in some pro. Since we are rookies this year it is a lot about just going out and learning. We have gotten a few call and won a little prize money, but every dime spent so far has been worth the experience. But as the year goes on and next year comes our priorities are changing. First is was all fun and that will always be a part of it, but now we constantly look to improve.

None of that totally answers your question. Most competitions around here are KCBS and they all have been great (we have done a few backyard MBN). We do look for ones 2hrs or less drive time. A lot of the same teams compete and we are finally getting to know some of them. Mostly now it is just trying to learn and improve and from what I have experienced you can find help at all the competitions from the other teams.

That might not be a ton of help from a fellow rookie, but always glad to talk about this stuff. Never gets old.

Fat Freddy · 09-12-2011, 05:18 PM

A couple of other things we consider when entering contests
1) electrical hookups
2) water hookups
3) is Ice furnished----several contests do

Some contests are held in campgrounds while others are held on city squares and everywhere in between so I pay attention to these 3 things along with the other things mentioned by others

Butcher BBQ · 09-12-2011, 05:20 PM

This was pointed out to me a little while back in time and I have used it to gauge the importance factor of a contest to me. Take the cash payouts for a 3rd place finish in a category and see if it equals your entry fee.

I also after cooking a contest a few times decide that area likes or dislikes my flavors I use.

QueNivorous · 09-12-2011, 06:06 PM

At the start of each year we look at entry fee, plus fuel cost, plus meat cost, etc as a ratio to total prize money. Then after playing with that we usually toss it and go where we think we will have the best time. Once you've done a few you find the ones you like and don't go back to those you don't like. We call it voting with our dollars!

PimpSmoke · 09-12-2011, 06:27 PM

If I have to choose between two or more on a weekend, it comes down to reps and organizers and which I know run a good comp.

boogiesnap · 09-12-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledneck

Contests that have free beer

um, where are those?

tmcmaster · 09-12-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledneck

Contests that have free beer

Which one is that?!?!?!??!

Goddahavit · 09-12-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmcmaster

Which one is that?!?!?!??!

BBQ for a cure in hatfield...

I Had a blast, LOL

smknwhlswife · 09-12-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogiesnap

um, where are those?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmcmaster

Which one is that?!?!?!??!

Boston Hills NY!!! One of the best!

Coz · 09-12-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogiesnap

um, where are those?

Minnesota in May gave away a bunch of free beer at the cooks meeting !

jbrink01 · 09-12-2011, 09:41 PM

Until this year it never really mattered, but I now look at distance, payouts (thanks for the above insight Dave), and KCBS rep. There are 2 reps that I will avoid like the plaque!!! There are also 4 that I'd travel near or far to cook with!

09-12-2011, 04:40 PM	#1
Lazybones On the road to being a farker Join Date: 09-06-11 Location: D/FW, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Contest decisions I'm starting to get into the competition scene after my first one last weekend and can't really figure out which cookoffs to sign up for. What makes for a good contest? Pot size, event size, proximity to home or just one that you know your friends will be at? Any other factors I'm not thinking of? I chose the Bedford cookoff a couple weeks ago because it was right down the street from my house and I ended up having a blast. It was more expensive than most of the other ones I've seen, but it was worth it for the good time. Thanks for the help, guys.

09-12-2011, 04:48 PM	#2
Lake Dogs Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-14-09 Location: Lake Sinclair, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's really up to you and what you enjoy. I dont even consider unsanctioned comps. I dont really care about the size, but I do care that it's attended by very accomplished teams, because I enjoy the competition level. I would like to say that all the events going on around me, but truthfully I usually dont have the time to spend doing those things to appreciate them. Otherwise, the size of the pot matters. However, that's me. Go to what you enjoy. __________________ Hance - Lake Dogs Cooking Team - MiM/MBN/GBA CBJ and comp cook Lake Sinclair, GA (strategically about an hour from everywhere)

09-12-2011, 04:52 PM	#3
Sledneck is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-04-05 Location: Wantagh, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Contests that have free beer __________________ BBQ Illuminati Blog Disclaimer: The poster does not take any responsibility for any bad feelings or sense of exclusion that the reader of this post may have-whether real or imagined. Reading threads poses inherent risks. The poster of this thread would like to also remind readers to make sure they have a functional sense of humor before they visit any discussion board.

09-12-2011, 04:55 PM	#4
afreemaniii Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-16-08 Location: Madison, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	All of the above? Cooking in Wisconsin, we don't have near the number of contests to choose from that a team from Kansas City does. Location-We like to have contests close to home just to save on the gas money and will choose one of those over another if a choice has to be made. Entry fee-Most contests charge about the same for an entry fee, so that doesn't play a role too often, but a handful of contests can be found on both ends of the cost spectrum. Outside influence-Knowing which contests other cooks like also helps. If an experienced team has fun and enjoys the atmosphere, then you may as well. That kind of insight can help you avoid a contest that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Prize pool-If there are two contests that charge about the same entry fee and one has a much higher prize pool than the other, then we'll choose the higher prize pot. It makes more sense for us to win more money if we can. Hope this helps and good luck to you. __________________ Freeman Brothers BBQ Me-Aubrey Brother-Pete Gear: 1-SS-Two by Superior Smokers 1-BWS Party Guru Pitminder and Stoker system

09-12-2011, 05:02 PM	#5
fnbish is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-10-11 Location: Buford, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We started out this year too and just got done with our 5th competition over the weekend. Initially we did some backyard competitions to keep costs down and have now mixed in some pro. Since we are rookies this year it is a lot about just going out and learning. We have gotten a few call and won a little prize money, but every dime spent so far has been worth the experience. But as the year goes on and next year comes our priorities are changing. First is was all fun and that will always be a part of it, but now we constantly look to improve. None of that totally answers your question. Most competitions around here are KCBS and they all have been great (we have done a few backyard MBN). We do look for ones 2hrs or less drive time. A lot of the same teams compete and we are finally getting to know some of them. Mostly now it is just trying to learn and improve and from what I have experienced you can find help at all the competitions from the other teams. That might not be a ton of help from a fellow rookie, but always glad to talk about this stuff. Never gets old. __________________ -Jason 22.5 WSM Backwoods G2 Party Backwoods G2 Chubby Big Green Egg XL Weber 18.5 Kettle "Tenacious Q" Competition Team Follow Tenacious Q on Facebook!! KCBS CBJ

09-12-2011, 05:18 PM	#6
Fat Freddy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-31-10 Location: Albert City, Iowa Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A couple of other things we consider when entering contests 1) electrical hookups 2) water hookups 3) is Ice furnished----several contests do Some contests are held in campgrounds while others are held on city squares and everywhere in between so I pay attention to these 3 things along with the other things mentioned by others

09-12-2011, 05:20 PM	#7
Butcher BBQ is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-03-07 Location: Chandler,OK Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This was pointed out to me a little while back in time and I have used it to gauge the importance factor of a contest to me. Take the cash payouts for a 3rd place finish in a category and see if it equals your entry fee. I also after cooking a contest a few times decide that area likes or dislikes my flavors I use. __________________ www.ButcherBBQ.com "Trust Your Butcher" Often Imitated, but never Duplicated

09-12-2011, 06:06 PM	#8
QueNivorous On the road to being a farker Join Date: 02-15-11 Location: Del Rio, Tennessee Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	At the start of each year we look at entry fee, plus fuel cost, plus meat cost, etc as a ratio to total prize money. Then after playing with that we usually toss it and go where we think we will have the best time. Once you've done a few you find the ones you like and don't go back to those you don't like. We call it voting with our dollars! __________________ QueNivorous Jambo J-3, Jambo Backyard, Backwoods Party, Backwoods Chubby, Custom Offset, WSM, and a Primo Oval XL.

09-12-2011, 06:27 PM	#9
PimpSmoke is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-28-06 Location: Tha' Boo Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If I have to choose between two or more on a weekend, it comes down to reps and organizers and which I know run a good comp. __________________ So here we are in my paisley crib, what you want to eat? "Ribs"...ah, Latoya, I don't serve ribs. Better be happy that dress is still on, I heard the rip when you sat down.

09-12-2011, 09:41 PM	#15
jbrink01 is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 08-17-06 Location: Washington, Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Until this year it never really mattered, but I now look at distance, payouts (thanks for the above insight Dave), and KCBS rep. There are 2 reps that I will avoid like the plaque!!! There are also 4 that I'd travel near or far to cook with! __________________ KCBS #13207 **2013 Insane Can Posse Tour** Sponsored By: *Gateway BBQ Store* *Blues Hog BBQ Company* *Plowboys BBQ Company*

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