Competition Expenses

[swamprb]

I'm a backyarder, but I would like to try to do a comp. I've been snooping around and have some cookers and some accessories, but I downloaded a supply list from an organization and realized that I'm nowhere near equipped to do this on my own. The first comp in the area is the end of April so I still have time to find some needed equipment to get started. I probably will try to team up with someone else, but knowing what I'm describing can anybody give me an idea of what a typical comp costs you to do if you don't have to travel far from home? Entry fees, fuel, meat anything you can think of. I just like to be prepared!

[Plowboy]

Lettace & Parsley - $10-20 depending on number of entries and how much you use.

Sauce & rub/spices

Beer

But you hit the big three: fees, fuel, and meat.

[ole'e]

Entry 175
garnish 20
meat 90
fuel 50 depends
rubs 100+ yr
beverage and food 50

Hope this helps. With the comp meat we do not go overboard we usually cook 16 thighs, 3 slabs ribs 2 pork butts and 1 brisket.
Eric

[Plowboy]

I just realized that fuel could be two different things: Gas to get to the comp and fuel for the cooker. So don't forget wood, pellets, and/or charcoal that you may need to buy... or gas to get you there.

[SP]

Some contest have a backyard division. It only does chicken and ribs. Might be a way to go.

[Plowboy]

For things like rub, sauce, wood/charcoal, beer, food, etc... it really varies from contest to contest and cook to cook. Some cookers require more fuel than others or then there's summer months versus colder months.

Not trying to be a punk here, but you'll have to apply costs for those items for yourself based on what you are doing and how many people you ahve to feed.

Never forget the stuff it takes to feed people, too: cups, plates, napkins, plasticware. All that stuff adds up quickly and surprisingly.

[Bigmista]

We usually take a 40lb bag of lump for my barrel and 3 WSM's. We have yet to use a whole bag during a comp. Keep in mind that you won't use all of the stuff you buy in the first competitions. Something like a pack of 100 plates will last thru several competitions. Initial Expense will always be greater than what you spend on subsequent contest.

And learn from all of our mistakes. Don't go crazy trying to buy a lot of stuff for your first competition. Most guys will tell you that we all took too much stuff for our first comp.

[chad]

Tim and I usually have to drive a distance to compete -- we live 6 hours apart so one of us always gets to play road warrior!

We've determined that it runs us about $700 to $1000 per contest. Gas, entry fees, meat, other food, etc.

You don't have to have a HUGE list of "stuff". All you really need is what you usually use to cook -- unfortunately, you don't have your kitchen, garage, shed, etc. with you at a competition. That's the reason for the lists.

We always have a travel trailer or motor home with us. At Douglas, GA, we did the motel thing since we were assisting another team and didn't have to be on-site all the time. The actual costs came out about the same since we split the costs. You don't have to do this, but we travel far enough that we rarely break down and leave Saturday night - unless we are real close to one of our home (no farther than 90 minutes).

[Bigjim4x]

I would say the we spend somewhere around $500 to $750 per contest. We don't stay in hotel's we ruff it in a tent.

[Bigmista]

Originally Posted by Bigjim4x

I would say the we spend somewhere around $500 to $750 per contest. We don't stay in hotel's we ruff it in a tent.

We usually sleep in cars. We don't cook alot of meat either. 2 briskets, 2 butts, 3-4 racks of ribs and about 20 thighs. We usually cooka tritip for dinner and have fatties for breakfast. Gotta have a good bottle of bourbon for the chilly nights (hell for the warm ones too!). Ice and bottled water. None of us drink soda. The other guys drink those chewy nutty beers.

All the other stuff we either own or borrow (like the tables and EZ Up).

[swamprb]

Plowboy-When you say you need paper plates and utensils to feed people, who am I feeding? All the comps I've attended the public had to stand in line at a vendor? You guys have been great with the info-I'm not discouraged, just realized how clueless I am, theres a bigger picture I failed to connect with.

[HoDeDo]

We try to spend $500 per contest. Less when possible.
Meat - $100
Entry - $175
Wood/Charcoal - $25
Rubs - $25 ( if you are buying for one contest... bulk would be cheaper per contest obviously)
Garnish - $10
Booze - $40
Ziplocs, Gloves, foil, foil pans,other sundries.... $50
Gas/Diesel - $60 ( I figure 1 tank for the weekend for local contests)

[HoDeDo]

I have a spreadsheet I have posted out here before. I think others have too. You might do a search - or if you cant find any of them, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to send you my contest checklist.

[Bigmista]

Originally Posted by swamprb

Plowboy-When you say you need paper plates and utensils to feed people, who am I feeding? All the comps I've attended the public had to stand in line at a vendor?

You can have your friends at your booth and feed them. Like a party.

[cmcadams]

I'd guess we're in the $600-800 range, but that's party choice; My wife stays in a hotel room or she doesn't go, for instance.

But when you're starting out, you have other expenses - tables, canopies, tools that you may not have now, lights, etc. So the first one will be another $500 potentially, and gradually going down to nothing extra. It took until our 4th comp to realize we didn't have to buy any more equipment than what we had.