BBQ Auction Liability

[Boston Smoker]

A neighbor asked me if I'd be willing to offer up my BBQ services as an auction item for a charity event. Do I need to be concerned about liability here? I will be paying for all of the food myself and will receive no money for the cook. For me, it's just another chance to use my smoker and raise money for a good cause. I seem to recall there being a distinction between charging for food and cooking for free. Would love to get folks' opinion. Thanks in advance!

 

[ITBFQ]

Glad you asked this! At this very moment, I am planning the same kind of thing. Auctioning off a rib cooking class for two people as a fundraiser for the education foundation in my school district. Looking forward to the responses.

 

[Fire Flinger]

It wont be a problem, until it is a problem. Sadly there are lots and lots of people that just sit around trying to figure out how to make an easy dollar and they don't care who they take it from or what kind of scurrilous methods it requires. Talk to your attorney and your insurance company. Maybe you can purchase a short term liability policy to cover your hiney. Maybe a signed release of liability from the winning bidder would work. But I worry about stuff like that. It may not be an issue at all.

 

[Boston Smoker]

I reached out to my insurance agent. He said that my Homeowner policy and umbrella policy would cover it given that it's not part of a business and I'm not making any money.

 

[kenthanson]

I've done this for my sons school for the past 2 years at the parents spring social. I put up a bbq party to feed 20 people. It's a private school and the money flies at these things so it makes decent money and to date neither winner has collected.

 

[Boston Smoker]

Interesting that nobody collected on either. I wasn't sure how many people to indicate on the auction description. I'm thinking that I'll smoke 2 pork butts for pulled pork, 2 racks of BB ribs and some chicken thighs. As sides, I was going to do some slaw, baked beans, pickles and corn bread. My initial estimate was for a party of 14. Does this number sound right? I'm thinking that there's be plenty left-over, but I'd hate to run out.

 

[Red Valley BBQ]

Interesting that nobody collected on either. I wasn't sure how many people to indicate on the auction description. I'm thinking that I'll smoke 2 pork butts for pulled pork, 2 racks of BB ribs and some chicken thighs. As sides, I was going to do some slaw, baked beans, pickles and corn bread. My initial estimate was for a party of 14. Does this number sound right? I'm thinking that there's be plenty left-over, but I'd hate to run out.

Last year I raffled off a seven course BBQ dinner for 8 as a fundraiser for a local charity. I did my competition recipes for chicken, ribs, pork and brisket. I also did an appetizer (moinks), a side (potato salad) and a dessert. It was very well recieved. The dinner took about 90 minutes to get through as I gave a brief chat between each course about what they were getting ready to eat.

It will be as fun as you make it. Enjoy showing off your skills.

 

[Teleking]

I think the term is personal chef that is the work around the liability. Contact the HD and ask about it.

 

[pjtexas1]

I reached out to my insurance agent. He said that my Homeowner policy and umbrella policy would cover it given that it's not part of a business and I'm not making any money.

My agent tells me the opposite. State Farm said as soon as any food leaves my property that they ain't covering it. So if I make cookies and take them to the office I can get sued. :tsk: the release of liability sounds good but how does that transfer to his neighbor that comes over for a plate of bbq?

Edit: get that in writing or an email.

 

[landarc]

It will vary by insurance company whether you're covered or not. You will have liability, and a claim against your homeowners insurance will never be free.

You will have some protection by having it stated that you are cooking for free, that you are not a professional cook and it is for a private party.