So you’ve “mastered” the art of making competition quality brisket, ribs, chicken, pulled pork, whole hog, etc, etc etc and want to take it from your backyard to a contest?? EXCELLENT!? You are making a very exciting, challenging, rewarding and FUN decision.? Before you get started there are a few things (in my opinion) that you should know to make the first (or your next) experience the best it can be.

I’m sure my counterparts are going to have lots of their own thoughts on this topic – but from my point of view, this post includes all the beginning basic “stuff” needed to know in order to succefully make it through a BBQ contest.

Cooking in a BBQ contest can be extremely fun, but if you have never done it, trust me – there are things that will be forgotten/not thought of that can take the fun meter down anywhere from just a bit to making your event completely miserable.? I intend to make it so this doesn’t happen to you! (at least the miserable part)

First – learn this list, memorize it, make sure you have all of it or can get it and have it ready for when you organize your gear for the contest. This PNWBA list (even though we typically compete in the KCBS it is ideal) will save you a TON of heart ache: Event Checklist

Once you have everything in your possession, you’ll want to start thinking about organizing it.? If you are lucky enough, all of these items will mostly be for contest use only, rather than moving back and forth between the kitchen and contests for instance.? What kind of vehicle will you be traveling in?? A truck?? A van?? It will make the loading and unloading process of all the equipement if you cater your organization around how it will travel.? Choose the right containers, bags, whatever that make the most sense for you.?

When you start packing your gear, put like items together for easy unloading and finding when you need it.? All of the food touching equipment (knives, forks, tongs, etc) should go together.? All the spices should go together.? All the BBQ and handyman tools should go together.? I recommend labeling the containers (we use stackable totes like this one here) and trying to keep the equipment in these containers when not in use so it’s always there.? We at least follow this rule during the season…this way we are really only going through the checklist at the start of the season and then inventory it at the end of the season.? YES?- after many seasons we still use the same checklist above.