A cook-off is a great way to bring friends together and eat delicious food at the same time.You and your guests will be able to show off your cooking skills.You will need to plan carefully because a lot of work goes into holding a cook off.Giving yourself plenty of time, as well as budgeting and coordinating carefully, will lead to an exciting and competitive cook off.
Step 1: Start early.
You should invite your friends and family to the cook off at least two weeks before you host it.They will know not to make other plans for the day of the cook off if they attend this way.
Step 2: It's up to you to decide what to serve.
You should decide what to serve before you invite guests.You can ask your guests to make a variety of dishes or you can hold a cook-off that only features one kind of dish.There are positives and negatives to both.It is easier to judge the dishes against each other if you only hold a cook off with one kind of dish.If you host a cook off with different dishes, it makes it harder to judge, but your guests will leave feeling good.Chili and barbecue are popular cook off foods.It is easy to make food that is tasty.If you don't want everyone to cook the same food, you can make categories like "sides", "en trees" and "deserts".
Step 3: Word of mouth is the best way to tell friends about a cookout.
Tell your friends and family that you see them at work, school or social events.Do you want to organize a cookout?Ask if they can make the cookout and give them the date.I am thinking of having a cookout on Saturday the 14th.If you could be there, it would be great.Do you think you will be able to come?
Step 4: Email and call friends you don't see often.
It's possible that you won't be able to see all your potential cookout guests in person.If you want to invite people but don't see them on a daily basis, email or call them.If they want to come, tell them about the cookout as well as the date and time you have in mind.
Step 5: Get your friends on board.
It's possible that your friends know people who are great cooks.When you are talking to friends and family, make sure to let them know you're interested in them.
Step 6: You can use a social message to get your message out.
To spread the word about your cook off, make a post on Facebook or another social media site.Even if you haven't spoken to all of your friends, you can still reach out through social media.I have a cook off scheduled for Saturday the 14th.If you want to keep the cook off small and you think you already have enough people coming, you can hold off on posting on social media.
Step 7: There are a couple of people to judge.
A judge is needed since the cook off is a competition.Someone who is a chef, restaurant owner, or has experience in the food industry can be found.You can give them an incentive, like a gift card or small amount of money, to judge the cook off.If you can't find anyone, you should have your guests cast their votes for their favorite dish.
Step 8: Pick a place.
The location of the cook off is an important decision.Since you will be able to prepare and set up in advance, it may be the most convenient location to host the cook off.You can see if anyone else is willing to host.You may want to keep the cook indoors.If the weather permits, consider doing a cook off outdoors.BBQ can only be prepared outdoors on a grill.It will be expensive to rent a space at a local venue to hold the cook off.
Step 9: You have to come up with an entry fee.
Most cookouts have an entry fee that you can use to cover costs.Since you are giving your guests a hot meal, this fee makes sense.The fee should be appropriate for the type of cook off you are planning.The fee for a small casual cook off should be around 15.You should consider charging more if it is a large event.
Step 10: The cost of the event should be calculated.
A cook off can cost a lot.How much will it cost to hold the cook off?Equipment and cooking supplies are included.There are several ways to cut the cost if you find that your estimate is higher than you can afford.You can save money by going to stores that sell in bulk.If you are worried about expenses, consider increasing your entry fee.
Step 11: Make sure you have the right equipment for the cook off.
The most common equipment used for cook offs are outdoor grills, crock pots, and portable heat sources.You can ask your guests to bring the equipment that they will need, such as a portable grill or a crockpot, so you don't have to provide them all yourself.
Step 12: Make sure you have everything you need.
Depending on your budget, you can either buy or ask your guests to bring other things.There are a lot of tables and chairs, paper plates, cups, utensils and napkins.These details are essential to the success of the cook off.Don't forget to buy condiments like mayonnaise or sour cream.You might want to give drinks like soda or alcoholic beverages.If you are providing cold drinks, you may want to buy a cooler and ice.
Step 13: You need to have access to outlets.
Plug in equipment like crockpots requires outlets.If you are far away from a power source, you can either buy extension cords or ask your guests to bring them.
Step 14: Send out invites.
Send out invitations by email or mail with the exact time, location and food that will be served now that you have all the information.Tell your guests what equipment they should bring.Guests who aren't cooking should bring snacks like chips, cheese and crackers.You can use online sites to send invitations and keep track of RSVPs.
Step 15: It is advisable to start at least two hours early.
Two hours before the event starts, begin setting it up.If you realize you are missing something, you can find a solution before the cook off starts.
Step 16: Run over the plan after meeting with the cooks.
When people arrive at the cook out, you want to talk to the chefs.Inform everyone who will be cooking everything they need to know.The start and finish times of the cooking could be included.
Step 17: The rest of the guests should be separated from the chefs.
Guests and judges don't want to see which chef makes which dish.Guests can mingle and talk while the chefs are cooking if you have drinks and snacks in a separate area.The entries will be anonymous.
Step 18: The beginning and end of the cooking should be signaled.
Making an announcement or blowing a whistle will signal the start of the cooking.Make sure the chefs have enough time to cook or warm up their dish.When the cooking period is over, blow a whistle.Check in with the chefs when you walk around to see if they have any questions or need more supplies.
Step 19: Allow more time for cooking on site.
Make sure to give your chefs enough time to cook their dishes.Depending on the dish they are cooking, how long it takes may be different.If the cooking is happening on site, having access to a kitchen is a good idea.
Step 20: Each crock pot has a label on it.
A number is given to each chef.After the cooking is over, have each chef put a sign in front of his or her serving container with the number of their dish and a brief description.There is a sign that could read "3: Spicy Red Bean Chili."Make sure the sign doesn't have their name on it.
Step 21: There are label plates.
Once the chefs have their number, have them divide their food into small serving containers so everyone can enjoy it.Make sure the containers are labeled with the chef's number.It will be easy for judges and guests to pick a favorite dish without knowing which chef cooked it.
Step 22: Let everyone eat.
No one can tell who cooked what if the chefs step away from their station.The judges should get the food immediately after it's cooked.The rest of your guests should receive food.
Step 23: Supervise the judges.
Let the judges know what rating system you want them to use.A scaled numbering system from one to ten works best.The judge should write down their scores and comments on the food.You can see what chef got the highest score by gathering these up.Give your guests a ballot where they can write down their favorite dish or dish if they are acting as the judges.
Step 24: The winner of the cook off should be announced.
The chef should announce which dish they cooked after everyone has eaten.The winner of the cook off will be revealed.Mention the scores of the top three chefs, and read any comments that the judges or guests have left for them.The best place to left this is at the end of the event.
Step 25: Thank everyone for coming and give away prizes.
Prizes will be given to the top two or three winners.Make sure the prizes you are giving out are appreciated by everyone.If you can't think of anything that your contestants would appreciate, gift cards are a good thing to give.Good wine or artisan olive oil could be given away.After the cook off is over, thank your guests for coming.Thank your judges for their time and let your chefs know that you appreciated their hard work.Everyone should take their equipment and supplies home so they don't have to come back later.
Step 26: Clean up.
You will have a lot of work to do after the cook off.Ask your friends if they can help you if you feel comfortable.Some people will volunteer to help.It may be the least enjoyable part of the cook off, but you can feel good that you hosted a successful event.