Competitions
Where it all began. After getting the bug from watching NZ’s first ever Barbecue Competition “Meatstock,” we decided that we would travel to Hamilton for BBQ Mania, as this was a short drive from Taranaki and throw ourselves into the deep end. So, we packed the car and trailer with everything we needed, and we headed off to give it a go. Let’s just say, at this comp we learnt a lot, had fun, and made a lot of lifetime friends. This is what BBQ Comp’s are about. (HAVING FUN).
Yes, it’s about testing yourself against the best over the selected categories for each competition eg: Pork (Pork Shoulder or Butt), Pork Ribs (St Louis/ Baby Back/ Spareribs), Brisket or Open Beef (Any cut of Beef), Chicken (Any Cut of Chicken) and sometimes Lamb (Any Cut). Setting up, preparing your meat and cooking it over Charcoal/ Wood for flavour, and all pushing yourselves towards the hand in time of 5min either side of the 0’Clock, in a small 9inch x 9inch, foam box, full of the well-manicured Parsley box, all ready for the mystery judging panel, which will then judge your food over a series of areas on the traditional ONE BITE CHALLENGE (Overall Appearance, Taste and Texture).
One thing I have learnt about Competition Barbecue, you have your good days, and you have your bad days. Some things you can control and some things you can’t as each piece of meat is different, each piece of wood or charcoal is different and the weather impacts on cook times etc. The results are just the cherry on the top, but competition Barbecue is about Family, Fun, testing yourself and the comradeship of this tight knit community, from all walks of life, doing one thing in common and that’s Barbecue.
Generally, there is a Barbecue competition once a month around New Zealand, which will have anywhere from 15-50 teams competing. Then on top of the NZBA Low n Slow Comp, we also have another competition which is the SCA comp’s, which is an individual competition, which you can go away and be creative with hand ins from the classic Steak to Chicken Wings, Gourmet Burgers or Cocktails.
So, if you ever want to give this a go, reach out to us, get in touch with someone on the NZBA Webpage or Facebook Page and give it ago. I can tell you first hand; you will enjoy the ride. If your Local in Taranaki, then come along and see it first hand at the “KING OF THE MOUNTAIN BARBECUE COMPETETION” which we hold every year in mid-August.
Have a look at some of our Hand in Boxes, awards and as we say, the Competition side for us wouldn’t happen, if we didn’t have the support from some great supporting partners. So where possible, go out and support these guy’s, as they are supporting us to grow Barbecue in Taranaki and in New Zealand. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to go away and compete.
