What you need for a barbecue contest

A barbecue contest needs more than meat and charcoal. You’ll need separate cooking equipment for the teams, chilled storage for raw ingredients, serving supplies for guests and small items for judging. This shopping list helps you prepare the competition area, food service and jury table without last-minute trips to the store. Check quantities against your number of teams, judges and guests before buying, especially for coolers, serving dishes, plates, cups and cutlery.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 50
Beer benchesqty 8
Tablecloth clipsqty 24

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 6
Meat thermometersqty 8
Coolersqty 8
Extension cordsqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Speakersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's knivesqty 6
Barbecue tongsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 10
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Aluminum traysqty 30
Measuring cupsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 50
Judging cupsqty 80

Decorations

Party flagsqty 6
Race numbersqty 12
Direction signsqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 4
Waterproof markersqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Safety

Fire extinguishersqty 3
Buckets of fire waterqty 4
Heat-resistant glovesqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3

Catering

Drink dispensersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice packsqty 24
Competition cupsqty 3
Prize tablesqty 2
Kitchen timersqty 6
Cash register case
Groceries
- Beef burgers - 60 pieces
- Grill sausages - 60 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Veggie burgers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- White sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Chicken satay - 4 kilograms
- Belly pork slices - 4 kilograms
- Beef chuck - 5 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Zucchini - 12 pieces
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Red onions - 3 kilogram
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Romaine lettuce - 8 heads
- Potato salad - 6 kilogram
- Coleslaw - 5 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 5 kilogram
- New potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Table salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Barbecue spices - 4 jars
- Cane sugar - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 2 jars
- Butter - 4 packs
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 3 kilograms
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Charcoal - 12 bags
- Firelighters - 6 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid starter gel - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan one barbecue, one meat thermometer and a pair of barbecue tongs for each competing team. Sharing these items slows the schedule and makes cross-contamination more likely.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for every additional hour. Chill drinks in the coolers before teams and guests arrive.
Buy or prepare separate serving containers for each judging entry, and have at least one jury dish per judge for each tasting round. Keep raw meat and cooked samples on different platters.
Provide one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. The spare sets cover dropped items and avoid running short during the busiest serving period.
Bring enough extension reels, tables and shade for the cooking area, and check the ground and power supply the day before. Late access to electricity or unstable barbecue positions can disrupt the first round.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a barbecue contest?: Buy the ingredients for each competition category, plus sauces, spices, vegetables and sides for serving. Plan portions by headcount and add 10% extra for tasting, mistakes and seconds; keep raw meat chilled until it is needed.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue contest?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for each following hour. Add extra water for hot weather and provide separate drinks for judges and teams so supplies are easy to reach.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets do I need?: Prepare one complete reusable set per guest, judge and team member, then add at least 10% spare. For judging, provide one jury dish per judge for every tasting round and keep clean replacements available.
When should I buy the food for a barbecue contest?: Buy shelf-stable ingredients, drinks and disposable or reusable serving supplies one to two days ahead. Buy fresh meat as close to the contest as practical, keep it refrigerated, and finish washing and cutting vegetables on the day.

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