Barbecue Contest Shopping List

A barbecue contest needs more than meat and grills. You will need separate supplies for cooking stations, judging, serving, drinks, food safety and weather protection. Plan quantities around the number of competitors, judges and guests, then add a small buffer for breakages and spills. Refrigeration, gas cylinders, thermometers and serving platters are commonly forgotten until setup day, when replacing them is difficult.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Beer tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Buffet tablesqty 3
Judges' table
Work tablesqty 8

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 8
Gas cylindersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Core thermometersqty 6
Kitchen scalesqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 12
Chef's knives and meat knivesqty 12
Mixing bowlsqty 10
Pliersqty 12
Spatulasqty 10
Brushesqty 8
Aluminum traysqty 30
Heat-resistant glovesqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 6

Tableware

Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 20
Pouring jugsqty 8

Decorations

Competition bannersqty 3
Tableclothsqty 12
Participant signsqty 12
Trophiesqty 3
Name badgesqty 80

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Waste sorting binsqty 4
Cleaning spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 6
Bucketsqty 6
Broom setsqty 3
Asbestos-resistant binsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 80 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Pork satay - 60 pieces
- Pork belly slices - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Garlic bread - 8 pieces
- Potatoes - 10 kg
- Corn cobs - 40 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 3 kg
- Red onions - 3 kg
- Tomatoes - 4 kg
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Mixed salad - 2 kg
- Potato salad - 5 kg
- Pasta salad - 5 kg
- Coleslaw - 4 kg
- Herb butter - 1,5 kg
- Cheddar slices - 2 kg
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Fried onions - 4 bags
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 3 liters
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1,5 liters
- Chili sauce - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kg
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 150 grams
- Smoking wood - 4 bags
- Charcoal - 30 kg
- Firelighters - 4 boxes
- Ice cubes - 20 kg
- Water - 60 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Lemons - 2 kg
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Meat trays - 80 pieces
- Food gloves - 4 boxes
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Allow one clearly marked workstation per competing team, with a cutting board, suitable knives, mixing bowls, tongs, spatulas, brushes and aluminum trays at each station.
Use at least one core thermometer per team if possible. Buy enough disposable or washable serving plates and platters for each judged entry, plus extra plates for tasting and general service.
Check gas cylinders before the contest and keep a spare cylinder available for every three active barbecues. Test extension cords and power strips before bringing them to the venue.
Plan cooling space for all raw meat before cooking and all drinks during service. Chill drinks several hours ahead, and keep raw meat refrigerated until it reaches the workstation.
For a four-hour contest, estimate two to three drinks per person in the first hour and one drink per person for each additional hour. Include drinking glasses, coffee cups, pouring jugs and enough coolers to keep them cold.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a barbecue contest?: Buy the competition meat, vegetables, sauces and any ingredients required by the rules. Add enough tasting portions for the judges and a 10% buffer for spills, failed cooks or late arrivals.
How many barbecue grills do I need for a barbecue competition?: Plan one barbecue for each competing team if teams cook independently. If two teams share a grill, allow extra cooking time and confirm that the grill surface and fuel capacity are large enough before registration closes.
How much meat should I buy for a barbecue contest?: Use the required entry size in the competition rules, then add 10% for trimming and preparation loss. Buy and refrigerate the meat at least one day before the contest when possible, rather than shopping on setup morning.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue contest?: For a four-hour event, budget two to three drinks per person during the first hour and one per person for each following hour. Add 10% extra, and chill the drinks several hours before guests arrive.

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