Curry contest checklist: what to arrange and when

A curry contest needs more than recipes and willing cooks. You have to set the format, recruit judges, register participants, divide teams and prepare a separate cooking station for each group. The final days are mostly about ingredients, dietary requirements, equipment and clear judging materials. Use this checklist to keep the competition moving from the first invitation to the final tasting, without discovering on the day that you are short of pots, tasting spoons or chilled storage.

Use this plan

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Confirm date and location
2 people
Define the competition format
2 people
Approach jury members
2 people
Draw up the competition rules
2 people
Create registration form
Send invitations
2 people
Ask about catering preferences
Collect dietary requirements
Register participants
2 people
Assign teams
2 people
Confirm participants
Assign cooking stations
2 people
Prepare the jury evaluation
2 people
Design ballot papers
Order prizes
Check the shopping list
2 people
Do the shopping
3 people
Check stock of non-perishable products
2 people
Chill fresh ingredients
2 people
Divide ingredients among teams
3 people
Assemble Race Packets
2 people
Clean the venue
3 people
Stock the refrigerators
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up cooking stations
5 people
Test cooking equipment
2 people
Prepare ingredients per station
4 people
Lay out crockery and cutlery
2 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set up the buffet and tasting stations
3 people
Hang up decorations
2 people
Place information signs
2 people
Prepare the jury table
2 people
Conduct a safety check
2 people
Give volunteers a briefing
2 people

Event

Receive participants
3 people
Register participants
2 people
Explain the competition rules
Start the cooking round
Stock the cooking stations
3 people
Collect kitchen waste
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Inform the audience
2 people
Guide the jury
2 people
Serve curry portions
5 people
Hand out tasting spoons
3 people
Hand out judging forms
Collect audience votes
2 people
Carry out dishwashing rounds
3 people
Restock the buffet
3 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Check results
2 people
Announce the winners
2 people
Present prizes
2 people
See off the last visitors
2 people

Aftercare

Pack leftovers safely
3 people
Clear the cooking stations
4 people
Sort waste
3 people
Wash dishes
4 people
Clean kitchen equipment
3 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Remove decorations
2 people
Drain coolants
2 people
Inventory materials
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Distribute leftover food
2 people
Return waste containers
2 people

What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 70
Judges' table
Buffet tablesqty 3
Cooking tablesqty 10
High tablesqty 6
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Soup bowlsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 60
Knivesqty 90
Forksqty 90
Spoonsqty 90
Serving spoonsqty 30
Tasting spoonsqty 300
Serving plattersqty 30
Measuring cupsqty 10

Equipment

Induction hobsqty 10
Gas burnersqty 4
Large cooking potsqty 12
Snack pansqty 12
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 10
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kitchen scalesqty 10
Power stripsqty 8
Extension cordsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 20
Chef's knivesqty 20
Vegetable peelersqty 10
Colandersqty 10
Mixing bowlsqty 20
Ladlesqty 20
Spatulasqty 20
Pliersqty 12
Oven mittsqty 12
Kitchen thermometersqty 10
Aluminum foilqty 6
Cling filmqty 6
Serving tongsqty 20
Waste binsqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 14
Name card holdersqty 20
Competition postersqty 8
Prize trophiesqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Washing-up bowlsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 6
Spongesqty 20
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Vacuum cleaner

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the date, venue and competition format before inviting anyone. Decide how many teams you can accommodate, how long cooking will run and whether teams bring ingredients or receive a shared set.
Contact jury members at least 3–4 weeks ahead, then send the rules and evaluation criteria before registration closes. Print one ballot paper per judge for every curry, plus a few spare copies.
Close registration 7–10 days before the contest and collect dietary requirements at the same time. Confirm the final participant list, assign teams and tell each team its cooking station before the event week.
Check non-perishable stock 3–5 days beforehand and shop for fresh ingredients 1–2 days before cooking. Chill fresh food promptly, divide ingredients by team and keep backup coolers available if refrigerator space is limited.
Set up cooking tables, induction hobs or gas burners, large pots and measuring equipment before participants arrive. Keep tasting spoons, serving spoons, plates and bowls at the judges’ and buffet tables, rather than making teams share them during cooking.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a curry contest?: Start 4–6 weeks before the event. Confirm the date and location first, then approach judges, publish the rules, open registration and order prizes before the final week.
How many judges do I need for a curry contest?: Plan for at least 3 judges for a small contest, with one ballot paper per judge for each entry. Add a fourth judge if you expect more than 10 curries or want a tie-breaker.
When should I buy ingredients for a curry contest?: Check pantry stock 3–5 days in advance and buy fresh ingredients 1–2 days before cooking. Chill perishable items immediately and divide them into team portions on the day before, or on the morning of the contest.
How many cooking stations do I need?: Prepare one complete cooking station per team, including a cooking table, heat source, large pot or pan, measuring cups and access to chilled storage. Set up all stations at least 60 minutes before cooking starts.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.