One of the best ways to cook your food is to fire up the grill with your friends and family. Not only does a grill make your food taste delicious, but the sense of accomplishment you feel afterward is invaluable.
However, if you want to take your passion for grilling to the next level, you might want to try entering a charcoal grilling competition. Here is your guide on competition charcoal grilling: controlling the heat.
Search for Events Near You and Sign Up
Before you can enter an event, you need to search for grilling contests nearby that are taking applicants. Take a look through your local newspaper to see if there are any upcoming events.
If you can’t find any, you can join BBQ networks that will help you find competitions, learn which dates they take place, and discover how much it costs to enter. If you are a first-time competition griller, you should enter in the “patio” or “backyard” section because these divisions cost less to enter and are less competitive than the professional division. Once you find an event and sign up, it’s time to start preparing!
Prepare for the Competition by Becoming a Judge
After entering a competition, you need to start planning how you want to grill and which meal you want to prepare. If you want to get a better feel for the competition, you can become a judge for a grilling competition before you enter.
Still, you need to become certified, typically by taking a judging class that lasts one day. These classes fill up quickly, so don’t hesitate if you want to sign up. Judging a contest gives you a competitive advantage and increases your familiarity with the rules of the event.
Plan Your Grilling in Advance
Planning your grilling in advance is the key to a successful submission, so start thinking about it early. Start by creating a timeline of what you need to do at home and how long each step will take during the competition, then start practicing so you can get a feel for it.
A helpful tip for saving time during the contest is to trim all your meat at home—just make sure the contest you enter allows this. Cutting your meat at home saves time during the event and lets you focus on grilling instead of preparing.
Next, make a supply list of everything you need, and when you go to the event, only bring the items on that list. Using sustainable charcoal gives you a more consistent temperature for cooking, so be on the lookout for that. By preparing your meal and deciding the flavor in advance, you prevent yourself from any last-minute changes that could affect your performance.
Overall, try to keep your setup as simple as possible to save yourself the hassle. If you follow these tips, you will be an expert on competition charcoal grilling: controlling the heat.