British BBQ Society Forums

I think we should use astroturf

Only thing I would want is more of the same please
Extend the year to 5 or six events. One a month through the summer.

More thoughts from a Yank across the pond:

Here in Arizona, there are sometimes competitions that don't involve all 4 meats. An occasional ribs only, ribs and chicken, or brisket only comp. Perhaps you could add one or two of those (no points toward your national champion) a year. It might make it easier (certainly cheaper) for newbies or single person teams to get a taste (so to speak) of competition BBQ

Hi Mike. This to me seems to make perfect sense. More social events with a little competition...brilliant.

Looking at it from an organisation point of view though, a lot of the same costs would still be incurred so it may be hard to make these kind of events work. The difficulty we have over here compared to the US is that everything is more expensive but people don't necessarily see the value in things either. I've had friends tell me they think our standard entry fee is too expensive to attract people. They just don't think about what you get for the money. It's a cultural thing which means events need to appear to be good value. If it cost £100 to enter a rib cook off costs might be covered but people might think it's too expensive.

It's a difficult balance to strike.

I think the idea of smaller events is good, but I agree with Steve. I think the perception of value is very difficult to overcome. It could be balanced by cash prizes but ultimaty without sponsors that would need to be paid for out of the entry fee.

I had a similar conversation about costs this weekend. However, when you explain camping, meat, showers, are included and compare this to a weekend in a campsite it's more than comparable.

In addition and slightly off topic... Next year there are likely to be additional costs for electric and I am totally up for this. I would even pay an extra fee for pitch sizes. That way if people do have a gripe about my pitch size it's all bought and paid for and is not sacrificing or encroaching onto someone elses allocation.

I think what people need to understand from a setup point of view is the costs (loss) for the organiser increase if the event is smaller, trophies, electric supply, facilities etc remain the same with a smaller amount gathered for entry

If we had 20 teams that competed regularly then potentially at £150 most of the costs would be covered. I wait with baited breath for someone to run a sanctioned BBBQS competition and see how it goes.

As was mentioned in another thread, I think that if we hold the proposed BBQ boot camp next spring, that should be a chargeable event, maybe holding a number of BBQ Boot camps (or classes) throughout the year might work as a fund raiser. We could focus on different aspects each time, different teams could hold the classes with profits going into the Society and a few quid for the team that runs the class unless they choose to do it for free.

If we promote a party atmosphere at the classes it may work well. Say as a suggestion, hold a chicken and ribs class at Minley, costs £50 per person, you get your BBQ lesson, you get to eat the end product and you're free to camp in the paddock if you want to stick around for the evening and spend some time with some BBBQS competitors and have a drink or two. A cooking lesson plus meal for £50 is a fecking bargain, anyone could see that.

I'd be happy to hold some of the classes and hang around to socialise with the students afterwards. We could also explain competition BBQ to people and encourage more competitors too.

Just a thought...

I am working on a series of classes for next year over and above the boot camp, just working out a full schedule, next years going to be busy and looking forward to it!

I appreciate that the big competitions are by necessity a 24 hour thing, and there is a certain amoung of fun to be had by camping out, but I am afraid my camping days are long behind me. So for me it would either be staying up all night, or finding a partner(s) willing to let me bugger off to the nearest travelodge!

Anyway, I would be particularly interested in the possibility of daylight-only events such as the chicken and ribs day that has been suggested.