| Competition BBQ has grown in popularity over the | | | | rarely seen in a more focussed light, with hundreds, |
| last two decades to become in many cases both a | | | | and in some cases, thousands of entrants and |
| spectacle and a source of open competition where | | | | visitors from many different states of the U.S.A. |
| entrants from the locality of the event, and some | | | | resulting in new friendships that span the globe. |
| from much farther afield, come together to cook the | | | | Some competition BBQ's are on such a large scale, |
| best BBQ possible in order to win a prize. | | | | that entrants and visitors will attend from all over the |
| Competition entrants usually start to arrive at the | | | | World where the prizes at stake are as high as $30k |
| event mid-afternoon the day prior to the judging of | | | | dollars, and this is where the competition is at its |
| the event, and pay a fee to participate in the | | | | most challenging for the entrants. |
| competition. | | | | Of course, not all competitions are on such a large |
| There is a great incentive to take part in a BBQ | | | | scale, and many are localised to smaller towns |
| competition as many of them offer prizes that reach | | | | allowing budding BBQ chefs to participate in a slightly |
| into thousands of dollars. Prizes aside, many of those | | | | more relaxed environment that is slightly more |
| who enter the competition do not necessarily do so | | | | leisurely but just as rewarding and enjoyable as larger |
| for the money, but rather the feel of both | | | | ones. |
| camaraderie and the thrill of competing against other | | | | All manner of foods are cooked by the BBQ |
| talented BBQ chefs. | | | | competition entrants, from pulled pork, beef brisket, |
| Despite the competitive nature of BBQ competitions, | | | | ribs, chicken and lamb. The only real necessity for |
| the underlying feeling at one is often quite | | | | someone who is new to taking part, is that the |
| light-hearted in nature, and participants always end up | | | | recipe that they intend to use should be very well |
| having a great time socialising and taking part in an | | | | rehearsed and practised before the day. |
| enjoyable atmosphere with like-minded people. | | | | In the next part of this article, we will take a look at |
| Barbecue is fun after all, and is rarely taken too | | | | how to get involved and how to carefully prepare |
| seriously which is a good thing. | | | | your ultimate BBQ recipe for your first BBQ |
| The great tradition of cooking American-style BBQ is | | | | competition. |