BBQ Competition
For Competing Teams
Everything you need to know about rules, judging, awards, and the day-of schedule for the 2026 Culpepper Cookout BBQ Competition.
What You're Playing For
Awards
Ribs
Best ribs as judged by the panel.
Wings
Best wings as judged by the panel.
People's Choice
Voted on by every ticketed guest at the event.
Grand Champion
Combined score from Ribs, Wings, and People's Choice. Trophy displayed for the year and returned the following year for the next winner.
Banana Pudding
Judged separately. Not included in Grand Champion scoring.
The Essentials
Logistics
- 1
Team entry fee of $150 for the BBQ competition is due at the event weekend. Includes BBQ plate tickets for your team (up to 4 people), 6ft table, black garbage bags, two rolls of paper towels, disposable table linen, styrofoam boxes for blind boxes, sauce cups for turn-in, and 100 toothpicks for guest rib samples.
- 2
Additional $50 entry fee for the Banana Pudding competition is also due at this time.
- 3
Teams provide their own meat, sauce, charcoal, wood, cookers, tents, chairs, and anything else not listed above.
- 4
Teams must be formed through a Congregation or Diocesan Organization.
- 5
Teams may arrive Friday, May 22nd to load in, set up, and begin cooking. Check in with a Culpepper Cookout planning team member to receive your supplies and assigned area in the parking lot by the Rec Hall.
- 6
Kitchen access will be limited. Bring everything you'll need (supplies, utensils, etc).
- 7
Be respectful of the property. Keep your area clean. Teams are responsible for their own clean up at the end of the competition.
- 8
The Grand Champion receives a trophy to display for the year, returned the following year for the next winner. Smaller trophies are awarded for Best Ribs, Best Wings, Best Banana Pudding, and People's Choice.
The Cook
Meat Categories
Teams compete in two meat categories. Both are required for Grand Champion eligibility.
Ribs
- Required turn-in. Specific type of rib is up to the team. Country-Style ribs are not allowed.
- Sauce turn-ins are optional.
- Prepare a serving of one rib for up to 100 guests for People's Choice sampling, plus 3-4 servings for the judges.
- Teams will be provided 100 toothpicks of a specific color so guests can identify which team prepared each rib.
- Any cooking method, any rub, any sauce.
Wings
- Chicken wings only. Any piece or whole wing is fine.
- Prepare one serving per judge (3-4 servings total). Additional guest servings are optional.
- Any cooking method, any rub, any sauce.
The Sweet Side
Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is its own category. Judged separately and not included in Grand Champion scoring.
- Defined as a dessert traditionally made with layers of vanilla pudding or custard, sliced bananas, and wafers or cookies. Creative interpretations welcome.
- Prepare a small serving for each of the 3-4 judges. Optional guest servings encouraged.
- Each team will be provided with 100 small (2 oz) cups for serving.
- Can be served warm or cold. Any ingredients, toppings, or presentation style is fair game.
How You Win
Judging & Scoring
BBQ Judging
- Two judging methods: blind box by a panel of 3-4 judges, plus People's Choice voting from event guests.
- Judges score each entry on a rubric (below). People's Choice winner is the team with the most guest votes. Each ticketed guest gets one vote.
- Ribs and Wings are turned in via blind box. Each team turns in one styrofoam box for Ribs and one for Wings.
- Sauce turn-ins are optional and use provided containers.
- Boxes must contain enough food for 3-4 judges. Present the food neatly and serve at the appropriate temperature.
- Each box is labeled with a randomized team number and the category. Do not add any other distinguishing marks. The blind format eliminates bias.
- No garnish inside the box. No foreign objects (toothpicks, skewers). A single piece of foil under the meat is allowed.
- Ribs turn-in window: 11:00-11:15 AM Saturday. Wings turn-in window: 11:15-11:30 AM Saturday. Boxes not delivered in their time window will not be accepted, and that category receives 0 points.
Each judge scores each rubric item on a 0-5 scale. Each team can earn 45-60 points per category, for a max of 90-120 points across both judged BBQ categories.
Banana Pudding Judging
- Judged via blind box by the panel.
- Turn in 3-4 small cups (provided by the event) of banana pudding.
- Present neatly and serve at the appropriate temperature.
- Banana pudding may be prepared ahead of time. Refrigerator space will be available for storage.
- Cups will be labeled with a randomized team number. Do not add any other distinguishing marks.
- Turn-in window: 12:30-12:45 PM Saturday. Late deliveries will not be accepted and receive 0 points.
Each judge scores each rubric item on a 0-5 scale. Up to 45-60 points total for the banana pudding category.
People's Choice
- Each event attendee receives a ballot. Attendees vote after lunch and place ballots in the boxes near the Admin Building.
- Voting closes at 3:00 PM. The team with the most votes wins People's Choice.
- Teams also earn points toward Grand Champion based on People's Choice ranking.
People's Choice Placement Points (toward Grand Champion)
Grand Champion
- Combined score from Ribs, Wings, and People's Choice. The team with the highest total score is named Grand Champion.
- Banana Pudding scores are not included in Grand Champion scoring.
- Raw point scores will be emailed to teams after the event for full transparency.
Saturday, May 23
Order of Events
The day-of schedule for competing teams. Blind box turn-in windows are firm.
- 10:00 AM
Welcome in the Chapel
Morning activities with the Permanent Staff. Registration table, silent auction, and merchandise booth open.
- 11:00-11:15 AM
Ribs Blind Box Turn-In
Hard window. Late deliveries are not accepted.
- 11:15-11:30 AM
Wings Blind Box Turn-In
Hard window. Late deliveries are not accepted.
- 12:00 PM
Lunch Service
Ribs and wings served to event attendees. People's Choice voting begins. Live entertainment. Pool closed for lunch.
- 12:30-12:45 PM
Banana Pudding Blind Box Turn-In
Hard window. Banana pudding also served in the dining hall.
- 1:00 PM
Afternoon Activities
With the Permanent Staff.
- 3:00 PM
Silent Auction & People's Choice Closed
Last call on bids and ballots.
- 3:30 PM
Worship Service & Awards Ceremony
Gather in the Chapel for worship and the announcement of all winners.
- 4:00 PM
Event Ends
See you next year.
Questions?
Reach Out to Mary Proctor
Contact Mary with any questions or concerns about the BBQ competition.
maryproctor94@gmail.com