ALL ABOUT BBQ
This year the BBQ stage, competitions, demos, food trucks, and fun are set to be even bigger and better!
Head to the BBQ Picnic Spot
Bring your appetite! This year we’ve created the perfect spot for you to see all our food truck options in one place, making it easier to find just the right food for you and your family to enjoy. The vendors will be tantalising your tastebuds, selling all your favourite Hot & Fast and traditional Low & Slow specialties on Friday and Saturday. And, yes, there will be vegetarian options too!
Don't miss the competitions on Pit Lane
If you loved watching TVNZ’s Cooks on Fire television programme, you’ll LOVE seeing the live, internationally sanctioned BBQ competitions on Friday and Saturday. Get up close and personal while pitmasters vie for not just bragging rights and fancy trophies, but also for a slice of more than $8,000 in cash prizes, championship points, and even a shot at competing in the US.
Check out the schedule here
Get involved
We love it when new BBQ pitmasters and judges join us!
To become a judge, simply email the team to register your interest and indicate whether you can judge Friday night and/or Saturday afternoon (preference will be given to those who can judge both Friday night and Saturday afternoon). No experience needed as full training will be provided on the day. Register today as spaces are limited!
To enter the BBQ competition, register to compete in one or both of the comps below. Entry fees apply.
Level up your own BBQ skills in the Demo Zone
BBQ Competitions in Pit Lane
Friday: High Steaks in Vegas competition
A Steak Cookoff Association (SCA) sanctioned competition
Check out the best of the best competitive steak cooks in the New Zealand and abroad as they prepare the perfect steak for national championship points, cash and golden tickets to compete in the 2026 SCA World Championship in Fort Worth, Texas.
While most of the cooking is judged in a blind tasting format, you can vote for People’s Choice Monster Burger.
Click “Rules & Entry Info” below for the full schedule and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for any updates. Entry fees apply.
Saturday:
Lake of Fire Low & Slow Barbecue competition
A New Zealand Barbecue Alliance Sanctioned competition
Around 30 teams, including icons in NZ barbecue, battle it out for championship points, cash and trophies in a traditional four-protein competition. If you follow them on social media, come meet them in person to cheer them on and chat about all things competition barbecue.
Our cooks love to chat about all things BBQ but if you catch them while they need to get hands-on with their work or deliver their creations to the judges, please step back, admire their passion and dedication to their craft, and let them do their thing. We assure you they will be back to chat your ears off just as soon as that box of smoky magic reaches the judges’ tent!
Full schedule to come, check back here or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Entry fee applies.
GET IN TOUCH
stay in touch
Make sure you sign up to hear the latest news on who’s playin’ & who’s cookin’ down on the Rotorua Village Green 29th November to 1st December 2024!
BBQ
Check out NZ’s best pitmasters as they compete in two internationally sanctioned Barbecue competitions. With points, cash, prizes, bragging rights and invitations to compete in USA up for grabs – you know they’ll be cooking with all their heart and soul.
Ready to take your barbecue cooking to the next level? Keep an eye out for our list of BBQ retailers who will be ready with deals & demos. We’ll also have some pop- up type classes where you can learn how to cook the perfect BBQ meal.
YOUTH EVENTS
One of the core objectives for our club is to nurture and develop Blues among young and aspiring musicians. This festival will feature workshops and performance opportunities for youth to get involved and learn more around musicianship and performance under the umbrella of Blues music. There will be a songwriting and performance competition component of the day that offers an incentive for aspiring young people to gain music industry experience. Please complete the form below if you are interested in being part of this fun youth comp.