Teams:  

This competition is open to any level of cooking skills as well as those who are just here for a good time! If you and your best friends are looking for a fun weekend up north and a place to share your love of grilling with other barbeque enthusiasts, this is the place for you. You will get the opportunity to share your special skill and creativity with the “tasters” who will be on the search for the best BBQ.  

 

You are to provide your own grill but are limited to charcoal, wood, or pellet type (no gas). 

 

Judging: 

There will be a panel of judges who will sample each team’s proteins. They will be judging each team using the following categories on a rating scale 1-10 (10 being the best): appearance, taste, tenderness in each meat category. 

 

Furthermore, there will be a People’s Choice award chosen by the general “tasting” public. 

 

Prizes Pool: half of team entry fees and will be split four categories: Best in Each Category: Ribs; Pork Butt; and Brisket; and People’s Choice Award 

 

Cooking Team Information:

Included with registration

• $350 Entry Fee (good for up to 4 cooking team members)
• 10x10 space to be used for cooking/supplies
• One 8ft table
• Two 25lbs bags of ice
• 2oz ramekins for sampling
• 1 chafing dish with two sternos for keeping samples hot.
• Access to our hospitality tent- including water, NA beverages
• Friday night welcome dinner- 8pm at the Halfway Café chuckwagon buffet
• 1 trash bin with additional liners
• 16 tasting tickets for team to sample other teams’ proteins
• 4 drink tickets per team
• One complimentary hotel room and discounted rate for additional rooms
• Meat for Grilling Competition – Treetops Resort will provide this to you at the designated pick-up time detailed further down. You get your choice of one of these protein options:
• 30 lbs. brisket 
• 30 lbs. racks pork ribs
• 30 lbs. pork butt
• If your team would like to choose a second protein option, you will be required to pay another $350.

 

You are required to bring:

• Your own grill but are limited to charcoal, wood, or pellet type (no gas).
• 10x10 pop up tent with strong anchors
• Additional tables if needed
• Coolers
• Gloves to wear while preparing and serving food
• Spices & Sauces (which must be bought from a commercial store)
• Any special decorations or signage: Aprons, hats, anything to be memorable and fun
• Potable water if needed for cooking, there will NOT be access to water other than in restrooms.
• Extension cords **There is limited access to power **

Recommendation to Bring:

• Chairs
• Sunscreen
• Fun attitude

 

Restriction: No outside prepared food allowed. All food needs to be prepared on-site. Allotted proteins are to be used at the event and not taken home to ensure “tasters” can enjoy every team’s creation. All tastings are to be served in the provided 2oz plastic ramekins and serving sizes are single serving ONLY. No additional vessels for tasting are permitted i.e.: tortillas for tacos, different forms of bread, etc. Teams can be disqualified from the competition if it has been determined that not all proteins have been prepared and served on-site in the appropriate manner as mentioned above.

Items Allowed

• Spices
• Sauces

Not allowed:

• Cooks may not bring in their own alcoholic beverage on property
• No serving vessel, food based or otherwise, may be used to serve tasters

CANCELLATION POLICY- TEAMS MUST CANCEL BEFORE April 15th to receive a full refund. If cancellation occurs after this date, no refund will be given. 

 

Timeline for Teams:

Friday:

• Meat Package Pick-up will take place at the Halfway Cafe between 2-5pm on Friday, May 1. Please check-in at this location to pick up your desired protein package and tasting and drink tickets. The Banquet Chef & Group Services Manager will be present to check in and to answer questions. Proceed to the bottom of the ski hill where you will find your designated cooking space. If you cannot pick up your package during this time, please email [email protected]; from there we can coordinate a time that works best for you and your team.
• Preparation/Cooking for the event can begin once your protein is picked up Friday afternoon.
• COOLER INSPECTION- Cooks may not bring any prepared meats to the event. Cooking begins onsite. Cooks may not bring in their own alcoholic beverage on property. **We will have onsite resort security throughout the event**

 

Saturday:

• The event runs from 1-5pm. Opens to the VIP guests at 12pm, so you should be prepared to serve your dish no later than 12pm. Treetops will provide plastic 2oz ramekins for food service.
• You should be prepared to give out approximately 250 samples - the appropriate sample size is 2oz. in the plastic ramekins provided by Treetops.
• There will be a beverage tent at the event as well as options available in the hospitality tent. You CANNOT bring your own alcoholic beverages on property.
• The tastings will take place from 1-4pm. Judging will begin at 3:00pm.

The winners will be announced at 4:30pm

• People’s Choice award is voted on throughout the event by the attendees/ “tasters”. There will be one winner. This will also be announced at 4:30pm.

 

We are really excited about this 8^th annual event and hope that you are too! You will get the opportunity to share your special skill and creativity with the judges and “tasters” who will be on the search for the best BBQ! In addition to the friendly competition, BBQ and Beer, we look forward to having you there to enjoy all that Treetops Resort has to offer and enjoy a fun spring weekend in Northern Michigan!