3rd Annual Wondering Dutchmen BBQ Competition at Holland Fest

Competition Overview:

• $100 per team (up to 15teams competing, maximum is 15)
• Cash prizes for first place pork, mystery meat, and ribs
• Teams need to suppily their own pork ribs, and pork for the competition
• We will be supplying (1) pork butt for each team's submission for peoples choice (separate from pulled pork).
• We will supply one portion of mystery meat for each team.
• Setup and meat inspection 6pm-pm Friday 9/12. Cooks meeting at 9:15pm on Friday 9/12. No preseasoning or trimming, meat must be in original packaging.
• Submission times for juding meats are: mystery meat 1:30pm, Ribs at 2pm, Pork at 3pm.
• After judging complete, awards to be presented at 4pm on 9/13 @log cabin
• Official rules are attached to this invite. They're detailed, yet simple for our backyard style competition.
• All teams will have to sign a waiver, holding the The Wondering Dutchmen, Holland Park, and Holland (town) harmless.

The Wondering Dutchmen Backyard BBQ Competition Rules - Updated 8/8/23

1. Contestant Responsibilities: It is the responsibility of each team to ensure that their assigned cooking space is clean and orderly after the contest. All fires must be extinguished, and equipment must be removed from the site. Thorough clean-up is essential. Any team leaving behind trash of ANY KIND may be banned from future events. Please respect the Holland Park and Holland Events committee for the work they’re doing to put on a great event.
2. Equipment and Supplies: Contestants must provide all necessary equipment, supplies, and electricity, unless otherwise arranged in advance. They must adhere to all electrical, fire, and other codes. Each cooking device must have a nearby fire extinguisher.
3. Assigned Cooking Space: Teams will be assigned a cooking space. All cooking activities must take place within the designated area, and equipment must not exceed the boundaries unless pre-approved by the contest organizer.
4. Team Composition: Each team must have a Head Cook but can have as many assistant cooks as desired. Chief cooks and/or assistant cooks may only cook for their designated team at the contest they are attending.
5. Rule Interpretations: The TWD BBQ Contest Representatives and/or contest organizers have the final authority in interpreting and enforcing the rules.
6. Fire and Cooking Devices: All types of fires, including gas and electric, are permitted, as well as electrical assist devices like fan controllers.
7. Competition Meats: Contestants are prohibited from pre seasoning meats, opening them from their original packaging, or pre-trimming them prior to inspection. All seasoning, opening, and trimming must be done after the inspection process by the Official Meat Inspector.
8. Barbecue Definition: Barbecue for TWD BBQ Rules involves cooking the three Meat Categories on approved devices. Parboiling, Sous-vide, and deep-frying are not allowed. Violation results in scoring zeros or ones depending on the timing of the discovery.
9. Meat Presentation: Meat should not be sculptured, branded, or made identifiable. Uniform shaping and sizing are allowed to fit inside the competition turn-in box. Rosettes of meat slices are not permitted.
10. The Three Meat Categories:
11. MYSTERY MEAT: it's a mystery..........
12. PORK RIBS: Must include the bone. Country style ribs are not allowed.
13. PORK: Any pork cut is allowed, except ribs and sausage, turned in chopped, pulled, chunked, sliced, or a combination.
14. Judging Order: Judging times will vary, but the three categories will be judged in the order: MYSTERY, PORK RIBS, and PORK. Turn-in must occur within the specified time frame.
15. Garnish and Sauce: Garnish is optional and limited to specified ingredients. Sauce is optional, applied directly to the meat, and must not be pooled in the container. No chunky sauce is allowed.
16. Turn-in Containers: Entries must be submitted in the provided contest containers, unmarked and free of prohibited materials.
17. Meat Portions: Contestants must submit at least five portions of meat in the approved container, enough for each judge to sample. Chicken may be turned in without skin, which is optional.
18. Cleanliness and Safety: Various cleanliness and safety rules apply, including requirements on tobacco use, cleanliness of the cook and the cooking area, and proper handling of meat.
19. Contest Refunds: Entry fees will not be refunded except at the election of the contest organizer. Note this is a rain or shine event, no refunds for weather related issues.
20. Causes for Disqualification: Grounds for disqualification and eviction include various unacceptable behaviors and violations of the The Wondering Dutchmen Backyard BBQ Competition Rules.

JUDGING PROCEDURES:

• Blind judging only, entries submitted in approved numbered containers.
• Judges may not interact with teams, until conclusion of judging.
• Judging conducted by a team of 6 persons at each table.
• Scoring for appearance, taste, and tenderness from 9 to 2, with 1⁄4 increments allowed.
• Penalties and disqualifications are given for specific rule violations.
• Cumulative points for the three TWD BBQ categories determine the Grand Champion.

A message from The Dutchmen:

We sincerely thank all the contestants for their participation and dedication to "The Wondering Dutchmen Backyard BBQ Competition." We hope you enjoy your time competing, savoring the Holland Fest, and being a part of this enjoyable experience. Wishing everyone a fantastic and fun-filled event!

-Mase, Smoke, Casey

Also check out other Contests in Holland, Festivals in Holland, Meetups in Holland.