About Us

Pro railyard bbq challenge 

Rules & Regulations

Event Details
The Inaugural Pro Railyard BBQ Competition will take place Friday, February 5th and 6th at 129 State Rd 20, Palatka, FL 32177. The pro BBQ challenge will feature BBQ teams from around the state. The attendance goal of the event is 800 people, with the ability to go larger if there is an overwhelming response. The event is being promoted via print, radio and TV media channels along with social media marketing campaigns. All proceeds benefit the local civic charity The Empowered Kitchen.​​
https://www.theempoweredkitchen.org/

Competition Teams Entry Information
This is a pro challenge with 23 total prizes, proteins (chicken, pork, ribs, and brisket) will be judged separately. Teams will enter and will automatically be entered into the People’s Choice competition for their division. The contest will be capped at 40 total teams

Entry Fees
Each team will pay the entry fee for their division and agree to produce no less than the minimum amount of food recommended under the “Sample Meat Requirement Section”.

 

Competition Team Entry: $275 – standard entry or $100 (** including food sales)

Non-Competing Food Vendor: $200 (*** see notes below) – message us for approval

** BBQ teams will be permitted to sell “Ready to Eat” food items for an additional $100, only if you already possess a food service license and meet minimum food safety regulations. Teams will be solely responsible for meeting all local and state guidelines for food service and sales, including
collecting any applicable sales taxes. See the “Team Setup” section for more details on tables.

 

*** If a food vendor wishes to participate in the festival, not as a competitor, but only to provide ready to eat food samples to event attendees at no charge, we have a limited number of spaces that can be made available. The food vendor must meet all local and state food safety guidelines for their products and must message us for approval to be a “Non-Competing Food Vendor”.

Teams must submit the accompanying entry form, along with their entry fee, to be considered for a spot at the event. Entries will be considered by the event organizers and awarded based on timing of submission and other criteria. If all slots fill or a team is not awarded a spot for any reason, their entry fee will be returned along with an explanation.

 

Payments

Please see the entry form for payment options that include Online pay via Register Now on The Empowered Kitchen website and options to print and mail your entry form.

Prizes​ - Pro BBQ

Main (Chicken)
1st Place - $750 - trophy
2nd Place - $550
3rd Place - $300

4th Place - $200

5th Place - $100

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Main (Pork)
1st Place - $750 - trophy
2nd Place - $550
3rd Place - $300

4th Place - $200

5th Place - $100

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Main (Ribs)
1st Place - $750 - trophy
2nd Place - $550
3rd Place - $300

4th Place - $200

5th Place - $100

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Main (Brisket)
1st Place - $750 - trophy
2nd Place - $550
3rd Place - $300

4th Place - $200

5th Place - $100

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Reserve - $750 

People's Choice - $300

Grand Champion - $1000 + Trophy​

People's Choice - Sample Meat Requirements for Competition Teams
Sample Meat Requirements for people’s choice voting: 30 lbs is a minimum recommended amount of meat used for the event, but the more BBQ samples you provide to the attendees = more votes for your team. 

Teams should provide meat samples to event coordinator by 11am, Saturday Feb 6th.

Non-Competing food vendors should provide samples of their products in individual small portions and should prepare enough product appropriate for the crowd size of the event. This will be confirmed and clarified on the entry form.

## Competition Teams and Food Vendors will be notified in writing (via email or social media messenger) by Monday, February 1st if the amount of samples should be adjusted for any reason, but the minimum amount of sample meats required to participate will not increase.

## SALES of merchandise is permitted by all teams with no stipulations, other than you are solely responsible for any applicable local, state and federal regulations including but not limited to collecting applicable sales tax. See the “Team Setup” section regarding tables.

Award Presentations:

4:30 pm
Entries will not be accepted after the close of the turn-in window time; no people’s choice tokens collected after the bucket collection time will be considered.

Team Setup
Teams will be assigned a 12’ x 15’ site for setup. All of the team’s equipment and setup must be contained within the 12 x 15 setup area and not infringe upon another team’s area; the only exception is if there is a non-traffic area (out of foot traffic) that can be utilized without infringing on another team’s setup area, event organizers may permit use of the extra area.

Event personnel have the final word on allowing or disallowing any setup outside of the 12 x 15 area. Smokers and cooking devices should be kept clear of any nearby combustible sources and allow for safe operation.

Each team must provide a 10’ x 10’ popup tent and at least one 8’ table to use for people’s choice sampling. If a team is going to sell ‘ready to eat’ food items or merchandise, it is recommended to have a second table at least 6’ long to accommodate separate lines for sampling and another for sales.

Food trailers are allowed inside the event area. Street parking will also be available.

Setup Times
Team setup can begin Thursday, Feb 4th starting at 8pm. It may take some time before all cars have left the event setup area - we are officially listing the starting setup time as 8pm.

Teams can arrive as early as 7pm and stage nearby and will be permitted into the setup area as space opens up. Most team setup will begin after 8pm.

Setup will resume Friday, Feb 5th at 6am and continue all day.

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Behavior

Every team, including members and guests, are expected and required to exhibit proper and courteous behavior at all times. A quiet time will be in effect from 11:00 pm on the night prior to the contest judging, remaining in effect until sunrise on the following day. No alcoholic beverages will be distributed to the general public. Teams will be informed of all local laws and will adhere to same. Failure to abide by these rules of behavior may result in expulsion from the contest and repeat offenders will be barred from competing in FBA sanctioned contests.

Additional Rules and Details
To view official rules and details please visit: https://fba39.wildapricot.org/Contest-Rules