100 Steps to Competitive BBQ and Chili Glory!

My Citizens, it is a fact of facts that the unmatched glory of TFD extends not only to his knowledge of world cuisine – but also to the subtle and arcane art of competitive cooking events!

I am to this day the only member of the International Chili Society to win on the first-ever attempt at a regional event – I am the only one in 50+ years to ever pull it off and move on to the World Championships!

This weekend, I take the next step and enter the seething competition found on the pro BBQ circuit!

In celebration of your challenging spirit, let me share a checklist I have assembled over many years of cooking on the Chili circuit and with additions for BBQ as well – it will save you much heartache and will let you focus on the event and cooking, not freaking out if you forgot something.

Without further ado – the most comprehensive checklist on the Web follows:

Chili/BBQ Cookoff Checklist

1. ❏ Disposable foil pans
2. ❏ Spray bottle(s)
3. ❏ Meat thermometer
4. ❏ Sanitizing bucket
5. ❏ Aluminum roasting pans
6. ❏ Aluminum foil
7. ❏ Lighter fluid
8. ❏ Organizing cart loaded up
9. ❏ Flashlight
10. ❏ Notebook and pen
11. ❏ Sharpening steel
12. ❏ 3 sets of laminated recipe pages
13. ❏ Sunscreen SPF 50+
14. ❏ Cell phone battery charger and cables
15. ❏ Ash bucket
16. ❏ Newspaper for charcoal starter
17. ❏ Setup playlist for tunes
18. ❏ Confirm you have your grill(s)
19. ❏ Trash bags
20. ❏ Lighter
21. ❏ Matchkit
22. ❏ Charcoal starter
23. ❏ Hats for sun protection
24. ❏ Antibacterial spray cleaner
25. ❏ Toothpicks
26. ❏ Bluetooth speaker for tunes!
27. ❏ 2 heads curly parsley for meat garnish
28. ❏ BBQ heat protective gloves
29. ❏ Epi-pen for bee allergy
30. ❏ Portable med kit
31. ❏ Herbs, rub for tri-tip
32. ❏ 3 paring knives for thigh cleanup
33. ❏ Carving knife for tri-tip
34. ❏ Tri-tip for chili, all chili ingredients
35. ❏ Ingredients for People’s Choice Meal
36. ❏ Rub, Butter, Herbs, Garlic, Chicken Stock for Thighs
37. ❏ BBQ sauce
38. ❏ BBQ brush set
39. ❏ Tongs
40. ❏ Hardwood charcoal (hickory)
41. ❏ Smoking chips
42. ❏ Grill cleaner
43. ❏ Flavor injector
44. ❏ Chicken thigh pans (2)
45. ❏ Get Taskrabbit day before and evening of to get stuff loaded and unloaded
46. ❏ Find ICS medal to strike unmitigated terror into competitors
47. ❏ Triple check all ingredients are packed
48. ❏ Load sign
49. ❏ Bug Spray
50. ❏ Several large bowls
51. ❏ Portable tool kit
52. ❏ Portable Generator
53. ❏ Bleach
54. ❏ Rubber gloves
55. ❏ Beer for drinking + beer for marinade + waters, sodas
56. ❏ Duct Tape
57. ❏ 3 gallons of water
58. ❏ Ice – lots of it
59. ❏ Matches
60. ❏ Fire Extinguisher
61. ❏ Can Opener
62. ❏ 3-Knife Set
63. ❏ 3 Tent chairs
64. ❏ Dishpan
65. ❏ Pack Banner
66. ❏ Charge generator night before
67. ❏ Strainer
68. ❏ Freeze Ice Gel Packs
69. ❏ Several rolls paper towels
70. ❏ 1 small ladle
71. ❏ 1 Chili Pot with Lid, 5-8 quart variety
72. ❏ 2 rolling ice chests plus AC cooler
73. ❏ Spice containers
74. ❏ 1 10 foot tablecloth
75. ❏ Plastic Spoons for Tasting
76. ❏ Measuring spoon set
77. ❏ 1 long-handled spoon
78. ❏ 3 Propane BU-6 Canisters + 2 burners
79. ❏ Cutting boards
80. ❏ 1 Heat Diffuser
81. ❏ Scrubbers
82. ❏ Square Sun Shade Sail 11 Feet 5 Inches
83. ❏ Slant Leg Shelter Side Wall
84. ❏ Check your BBQ / ICS Cards are in wallet
85. ❏ 1 large ladle
86. ❏ 1 rolling storage box
87. ❏ Pack booth flair
88. ❏ Coleman 10 x 10 Slant-Leg Instant Shelter
89. ❏ Titan Elite Scissors
90. ❏ Tables
91. ❏ Pot holders
92. ❏ Spice Grinder
93. ❏ Liquid Soap
94. ❏ Rent SUV (if needed)
95. ❏ Extension cords – long ones
96. ❏ Benadryl in case of bug bites
97. ❏ Victory bottle of Champagne
98. ❏ Business cards – you never know who you might meet!
99. ❏ Set two backup emergency alarms to get up at 05:00 AM
100. ❏ Return rental SUV, if needed

Battle on – The Generalissimo