How do I get people to compete in a cook off?

Kim_K

New dealer and new owner of Big Green Egg.  Love it!  We're looking to host a cook off at our store and I'm wondering if any of you have attended one.  What did you like about it?  Did anything in particular drive you to participate?  Should I let participants pick their own food or should i limit it to one thing?  I want to drive the business, obviously, but I more so want to expose customers to the experience and create a buzz.  Any help would be appreciated!

OhioEgger

No idea where you're located, but check the calendar of Eggfests in your region and attend a few. That's the best way to understand the dynamics -- by talking with the grillers and customers.

Gulfcoastguy

Search for Eggfest on this site. I think that is what you want.

RRP

By cook off do you mean an Eggfest or do you really want a cook off which implies a contest? An Eggfest is a funfest which encourages people to have fun, learn about the BGE and hopefully help you sell them! I am turned off at the idea of a contest personally. I mean who is to judge that these ribs are better than these ABTs are better than this pulled pork is better than this cholocate cake etc? 

Theophan

I went to a promo at a local BGE dealer, and they had several people cooking, but honestly, the only thing I tasted, a baby back, was pretty terrible, really.  It looked really cool, he sort of turned each rack into a pinwheel and cooked them that way, but there were hardly any seasonings, not much of a smoke flavor, and to me, anyway, NOT an enticing demo of how great BGEs are.

So if what you want to do is to offer people some demonstrations and some great food, make sure it's great food!  Maybe just have a very few people cooking who you know are GOOD at it, or even just yourself with maybe a family member or colleague to help.  That way you know it'll be good.

And I agree with the others who said if what you are thinking of is more along the lines of an Eggfest, go to a few and listen a lot to the organizers about what helps, what works, what doesn't work, etc..

pgprescott

Contests are a different animal. Most everyday eggers aren't interested in contests. Easier to get participation in a fun community building event. Even then many have stage fright. Good luck. Need to identify a handful of your most zealous customers. 

johnnyp

Where are you located? 

blasting

I've never been to an eggfest, since none are held in my state.  However, an eggfest vibe would get me wanting to attend more than a competition would.

Hey, and welcome to the forum!

EGGjlmh

Is your husband Kayne gonna be there?

slovelad

EGGjlmh said:

Is your husband Kayne gonna be there?

That would bring a crowd, albeit not the kind if like to egg with

slovelad

slovelad said:

EGGjlmh said:

Is your husband Kayne gonna be there?

That would bring a crowd, albeit not the kind i'd like to egg with

Kim_K

Thanks for all the info! I was thinking more like a contest, but it sounds like EggFest is what I want the experience to be. I like the idea of limiting the cooking to people I know can cook, thank you for that. Wish I could attend an EggFest, only one has happened nearby and I couldn't make it (I'm in York, PA). 

pgprescott

Kim_K said:

Thanks for all the info! I was thinking more like a contest, but it sounds like EggFest is what I want the experience to be. I like the idea of limiting the cooking to people I know can cook, thank you for that. Wish I could attend an EggFest, only one has happened nearby and I couldn't make it (I'm in York, PA). 

If you are a smaller market dealer like 
myself, the event doesn't need to be a huge thing. We only sell 10-12 units a year and ten cooks can produce plenty of food and even more  helpful advice and cometary for the attendees. It is a lot of work to pull together and much of it happens in the last ten days or so. The day of the fest should be about enjoyment and comradary for your cooks, guests and yourself. That's how you know it's a success. Encourage the cooks to do shorter cooks and things they are comfortable doing. Good luck. 

SamIAm2

Kim_K said:

Thanks for all the info! I was thinking more like a contest, but it sounds like EggFest is what I want the experience to be. I like the idea of limiting the cooking to people I know can cook, thank you for that. Wish I could attend an EggFest, only one has happened nearby and I couldn't make it (I'm in York, PA). 

Look at @pgprescott's last EggFest pictures here: Rock River Valley Eggfest.  A small fest is a great way for you and potential customers to get to know each other, to make connections with the cooks for useful information, and to understand this egghead thing. 

DMW

If you're in PA, Meadow Creek BBQ in New Holland is having their eggfest this Saturday, the 8th, if you want to check it out as an observer. It's free of charge.

pgprescott

DMW said:

If you're in PA, Meadow Creek BBQ in New Holland is having their eggfest this Saturday, the 8th, if you want to check it out as an observer. It's free of charge.

Free is a must for the small events and you will want to pamper the cooks as they donate a lot of their time and effort not to mention money to make the event a success. It's only the right thing to do IMO. 

DMW

pgprescott said:

DMW said:

If you're in PA, Meadow Creek BBQ in New Holland is having their eggfest this Saturday, the 8th, if you want to check it out as an observer. It's free of charge.

Free is a must for the small events and you will want to pamper the cooks as they donate a lot of their time and effort not to mention money to make the event a success. It's only the right thing to do IMO. 

Good point, put together a nice grab bag for the cooks and maybe a gift card to the store.

bgebrent

Inducements.