The Bush BBQ Challenge is a fun and fiery cooking showdown between enthusiastic amateur chefs, community service club, and schools. Each team or individual brings its own bush BBQ, recipes, and skills to compete in “bush-style” cooking heats. Competitors will face the challenge of showing their ability to adapt to rural settings in front of spectators.
For early bird entries (prior to 7th of November) entrants can pick two meats and one side in advance. Entrants after this date will choose at random their meats and sides on the day.
Judging will be a mix of audience voting and expert assessment. Along the way, competitors are encouraged to communicate their skills, swap ideas, and bring plenty of fun and laughs to the audience.
Date: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Food and Fire Safety Briefing: 8:45 AM
Setup Time: From 9:00 AM
Heats From: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Venue: Maleny Showgrounds, Dairy Pavilion grounds.
Judging: Audience and Experts
Supplied by Farm Fest: BBQ, Selection of meats and sides.
Supplied by Teams: Utensils, breads, condiments, spices.
Optional: Bring your own small BBQ or use the BBQ supplied. (no electric BBQ)
Each heat will include competitors of individuals or teams depending on entries.
Each heat runs for approximately 45 minutes.
At the start of each heat, competitors will randomly select a colour for audience voting.
Competitors goal: Create the most desirable bush meal using their meats and sides, plus breads, condiments, and spices they provide.
Audience participation and interaction are key to the challenge’s success.
Competitors consist of an individual or two member teams. They will compete in one heat.
Competitors must attend safety briefing and sign waver to compete.
Competitors are encouraged to bring one sign or banner promoting their organisation.
Randomly supplied meats (no external meat permitted) for those who register after 7th of November: sausage, chicken, beef mince, beef steak, pork chop, lamb chop.
Randomly supplied sides (no external sources) for those who register after 7th of November: baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, pumpkin, chips.
Farm Fest supplies display plates for finished meals.
Competitors must bring their own utensils suitable for bush or camp cooking. Bringing a small BBQ and fuel is optional.
All cooking must be done on equipment supplied or brought in. No electric cords permitted (battery-operated utensils allowed).
No fire on the ground is permitted.
No fire on the ground is permitted.
No open flames permitted.
Competitors may bring their own breads, condiments, and spices to complement their recipes.
Safe food handling practices must be followed at all times.
Most Visually Mouth-Watering Meal
Taste – 40%
Presentation – 20%
Teamwork (if a team) & Cleanliness – 20%
Crowd Engagement – 20%
All equipment must be in good working condition.
Fire extinguishers and fire blankets supplied by Maleny Farm Fest.
No electric cords allowed.
Meat must remain in a cooler/esky until cooking.
Farm Fest supplies paper towels and cleaning materials.
Competitors are responsible for keeping their area clean and safe.
Entries Close Wednesday 18th November, 2026.