The Bush BBQ Challenge is a fun and fiery cooking showdown for service clubs, schools and other enthusiastic amateur chefs. Each team will bring its own bush BBQ, favourite recipes and cooking skills to compete in a series of bush-style cooking heats. Teams will be challenged to prepare randomly selected meats and side dishes, testing their creativity and ability to adapt to rural cooking conditions.
\Winners will be decided through a combination of audience voting and expert judging. Throughout the competition, teams will be encouraged to explain their techniques, exchange ideas and provide plenty of fun and laughter for 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: Random selection of meats and sides.
Supplied by Teams: Bush BBQ, fuel, utensils, breads, condiments, spices.
Each heat will include two or more teams depending on entries.
Each heat runs for approximately 45 minutes.
At the start of each heat, teams will randomly select:
A colour for audience voting.
Two meats
One side
Team goal: Create the most desirable bush meal using their random selections, plus breads, condiments, and spices they provide.
Audience participation and interaction are key to the challenge’s success.
Teams consist of two members and compete in two heats.
Teams must attend safety briefing and sign waiver to compete.
Teams are encouraged to bring one sign or banner promoting their group or organisation.
Randomly supplied meats (no external meat permitted): sausage, chicken, beef mince, pork chop, lamb chop.
Randomly supplied sides: baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, chips.
Farm Fest supplies display plates for finished meals.
Teams must bring their own bush BBQ setup, fuel, and utensils suitable for bush or camp cooking.
All cooking must be done on team equipment. No electric cords permitted (battery-operated utensils allowed).
No fire on the ground is permitted.
No open flames permitted.
Teams 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 & Cleanliness – 20%
Crowd Engagement – 20%
All equipment must be in good working condition.
Fire extinguishers or fire blankets (supplied by Maleny Farm Fest) must be at each cooking station.
No electric cords allowed.
Meat must remain in a cooler/esky until cooking.
Farm Fest supplies paper towels and cleaning materials.
Teams are responsible for keeping their area clean and safe.
Entries Close Wednesday 18th November, 2026.