Official Rules | The Fat Pastor

HOMETOWN SHOWDOWN

Adult Competition – Official Rules

Event: Hometown Showdown
Date: May 9, 2026
Location: HomeTown Ace Hardware – Yakima, WA
Produced by: Pacific Northwest Food Championships
Sanctioned by: World Food Championships

COMPETITION OVERVIEW

The Adult Competition at the Hometown Showdown is a 90-minute live-fire cooking challenge designed to test technique, execution, and flavor under time constraints. The winner will receive a Golden Ticket to the 2026 World Food Championships BBQ division.

Competitors will prepare:

1 Main Course Dish (Protein + 1 Side)
*1 Dessert

All cooking must take place onsite within the allotted time.

TEAM COMPOSITION & SPACE

Each team will be assigned a 10’ x 15’ cook space
Teams may include any number of members, provided:
- All people, equipment, and supplies fit entirely within the assigned space
- No encroachment into neighboring spaces or walkways

Failure to remain within assigned space may result in penalties or disqualification.

COOK TIME

Total cook time is 90 minutes - Fires may be lit 30 minutes prior to cook time
Cook time begins and ends at the direction of the Competition Timekeeper
Late turn-ins will not be accepted

PROTEIN & INGREDIENT RULES (INSPECTION ENFORCED)

Protein Requirements

All ingredients must be purchased from a retail store
Ingredients must arrive:
- Unopened
- In original packaging
- Unseasoned, un-marinated, and unaltered

Prohibited Proteins

Pre-seasoned meats
Pre-marinated meats
Pre-cooked or par-cooked meats
Meats altered prior to inspection

Inspection

Mandatory protein inspection will occur before cooking begins
Any team found with prohibited ingredients will be:
- Immediately disqualified
- No refund of registration fees

COOKING EQUIPMENT & HEAT SOURCES

Live-fire and grill-based cooking only
Acceptable heat sources include:
- Charcoal grills
- Gas grills
- Wood-fired setups (Ace-approved only)
- Pellet Grills will not be allowed due to their need for electricity

Prohibited Equipment

Sous vide
Electric hot plates
Gas Grills - Charcoal/Wood Allowed Only
Induction burners
Indoor appliances of any kind
Electrical appliances of any kind

Event staff reserves the right to deny unsafe or unapproved equipment.

TURN-IN REQUIREMENTS

Each team must submit:

3 identical Main Course samples for judges
3 identical Dessert Course samples for judges
1 or 2 Presentation Plate (not tasted) - Make it look good! This is where your appearance score will be determined. You can put both main course and dessert on your presentation plate, or you can create two separate presentation plates.

All components submitted must match what is described to judges.

JUDGING CRITERIA (E.A.T.)

Dishes will be judged using the E.A.T. framework (World Food Championships)

Execution
How well the competitor executed the dish they intended to create

Appearance
Visual appeal and completeness of the dish

Taste
Overall flavor, balance, and technique

Judges’ decisions are final and binding. Judging will be BLIND.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE:

Participation is required
Sampling must follow event protocols
All sampling coordinated through event staff
Teams will be judged by attending crowd

SAFETY & CONDUCT

Teams must follow all fire, safety, and sanitation rules
Handwashing system must be in place (clean water, 3 basin set up for washing/drying/sanitizing)
Fire extinguishers must remain accessible
There must be at least one stem thermometer on site at all times
Unsafe behavior may result in:
- Penalties
- Disqualification
- Removal from event

SPORTSMANSHIP

Respect toward judges, staff, volunteers, and other teams is required
No interference with other teams
No tampering with equipment or food outside your own space

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

DISQUALIFICATION CONDITIONS

A team may be disqualified for:

Late turn-ins
Using prohibited proteins
Failing inspection
Unsafe behavior
Rule violations
Disrespect toward staff or judges

Disqualification results in forfeiture of prizes and entry fees.

FINAL AUTHORITY

The Head Judge and Event Director have final authority on all rule interpretations and disputes
Decisions are final

ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

By registering, competitors agree to abide by all rules outlined above and acknowledge that failure to comply may result in disqualification without refund.

HOMETOWN SHOWDOWN - KIDS COMPETITION - OFFICIAL RULES

Event: Hometown Showdown
Date: May 9, 2026
Location: HomeTown Ace Hardware – Yakima, WA
Produced by: Pacific Northwest Food Championships
Sanctioned by: World Food Championships

COMPETITION OVERVIEW

The Kids Competition at the Hometown Showdown is a live-fire grilling challenge designed to showcase young cooks while prioritizing safety, fairness, and independence.

Competitors will prepare:

1 Main Course Dish (Protein + 1 Side)

This is a World Food Championships Junior Qualifier.

AGE ELIGIBILITY

Open to competitors ages 9–17
Age determined as of event date
Proof of age may be requested

COOK SPACE & TEAM COMPOSITION

Each competitor is assigned a 10’ x 15’ cook space
The child competitor must perform all cooking tasks
Parents/guardians may not cook, season, plate, or advise during the competition

ADULT INVOLVEMENT (VERY IMPORTANT)

Allowed:

Adults may assist with:
- Setting up the cook space before the competition
- Tearing down the cook space after the competition
- Safety supervision only (fire, burns, emergencies)

NOT Allowed:

No cooking assistance
No seasoning or plating help
No verbal coaching or instruction
No interference of any kind during the 90-minute cook time

Any parent or adult caught assisting during the competition will result in immediate disqualification.

This rule will be strictly enforced with no exceptions.

COOK TIME

Total cook time is 90 minutes
Time begins and ends at the direction of the Competition Timekeeper
Late turn-ins will not be accepted

PROTEIN & INGREDIENT RULES (INSPECTION ENFORCED)

Protein Requirements

Main protein (NY Strip Steak) will be provided by Snyder's Meats and must be used as the main protein of the dish

All Other Proteins Must be:
Purchased from a retail store
In original, unopened packaging
Unseasoned and unmarinated

Prohibited Proteins

Pre-seasoned meats
Pre-marinated meats
Pre-cooked or par-cooked meats

Inspection

Mandatory protein inspection will occur prior to cooking
Violations result in immediate disqualification
Registration fees are non-refundable

COOKING EQUIPMENT & HEAT SOURCES

Allowed:

- Grills will be provided for child competitors.

Not Allowed:

Open ground fires
Sous vide
Electric or induction burners
Indoor appliances

All equipment must be Ace-approved and pass safety inspection.

TURN-IN REQUIREMENTS

Each competitor must submit:

3 identical samples for judges
1 presentation dish (not tasted)

All samples must reflect what the competitor describes to judges.