What is the term for a barbecue event where different teams compete?

The term for a barbecue event where different teams compete is a barbecue competition. This terminology is widely recognized in the barbecue community, specifically indicating an organized event where teams showcase their grilling skills and culinary techniques, often vying for trophies, cash prizes, or bragging rights.

Barbecue competitions usually adhere to specific rules and categories, such as ribs, chicken, brisket, and pork, and are judged on criteria such as taste, tenderness, and appearance. This structured format distinguishes barbecue competitions from other events like festivals, which may focus more on enjoyment, community gathering, and sampling various foods rather than direct competition among teams.

In contrast, while terms like grill-off and cooking showdown may imply some form of competition, they are less formalized and may not specifically relate to barbecue as a culinary category. A grill-off can refer to a casual or informal event and cooking showdown is a broader term that could apply to various forms of cooking, not specifically barbecue. Thus, barbecue competition is the precise term for the scenario described, emphasizing the competitive aspect that defines such events.