COUNTDOWN TO COOKOFF!

DANNY DIETZ MEMORIAL CLASSIC KIDS’ QUE

SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2026

CONTEST RULES AND REGULATIONS

$25.00 Entry Fee per cook per event

There are two age groups for steak and one for the open.  Contestants must be at the age noted at the time of the contest, not the time of registration. Danny Dietz Memorial Kids Que rules apply unless otherwise noted. Each entry submitted will consist of one cook only. Decisions made by the Kids Que Coordinator and Danny Dietz Team will be final.

Categories:

Steak

*Ages 6-10 will be provided with a steak. Each entry will receive one and only one steak. There is no margin of error. The steak will need to be submitted in the box that was provided at check-in with the foil disk provided. NO GARNISH ALLOWED.

*Ages 11-16 will be provided with a steak. Each entry will receive one and only one steak. There is no margin of error. The steak will need to be submitted in the box that was provided at check-in with the foil disk provided. NO GARNISH ALLOWED.

Open

*Ages 6-16 cooks are allowed to cook whatever they choose, this category is open garnish, but all entries must fit in the turn-in box and all boxes must close and stay closed upon turn-in. Please provide enough for 6 judges.

Rules/Regulations:

∙ All children will cook in a designated area on their own grills.

∙ *STEAK ONLY* -Protein will be provided by the Danny Dietz Memorial Cookoff. All submissions for the competition MUST use the meat/protein provided.

OPEN- Cooks must provide everything they need for cooking this entry, as it is an open, we do not want to limit their creativity and encourage them to have as much fun cooking as possible. All ingredients and proteins need to be supplied by the cooks. (*Reminder turn-in must fit in the turn-in box and the box must close and stay closed, and be enough for 6 judges*) 

∙ All Kids Que Competitors must be registered and paid before competing.

∙ A parent or guardian must be present for the child during the entire cooking competition but remain outside the cooking area. 

Our cooking space is limited so for safety reasons; we want to give the kids as much space between each other as possible.

∙ Due to space limitations, parents and guardians cannot bring folding chairs or other seating into the Kids Que cooking area. Folding chairs must remain outside the cooking area. 

∙ Each participant may bring one storage container for supplies (containers may be switched out for the open) and one 4’ table. (We will have tables should you need one). Containers will be stored underneath the participants’ table. Each participant must provide their own grill. Charcoal or wood burning grills only. No gas, pellet or electric smokers will be allowed. Charcoal will be provided for all participants.

∙ Entries will be submitted in the numbered containers/clam shells provided by the Danny Dietz Memorial Kids Que Representative. Slicing meat will not be allowed.

Judges will be equipped to slice the meat presented at the judging table.

∙ Judging will be based on appearance, tenderness/texture and taste.

∙ Scoring will range from ten (highest) to one (lowest).

∙ All contestants and parents/guardians must wear closed-toed shoes.

Contest Reps and ambassadors will assist all cooks with lighting fires and turning proteins as necessary. Contest Reps and ambassadors have the final word during the event.