Welcome to Kids’ Que 2026!

Congrats on being a part of our first Grills Mafia Backyard Kids’ Que Throwdown event! We are hoping this is the first of many more, and appreciate you spending an afternoon with us to help make this a success, and to determine our first big winners.

IMPORTANT TIMES
Saturday, June 13, 2025 9:00 AM

Judges Meeting: 12:00 (noon)

East Aurora Classic Rink

41 Riley Street, East Aurora, 14052

This will be where we’ll do all the judging, which begins at 1:00 pm sharp, lasting until 3:30 pm.

We’ll have crackers, waters, and everything you’ll need.

We’re asking you to arrive around noon, to ensure we know our judges are there, and we don’t need to find alternates, while also taking our time to address any questions.

JUDGING PROCESS:
The entire process is blind - you won’t know names. Only turn-in box numbers.

1. You’ll have a slip for each turn-in box you judge, with a total 15-20 competitors.

2. Your table rep will present you a box, with a number. Write that Box # on your slip.

3. Your table rep will open the box, so you can judge the Appearance.

4. Your table rep will slice or allow you to select a single serving piece to sample.

5. You’ll want to take just one or two bites, so you don’t fill up.

6. Write down your scores for Taste, Texture, and Overall. Scoring explained in next section.

7. The overall score needs a decimal point - this is used for tie-breaking. For example, if this is the absolute best, give it a 9.9 overall.

8. Turn in your slip to the rep. Next box is coming…

Please refrain from making comments to each other during the judging, unless there is a good reason. We don’t want to influence each other’s opinions.

SCORING TIPS

-       The range is 1-9, but it’s more simple than that.

-       Start from a 6, with 6 as “Average”

-       7 is good

-       8 is great

-       9 is amazing

Only dip below a 6 if you feel it’s terribly deserved. If you dip below, please leave a note as to why.

You can also leave positive notes.

-       Scores are valued this way:

-       Appearance: 20% / Texture: 30% / Taste: 50%

-       Taste is king.

-       Treat each box as its own entity, instead of a “versus” mentality.

-       There should be no foreign objects in the box, sauce on the side, or anything besides the protein and an edible garnish. For the dessert, extra garnish is allowed.

-       This is a backyard event, so approach judging with a fun attitude, and avoid unrealistic expectations.

-       For example, if there’s one little piece of fat hanging on the steak, don’t mark it a 6. Take the whole presentation into consideration, and ask yourself if it looks appetizing.

STEAK DETAILS: (1pm - 1:30pm turn-in)

This is the Execution Challenge protein of the day. The box should simply be a steak, and nothing else. We’re looking for a perfect medium finish - a soft, pink middle. Not too red. Not too gray. Here is a great chart that the SCA uses for this challenge (Note they have a different scoring method)

Each contestant chose two ribeyes this morning.

-       Start by looking at the outside of the steak - does it look appetizing? Beautiful crust? Overdone? Underdone?

-       Your rep will slice it down the middle. We’re looking for a perfect Medium (warm pink interior - not too rare, not too well-done.)

-       Write down a score for Appearance.

-       Your rep will slice you a piece of the steak from your choice. (Most pick the spinalis, the top part of the steak. This is the most tender area.)

-       Take a bite and write down a score for “Taste” and “Texture”

-       Write down a score for how the steak impressed you Overall. Overall will be used for tiebreakers, with Taste as the next level.

-       For Overall, add a bonus decimal point up to .9.

-       For example, if you think it’s just THE BEST, write 9.9.

-       If you think it’s pretty OK, you can write 8.3

-       If you think it’s not good, write 6.1

Burger: (2pm - 2:30pm turn-in)

This is a Classic Challenge. They can build a beefy burger in any way of their choice. It can be a single big burger, or sliders. They know it needs to be enough to feed six judges.

You’ll want to look for juiciness, big bold flavor, and great texture.

Your rep will slice the burger

Boxes can be garnished.

DESSERT: (3-3:15 turn-in)

This is the Creative Cook of the day. We’re asking cooks to make a dessert of their choice with edible garnish, and enough to feed six judges.

The main elements should be prepared onsite. Things like cool whip and dressings can be brought in.

There should be enough to feed six judges.

-       If there are not enough bites to go to at least 6 judges, they get a zero for each missing serving. If you are the 7th judge, and there’s enough for you too, that’s their advantage, as the lowest score would then be dropped. But if only 6 can be served, all scores count.

MORE TIPS

-       Wear something comfortable. You’ll be taking a lot of bites.

-       If you have questions during the process, don’t be afraid to speak up.

-       Avoid wearing pungent cologne/perfume, or any other scents that could affect judging.

-       Avoid smoking before entering the judging area.

-       Avoid engaging with the cooks until after the judging process is complete. We don’t want you to have any preconceived opinion.

-       We’ll be doing awards at 5:15 with Reid Ferguson of the Buffalo Bills. Would love to have you all hang around, and we can take a big “BBQ Family photo!”

-       Let’s have fun.

SCHEDULE

9am - 9:30am - Cooks arrive and setup

10am - Cook’s meeting at the Rink at the Turn-in station - Meat Selection for Steak & Beef

Cooks may now begin seasoning, marinating meats.

1:00 - 1:30pm - Steak turn-in

2:00 - 2:30pm - Burger turn-in

3:00 - 3:15pm - Dessert turn-in

Begin takedown of spaces

5-5:15pm -  Awards

Official takedown of spaces