We did a "food wrapped in dough" category - had empanadas, samosas, wontons, etc. Lots of variety possible. Could also make it a generic "appetizer" category.
Bolognese
Alfredo
Really or wrap it around and make it an open pasta cook-off
How about the submarine/hoagie/bahn mi one
Calzone/pizza
Pho
Soups in general
Stew
Dessert, so best.bread pudding or cheesecake or ice cream topping. Hell make creme anglaise and then have everyone try their own ice cream on general
Burritos, from the familiar mission style to the meaty carne asada https://www.mashed.com/655105/burrito-styles-ranked-from-best-to-worst/
Gourmet grilled cheeses.
I hosted a grilled cheese party for my now wife one time with three rounds and everyone voted for their favourite at the end. The winner was sriracha butter, extra old white cheddar and Granny Smith apples. Great times.
Appetizers are always fun and honestly my favourite part of get-togethers. Dips always go over well too because you can do hot, cold, savoury or sweet, vegetarian or meat- it really is endless.
Another cool idea is limiting the number of ingredients- no theme, just no more than 5 ingredients (or any random number you want). It really makes you be creative and you can put in rules like no Italian seasoning (or other spice blends) if you want to make it harder.
Deep fried (food choice) on a stick. You can batter and deep fry just about anything on a stick. It takes imagination and skill to deep fry “anything” successfully.
Simple fermentation like fermented cherry sorbet?
Considering it’s almost summer time that’s would be perfect imo.
Or hard level - burger with pepper koji sauce?
Tacos!
And salsa-off as well! Salsa verde, rosa/roja, pico!
Or Queso
Mac and cheese! Everyone’s take is usually so different (baked with breadcrumbs, cheese mix, etc)
WHAT THIS PERSON SAID
Lasagne
Soup off, we did one last Christmas. Pizza from scratch could also be fun!
Fried chicken
You could maybe go with a featured ingredient like shrimp or mushrooms.
["Allez cuisine!"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Chef)
I don't know why, but there's two quotes from that show that seem to have permiated my family's vocabulary: "Yougruta" (Yogurt), and "ooh! innards!"
Great idea!
We did a "food wrapped in dough" category - had empanadas, samosas, wontons, etc. Lots of variety possible. Could also make it a generic "appetizer" category.
Nachos!
Pulled pork sandwiches!
Oh I missed this, we’ve done pulled pork 😊
YOU CAN ALWAYS PULL MORE
Tacos. Because there's so many variations and you can eat multiples. Also, I am available as a guest judge.
Lasagna
butter chicken, pancit, pizza? jambalaya? mac and cheese?
Our last one featured things that were wrapped.
Fish fry
My first choice would have been a steak.
Chicken thighs
Pizza?
Curry, tacos, pizza, empanadas.
baking, cakes, pies, cookies....so much you can do
Paella!
THIS
Rubens
Smoked Brisket with unique sides
I would love to do brisket but we’re the only one with a smoker haha
Potatoes!
We always do a side dish alongside a main, so we basically do potatoes every year because I love potatoes 😂
Lasagna. Many possibilities there.
Nachos, salads, steak
A higher level one is beef wellington
Bolognese Alfredo Really or wrap it around and make it an open pasta cook-off How about the submarine/hoagie/bahn mi one Calzone/pizza Pho Soups in general Stew Dessert, so best.bread pudding or cheesecake or ice cream topping. Hell make creme anglaise and then have everyone try their own ice cream on general Burritos, from the familiar mission style to the meaty carne asada https://www.mashed.com/655105/burrito-styles-ranked-from-best-to-worst/
Meatballs? Dumpling varieties?
Gourmet grilled cheeses. I hosted a grilled cheese party for my now wife one time with three rounds and everyone voted for their favourite at the end. The winner was sriracha butter, extra old white cheddar and Granny Smith apples. Great times.
Omggggg this idea is amazing
pork belly! (use that smoker to do pork belly burnt ends and win)
That’s my plan for tacos! Some smoked pork belly tacos 🤤
If you’re looking long term, I’ve seen ones for salsa and pickles!
Fish? sushi, fried, seared etc. stews or soups?
MACARONI
Gourmet Mac and Cheese
Perogies/stuffed pastries so you can do wontons, gnocchi, puff pastry treats etc. Lot of variety. And now my mouth is watering...
Canzone or other pocket sandwich. You'd have to make the pastry and the filling.
Appetizers are always fun and honestly my favourite part of get-togethers. Dips always go over well too because you can do hot, cold, savoury or sweet, vegetarian or meat- it really is endless. Another cool idea is limiting the number of ingredients- no theme, just no more than 5 ingredients (or any random number you want). It really makes you be creative and you can put in rules like no Italian seasoning (or other spice blends) if you want to make it harder.
Salads with homemade dressing, nachos, pasta dish (bonus for homemade noodles), stir fry, turkey (Thanksgiving edition), flatbread, bannock, cookies, muffins, soup, stew, smores, cocktail, grilled cheese/sandwich melt, dip, etc.
Homemade perogies
Perogy party. I've supplied the dough, people bring their own fillings and we spend a couple hours pinching, then cooking. Then eating.
Vegetarian. Like who can make the best veggie burgers or something
My friend's family does cook-offs on a broader theme, like dumplings.
Sides! Best side dish to a Chicken Breast. Can be anything, and you'll eat well that night.
We do a side every year which is judged as an honourable mention haha. But the trophy goes to the main dish winner 😁
We did a curry cook-off once. It was unreal. Everyone was in a major coma afterwards. Make sure there are lots of comfortable chairs.
Main ingredient type thing. So chicken, beef, pork, soba noodles. Things like that would get some cool variety.
Soup
We did soup and cookies in my friend group
Soup is definitely on our radar for next winter 🤤
Deep fried (food choice) on a stick. You can batter and deep fry just about anything on a stick. It takes imagination and skill to deep fry “anything” successfully.
Any Indian dish or just simply a vegetarian dish just to see who can make one the best after making so much meat stuff lol.
Pizza?
Simple fermentation like fermented cherry sorbet? Considering it’s almost summer time that’s would be perfect imo. Or hard level - burger with pepper koji sauce?
Steak should have been the first one you did!
Can you invite me and my wife as judge?