District Cooking Competition 2026

District Cooking Competition

Usual format is as follows: 

Teams to consist of two or three Scouts. Maximum of three teams per Troop. The competition is to be based on camp cooking under camp conditions.

The cooking will be outside, the grounds will be open from 9:00 to set up, please do not arrive earlier, each Troop to bring own shelters if it is wet. This year we will be at a new location, in a field. (Location to follow, near Coxhoe/Bowburn)

Each team will need to bring with them:

• Ingredients
• Presentation Equipment i.e. Nice Plates
• All pots, pans, cooking utensils
• All stoves, gas etc

The meal is to consist of three courses – Starter, Main course (hot), and a Dessert. Each team must devise its own balanced menu.

A printed or hand crafted menu should be provided to the judges on the day.

The team will be cooking for themselves, they are allowed to spend £7.00 per person, so if a team of 3 that’s £21, and team of 2, £14, everything must be costed with receipts attached. For bulk items such as pasta these can be broken down to cost per portion used.

The meal must be prepared, cooked and ready to eat between 11.00 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.

Everything must be cleared away by 12.00 p.m. Teams still cleaning up at 12:01 will be ranked after those which finished on time.

Scouts will be expected to heat up their own water for washing up.

Points will be given for:

• Menu – balance of meal (i.e. a single theme)
• Menu – Presentation (Printed and made nice)
• Costings – receipts required
• Hygiene
• Preparation
• Presentation of Food
• Timing
• Clearing away