Q Fest Annual Backyard Barbecue Competition

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Q fest is back with a tentative date of Saturday, August 12, 2023!

After hearing from many of our teams and guests that have participated in previous events, we started to give Q Fest '23 some serious thought this year. Jill and I recently met with our core group of team members, and over a few beers, agreed that we needed to bring the Fest back for a long awaited 10th year. With the 2022 holidays fast approaching, we will postpone any further planning until early 2023 when we will get together to confirm the date and begin the planning in earnest. In the meantime, mark your calendars and give us shout if you would like to get involved or have any new ideas you would like to see at Q fest 2023. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement!

What Is Q Fest?

Q  Fest is an annual amateur backyard barbecue and grilling competition in Amherst, NY. We welcome all amateur barbecue and grilling enthusiasts who want to gain experience in a competitive food challenge, or who simply want to have fun and make new friends during an afternoon of great food, live music, and cold drinks. 

For all of us who have participated, Q Fest is much more than just barbecue. It has always been a celebration of family and friendship! Although the barbecue is what ties it all together, it would not be Q Fest without the people, the music, and yes, tipping back a few cold beverages together!

The event has grown each year and has been attended by as many as 200 guests!

We have been proud each year to use this event to raise money and awareness for local animal rescue efforts and facilities. We do not sell tickets to this event, but rather ask that each person consider a small donation to help local non-profit animal rescue groups. Over the years, we have been able to make significant contributions with the help of all our guests.  Each year after the event, we share the donation news with our followers on Facebook and include a few pictures of the animals we helped save. 

The original version of this website back in 2011 contained an amusing history of our interest in barbecue and Q Fest. It is an exercise in stupidity and crudeness, so read at your own risk. Don't say you weren't warned...HERE.

Competition Info

Registered teams, usually consisting of 2-3 people, pay a small fee to participate. All registration fees go directly to cash prizes awarded to teams in a People's Choice and a Judge's Choice contest. Each registered team is given 10 guest tickets for family and friends, with additional tickets given out free of charge on a first come first serve basis.

During the event, teams serve small, sample portions of their food,  and every guest with a ticket gets a vote for the best food of the day. Teams also serve sample portions to a panel  of judges who critique and award prizes. The number of teams competing changes each year, but we seem to have settled into a steady average of about ten teams. We can take up to 16 and are always looking for new teams to  join us. 

Guests can also get involved by bringing a plate of home-baked cookies and entering them in Jill's annual Cookie Contest.

If you are interested in competing if and when there is another Q Fest, you can find the full set of rules HERE.