Q Fest Annual Backyard Barbecue Competition

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It was heartbreaking for us back in 2019 when we had planned to bring Q Fest to it's close with a blastin' 10th Anniversary event. Although we greatly enjoyed every Q Fest from the beginning, the work involved in planning and putting on an event for 200 people each year was taking a toll and we were prepared to move on. Well, the 'vid had other ideas and we never got that chance to celebrate one last time with our loyal friends and family who supported us all these years. We have started to hear from many people these past few months who have asked us to reconsider bring Q Fest back, at least one last time in 2023. And so, we are very much considering a Q Fest 2023 for sometime next summer or fall! We will be gauging interested from the cooking teams we haven't heard from yet and soliciting some much needed help on the planning. If we can pull it together, we are f!@#ing in! Stay tuned for a final decision sometime this fall 2022!

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.