To have a good time, to bring people together on common ground. Whatever reason it may be, you may decide you want to hold a cook-off. A cook-off is where you have people cook a certain type of food to the best of their ability. You judge the foods on different categories. The winner gets a prize.

[edit] Steps

Figure out the details for the event. You will need to do the following things:
- Make flyers to post up around town publicizing the cook-off.
- Find people who are willing to participate in the cook off. This includes cooks, judges, and staff to run the event. That part is up to you.
- Decide in advance what food you want to be made. It all depends on what is in season and what won't take long to make.
- Figure out where you want to hold the event. with some space to cook for each chef.
- Calculate the cost of holding the cook off. This includes cost of drinks, rice(cookers needed); set up area for each cook team, annoucement, staff, etc.
- Plan a date for the event. If you are holding the cook-off outdoors, plan a rain date in case of bad weather.
Once you get the details all figured out, finalize all of the recipes the chef's are going to use.
Hold the event on the planned date.
- Set up the chef's stations
- Announce the time limit
- Set the rules
Start the cook-off. Have a few people walking around and supervising the cooking.
Ring a bell or announce when time is up. Have the cooks stop cooking no matter what.
Have the judge(s) go around and sample each dish. They will be making comments on paper and to the chef themselves. You should have a number scale to rate the dishes on.
Announce the winner of the cook-off. This would also be a good time to give them their prize, if you have one.

[edit] Tips

At least 2 cooks and no more than 4 per team. Provide meal for at least 10 people (can cook larger quantity if you want) No pre-cooked entry. Must be cooked onsight. area to set-up, serving vessels and rice (if needed), drinks, and seating for diners will be provided. You will be judged on apppearance, taste, general quality, etc....