PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE BEFORE SUBMITTING A COMPETITOR APPLICATION!
Thank you for your interest in being a competitor in the Korean BBQ Festival! 🎉 Please read this entire page of information before submitting your application. You will also receive the entire set of competition rules via email once your application is approved.
If you are interested in being a non-competing vendor, we invite you to email us a description of your business with links to your website/social media to: info@grindcitybrew.com. We encourage dessert vendors and artisans to apply!
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🔥ABOUT THE EVENT
The Mid-South Korean BBQ Festival is a food & cultural festival celebrating Memphis in May's 2025 saluted country, South Korea!
The primary focal point of the Korean BBQ Festival is the cooking competition; 20-30 teams will compete in the categories of beef, pork, and/or dumplings. Competing teams can participate in 1 category, 2 categories, or all 3 categories. The competition teams are strongly encouraged to use Korean cooking techniques and flavors in the competition. Your team does not have to be Korean or of Korean descent to participate, and we encourage anyone who is interested in this exciting challenge to apply! There will be a trophy and cash prize for the winner of each category in addition to the Audience Choice Award. Teams may additionally seek sponsors for their booth. Sponsors must be family-friendly. Sponsors cannot take up more than half of your public-facing table that you use to serve samples.
Teams will compete for prizes in three competition categories:
1. Korean barbecue style beef
2. Korean barbecue style pork
3. Dumplings
The competition will take place at Grind City Brewing Co. 76 Waterworks Avenue, Memphis, TN 38107 on April 12, 2025.
Competing teams must be ready with samples for event attendees at 11am.
Competing teams must provide at least 600 samples throughout the day. For dumpling samples, a whole dumpling is encouraged. Additionally, teams must provide at least a 3-oz sample to each judge. This can be served with extras but these will not be the most central aspects of judging.
In addition to the competition samples, teams may optionally serve a for-purchase menu of 1-4 items. This menu can showcase your restaurant's offerings that are not otherwise highlighted in the competition itself! You must bring your own payment system to serve for-purchase items. Please note: Teams must prioritize serving samples over non-competition food.
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The event will also showcase desserts and Korean artisans as non-competition vendors with items for-purchase. If you are interested in being a non-competing vendor in the categories of dessert, artisan, artist, performer, or other specialized showcase of Korean & Korean American food & culture, please email info@grindcitybrew.com
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Application is free. Application link is at the bottom of this page.
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🔥APPLICATION DATES
Application Opens: February 17, 2025
Application Deadline: April 8, 2025
Applicant acceptance emails: Rolling, by April 8
Applicant Payment: Booths are $150 and include a 20' x 20' spot. You will be sent an invoice via email from Grind City Brewing Co. If you receive any other payment request, please report immediately!
Map of booth locations & load-in instructions emailed: April 4, 2025 (or when your application is approved if after April 4th)
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🔥 COMPETITION TIMING
Cooking Start: Competition starts at load-in the morning of April 12th
Samples ready for Early Entry: 11am (100-200 attendees)
Samples MUST be available at least during these hours: 11am-3:45pm AND 4:30-6pm
Judging: 4pm (4-4:30pm Judging Samples will be picked up from teams.)
Announcement of winners: 6pm
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🔥 OTHER RULES/EVENT FAQs FOR COMPETITORS
1. Competiton teams are required to have at least 5 team members, and it is recommended to have 8+.
2. Samples served to attendees must be of the same quality and ingredients as judges' samples.
3. Teams are outfitted with a blank 20x20' cooking & serving area by default, and can choose a larger booth spot. Your team is required to have a tent at the front of the booth to designate the sample serving area.
4. Teams will load-in right beside their booth/spot.
5. Teams must bring everything for a successful competition, including serving vessels/plates, a table to indicate the front of the booth/to serve from, chairs if desired, ice, food supplies, etc.
6. Teams can NOT leave the premeses to aquire more supplies. Please feel free to email info@grindcitybrew.com if you have questions about this.
7. Teams' family & friends may be present inside your tent as long as sample serving is not impeded.
8. Teams can serve a for-purchase menu of 1-4 items for any amount of time during the event.
9. Teams will have access to water and will receive bulk beer discounts to purchase beer day-of.
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Accepted teams will receive the full list of rules via email.
Have any other questions? Email info@grindcitybrew.com
APPLY HERE: