Frequently Asked Questions

The British Live Fire Cooking Championships was born from a desire to bring something different to the table, a competition that breaks away from the expected and challenges cooks to redefine live fire cooking. This is a competition for passionate outdoor cooks - whether they’re home enthusiasts or seasoned barbecue chefs - who want to push boundaries, experiment with fire, and showcase the open-flame cooking. Unlike other contests, entry is free, and the public has a say in who makes it to the next round, making it a truly inclusive and exciting challenge.

Step up. Fire up. And dare to barbecue differently.

Once Round 1 entries close on 12th May, the Kadai team will review all submissions and select 15 standout entries that best fit the EAT (Execution, Appearance & Thought Process) criteria.

The names of these 12 finalists will be shared across our social media channels and website, along with their dish photo and explanation, so make sure you’re following along.

Then, it’s over to you, the live fire community. We’re handing the power to the public to vote for their favourite competitors. The top 6 contestants with the most votes will move on to Round 2. The voting platform will be live on our website so make sure you have your say.

If you’re entering, don’t forget to rally your friends, family, and followers to get behind you, every vote counts!

Once round one closes and the public has spoken, we move into Round 2 of the BLFCC 2025. This round will be run through our website, with all six remaining contestants facing a live fire challenge set by the Kadai HQ team.

The six contestants will receive a mystery challenge that they must complete within one month. Each contestant must cook a dish that reflects the challenge, producing one reel of the dish being cooked over live fire, a photo of the final dish and a explanation.

While entries will still be judged using the EAT criteria, this round introduces two new additions

• Execution - Cooking technique, fire control, and method.

• Appearance - Presentation and attention to detail.

• Thought Process - Not just creativity, but how well you explain your dish and choices. We want to understand the thinking behind the plate.

• Personality – This is where we get to know you. Your video should let your passion, confidence, and love for live fire cooking shine through. Show us who you are and what makes you stand out!

Two finalist will then be chosen by the Kadai HQ team with the final slot being filled by the peoples choice! Yes that means another public vote.

We can't wait to see what you bring to the fire. But first, let’s get those Round 1 entries in - it’s time for the competition to start hotting up!

The grand final of the British Live Fire Cooking Championships will take place at Ludlow Food Festival, the UK’s longest-running food festival, set within the historic Ludlow Castle.

Taking centre stage in the Inner Bailey, the final will unfold across three rounds on the Fire Stage sponsored by Kadai. Each round will challenge competitors with a unique live fire cooking task, testing their skill, creativity, and presentation.

How it Works:

• Each round of the competition takes place on one of the days of the Ludlow Food Festival.

• All three finalists will compete in Round 1 and Round 2, battling against the clock to serve up their best dish.

• Each dish will be cooked over live fire within a set time limit and served to a panel of three professional chefs.

• After Round 2, one contestant will be eliminated, leaving two to go head-to-head in the final round for the ultimate title.

Who will master the fire?

1st Place – The Ultimate Live Fire Champion

The winner of the BLFCC 2025 will be crowned the second British Live Fire Champion and have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete on the global stage at the World Food Championships in Indianapolis, with a shot at the $100,000 grand prize. Main Prize Package: Entry to the World Food Championships (valued at $1,000). Two flights to Indianapolis and accommodation for a week for two people. $500 spending money to enjoy the experience. £500 Kadai voucher to fuel your future live fire adventures. An engraved serving board, marking your victory in the BLFCC.

Total prize value: approximately £4,000!

Runner-Up Prizes

Two runner-ups won’t walk away empty-handed. Each will receive a £250 Kadai voucher, giving them the perfect tools to keep their live fire journey going.

We’ll be using the EAT criteria, a framework designed to assess your skills, creativity, and presentation:

Execution - Cooking technique. This is all how skills and control of live fire. With some many different possibilities in Live Fire barbecuing from slow cooking to high heat searing or even dirty cooking we want to see your skills. How well do you manage the flames? What technique or techniques have you used to bring the dish together? Show us your expertise and your confidence.

Appearance - How well the dish is presented. They say appearance isn’t everything, but for Round 1, it counts. We’re looking for dishes that are carefully plated, visually striking, and showcase your flair. This is your chance to impress, so take the time to plate up with attention to detail.

Thought Process - Creativity and originality. The BLFCC is built on creativity, and we want to see dishes that break the mould. Surprise us with bold ingredients, unique techniques, inventive use of accessories, or unexpected flavour combinations. This competition isn’t just about classic barbecuing, it’s about 'Daring to Barbecue Differently'.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Show us what you’ve got.

Kadai are the organisers of the BLFCC. We’ve spent the last 20 years pioneering live fire cooking in the UK, bringing traditional Indian fire bowls into homes and gardens to create authentic, live fire cooking experiences. With a deep love for craftsmanship, heritage, and the primal connection to fire, we’ve built a brand that celebrates cooking, community, and creativity over an open flame.