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 April 21st, 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 15 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.

For the first round of the competition, you will need to cook your favourite live-fire dish - the sky's the limit! The only condition is that the dish has to be cooked over a live fire using either wood or charcoal. Take a photo of your completed dish and film a short video describing the food and telling us about yourself. Once you've done this, you just need to upload it to this form and fill in your details. It's as easy as that! ​ Entries for 2025 are open until 21st April

Entries are open from 1st March 2025 and close on 21st April 2025.

Entries are open until 21st April 2025

Anyone with a passion for live fire cooking! The BLFCC is an inclusive competition, welcoming people from all backgrounds and levels of experience in the Live Fire community. Whether you're a seasoned barbecue chef or an at-home chef who loves cooking over flames, this is your chance to step up and showcase your skills. Many of our 2024 entries came from home cooks who simply love the thrill of live fire cooking and this year, that could be you. If you’re ready to take on the challenge, you could find yourself competing on the fire stage at Ludlow Castle and even earning a spot at the World Food Championships in America. Dare to barbecue differently

This is more than just a competition. It is an opportunity to try something new, connect with others, and be part of this new exciting competition. Nothing to loose - The BLFCC is the UK’s only free live fire competition Stand out in the live fire community – Show off your skills and push yourself to try something different. Cook at the UK’s oldest food festival – The Ludlow Food Festival is the stage, rich with culinary heritage founded in Shropshire in 1995. Compete in a medieval castle – The final takes place at Ludlow Castle, a historic fortress dating back to the 11th century creating the perfect venue for a live fire cooking battle. Meet like-minded fire chef – Build connections, share techniques, and immerse yourself in the live fire community. Experience a fire-fuelled weekend – Finalists get a three-night stay in Ludlow, soaking up the festival and competition atmosphere. Step up, fire up and dare to barbecue differently.

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.

Nestled in the heart of Shropshire, Ludlow is a town steeped in history and renowned for its rich culinary heritage. The Ludlow Food Festival, is the UK's original food festival, which has been celebrating the finest local and seasonal produce from the Marches region since 1995. Visitors can explore a dynamic programme of cooking demonstrations, workshops, and tastings, all while engaging with over 100 independent food and drink producers. Ludlow itself is known as a foodie hotspot, once home to more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than anywhere outside London. Its market town setting, makes it the ideal backdrop for an event dedicated to authentic, bold, and creative cooking.

The UK's Oldest Food Festival – A pioneer in the food festival scene, Ludlow Food Festival attracts a passionate audience of food lovers, making it the ideal place to showcase the best in live fire cooking. An Audience That Loves Great Food – With thousands of visitors every year, the festival provides the perfect platform for competitors to showcase their skills and inspire others. A Celebration of Artisanal Food and Fire Cooking – Ludlow is known for its commitment to quality ingredients, slow food, and expert craftsmanship, aligning perfectly with the values of the BLFCC.

Steeped in nearly 1,000 years of history, Ludlow Castle is the ultimate venue for the British Live Fire Cooking Championships. A place of medieval feasts, roaring fires, and centuries-old traditions, this legendary fortress sets the stage for our competition. Why we are blessed to have Ludlow Castle? A historic home for fire cooking - For centuries, Ludlow Castle has been a place where food was cooked over open flames and where great feasts have always been held. The ultimate live fire arena - The Inner Bailey, where the BLFCC final takes place, creates a truly dramatic setting, where competitors cook with flames under the castles ancient walls. The heart of a foodie town – Ludlow has long been a place for food lovers, with a collection of local food producers, restaurants and open air market.

12th, 13th & 14th September 2025 at Ludlow Castle

Since its debut in 2012, the World Food Championships (WFC) has been the proving ground for the world’s most skilled and creative cooks. It has launched the careers of 30+ TV food stars, awarded over $3 million in prize money, and generated more than 10 billion media impressions, making it the most recognised stage for competitive cooking. The WFC pioneered "Food Sport", creating a level playing field where chefs, home cooks, and barbecue masters can compete fairly, push culinary boundaries, and showcase their talent on a global stage. With a transparent judging system and a festival-like atmosphere, the WFC is more than just a competition, it’s a celebration of food, skill, and passion. At the heart of the culinary competition world, the WFC is where the best of the best gather.

October 16-19 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion

October 16-19 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion