The $15 Low & Slow Feast
You don't need to be a pitmaster to enjoy world-class barbecue. For just $15, you get a stacked dinner plate piled high with authentic, competition-grade low-and-slow meats smoked right on site, alongside fresh club roast vegetables.
Competition Smoked Pork
Pulled pork, Boston butt, and tender ribs smoked low and slow over hardwood and lump charcoal until melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Competition Beef Brisket
Full packer beef brisket cooked for up to 14 hours. Rich crust, deep smoke ring, and unmatched juicy tenderness.
Hot Roasted Vegetables
Crispy roast potatoes, golden pumpkin, and hearty seasonal vegetables prepared fresh by the Upper Horton Sports Club kitchen.
Entry to the club grounds was free. Plates were payable at the venue on the night.
The Pits Are Full!
We have officially sold out every single smoking spot. Teams from across the region are bringing their custom smokers, pellet rigs, and offset pits to battle for glory and cartons of cold beer.
Are you a team wanting to compete?
Registration is strictly closed. You can join the standby cancellation waitlist by messaging the club.
What's On At Upper Horton
Club Can Bar
Fully stocked with ice-cold Great Northern, classic VB, craft beers, ciders, spirits, and soft drinks at genuine country club prices all day long.
Blind Turn-in Spectacle
Watch the intensity at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM as pitmasters present their unadorned barbecue boxes to the independent judging panel.
Beer Carton Championship
The stakes are cold and heavy: a full carton of beer awarded to the champion of every category at the 6:30 PM awards ceremony.
On-Site Camping
Camp right on the club grounds for Friday (25th) and Saturday (26th). $10/night unpowered or $20/night powered. Payable on arrival.
Event Schedule & Turn-In Times
Gates open early so you can smell the smoke, watch the masters at work, and enjoy a cold drink at the bar.
Meat Inspection & Fires Lit
All competing teams arrive on-site with raw, unseasoned meat. Pits, drums, and offsets are fired up across the grounds.
Club Doors & Can Bar Open
Head down to Upper Horton Sports Club! Grab an ice-cold beverage, check out the competition smoker setups, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Pork Turn-In & Judging
Strict 10-minute window (2:55 PM - 3:05 PM). Teams submit identical, unlabelled clamshell boxes evaluated on taste, tenderness, and presentation.
Beef Brisket Turn-In & Judging
The king of barbecue. Boxes hit the judges' table (4:55 PM - 5:05 PM) to be scored on bark formation, tenderness, and smoke depth.
Awards Ceremony & The $15 Feast is Served!
Section champions are crowned with cartons of cold beer. Immediately following the ceremony, dinner service begins! Hand in your $15 meal reservation and dig in.
Location & Club
Upper Horton Sports Club
Cobbadah Rd, Upper Horton NSW 2347
The sporting and social heart of our community. Enjoy lawn bowls, tennis, trail rides, cold drinks, and country hospitality.
Need info or booking assistance?
(02) 6782 7249Meat Fest 2027
Meat Fest 2026 was held on Saturday 26 September and was a complete sell-out — thank you to every pitmaster and diner. Details for the 2027 event will be published here once they are confirmed.
Want to know when the date is locked in, or thinking about putting a team in? Give the club a call or send us a message.
Behind the Pits
Wondering why the barbecue tastes extraordinary? Competitors must abide by strict Australasian Barbecue Alliance (ABA) standards:
60-Point Scoring Matrix
- Taste (30 Pts): Depth of woodsmoke and meat flavor
- Texture (20 Pts): Tender bite without turning to mush
- Appearance (10 Pts): Mahogany bark & natural color
The Golden Rules
- Zero Garnish: No greens or foreign items in turn-in boxes.
- Wood/Charcoal Only: Electric/gas for ignition only.
- Judges Final: 100% blind tasting by certified panel.