What exactly is meant by "vending?"

[Stephen T]

At the risk of asking a stupid question, I know the literal definition of vending, but I see it used here by folks who don't appear to own a restaurant or BBQ catering operation.

In what context is the vending going on? At competitions?

 

[Randy P.]

I done 5 KCBS contests last year and seen someone at each event to be what I considered "vending", which to me means selling. They all appeared to be former or current competitiors on the circuit. I don't think they are entered in the same contest they are vending, not sure though didn't ask. I have read about the "BBQ Bucks" on here but haven't seen that anywhere.

I always give anyway lots of meat and had people offer me money and would not take it. I don't consider this vending. I have been told by vistors that they had to pay other competitors for anything but I still don't consider that vending. Just my opinion. I have also met several teams that compete, own a restaurant and a catering company or any combination of the above. One team from Arkansas has the 2 wives stay home and run the restaurant and make all the money for the 2 men to travel the country competing on the circuit. (I really liked this idea!!!)

I would assume some contests has rules along these lines about vending but never look into it.

 

[Mike J]

Vending is selling. Selling is vending. Some contests allow competitors to sell to help offset the costs of competing. Some actually require contestants to be able to cook for a certain # of people as well as the judges, so that the public has something to try. There is often a peoples choice award in these events. Other contests will allow vendors to sell that are unrelated to the contest and usually pay a hefty fee to the organizers for the right to be there. A local BBQ restaraunt may choose to vend rather than compete as to make money if the competitors aren't allowed to sell. Think of all those people walking around seeing and smelling all that BBQ, but only having one place where is was OK to buy it.

 

[Stephen T]

Gotcha, so the context is BBQ competitions, not somebody setting up a cart in the park or something. Makes sense now.