Cook-off

A cook-off is a cooking competition where the contestants each prepare dishes for judging either by a select group of judges or by the general public. Cook-offs are very popular within the Rabastorian Union (RBU) – particularly in Cobrio and Osarius – and take many forms there. In some formats of cook-off, the dishes prepared are very similar, and may require specialist judging, for example, by professional chefs or supertasters. In other formats, there may simply be a theme or focus. Various other gimmicks have emerged over the years in both Cobrio and Osarius, mostly designed for television.

Cobre cook-off

The standard format of a Cobre cook-off has participants arrayed in a large kitchen space, with each allotted their own working space and equipment. All participants are given access to the exact same ingredients in a shared pantry, well-stocked with staples and other ingredients. Due to this setup, the number of participants is typically only two or three, and almost always limited to five; though in some cases, there may be more if a suitable working space can be provided. Notably, the entrance exams for the most prestigious culinary colleges and universities in Cobrio and Osarius have seen up to one hundred participants at once, requiring a cohort of forty judges. A time limit is typically agreed beforehand, most often around two hours, though this may vary depending on the participants and theme.

Each participant produces at least four portions of their dish, which are then presented to four judges, all of whom will be recognised professionals with a degree of expertise. Each judge then scores each participant's dish from one to five inclusive – with one being the worst, and five being the best score – in four separate and distinct aspects of their dish: Presentation, Flavour, Technique, and Creativity. This provides a score out of twenty for each participant, with the highest scorer being named winner. In cases where two or more participants record the equal highest score, all participants achieving the score are named winners in a tie.

As the most popular format for cook-offs within the RBU, the Cobre format has been adopted and in many cases modified, for a multitude of other types of cook-off. A selection of these, along with their particularities, are listed below:

• Theme battle; the participants are given a "theme" for their dish, such as "Aquilliano cuisine" or "Childhood memories", and must create a dish that fits the theme.
• Secret ingredient cook-off; the participants do not know what the secret ingredient is until the moment the cook-off begins. The secret ingredient must be included in the dish.
• Illusion cook-off; the participants are tasked with creating a dish that looks like something else. The creativity score will relate mostly to how convincingly the dish resembles this other thing.
• Market challenge; the participants are provided with a limited budget, and a limited pantry. They must procure the remainder of the ingredients they need to create their dish from a farmers' market prior to cooking. The time limit is usually extended to allow time to source ingredients.
• Speed challenge; the participants are given a much more limited amount of time – typically between thirty and forty-five minutes – to create their dish.
• Handicap battle; one or more participants spin a wheel prior to starting the cook-off, with each segment representing a handicap. The handicaps vary from physical ("one hand tied behind your back") to technical (like prohibiting the use of a specific utensil or piece of kitchen equipment). These are common on the Cobre television show Mbido Megide Mmeri (Beginner against Winner), wherein an amateur cook takes on a professional, with the professional given a handicap to level the playing field.
• Skill challenge; the participants are tasked with creating a specific dish, which will test their knowledge and proficiency in specific technical skills. The creativity aspect of judging is removed for these cook-offs, and technique is graded from one to ten instead.

The format is also adjustable for team contests:

• Team battle; participants are grouped into teams, with one named "head chef". The rest of the contest progresses as normal. Team battles may also be combined with other types, for example, a team market challenge.
• Team elimination battle; participants are grouped into teams, and may use up to three members of their team for each cook-off. Cook-offs progress as normal, but after each result, all participants on the losing side are eliminated from the contest. The battle is won when all participants on the other side have been eliminated. As with team battles, each cook-off in an elimination battle may also be combined with other types, such as a speed challenge.

Head-to-Head cook-off

The Head-to-Head cook-off is a variation of the cook-off originating on the island of Kyoshiku, Osarius. It can take two general forms: formal, and informal. The formal variation has an agreed time limit, and may have any number of judges, as long as the number is odd. Dishes are not scored, but instead each judge expresses a preference for one dish over the other. Whichever dish is preferred by more judges, wins. This is called a formal head-to-head as it takes place in a specifically prepared kitchen area, with access to a stocked pantry, and the participants quite literally face each other due to the layout of the kitchen.

The informal variation typically allows participants a set amount of preparation time, and then they are pit against each other in a shared location such as a convention; or a busy street, with each provided a food cart. In these cook-offs, there are no judges, only the general public. The winner is simply the participant whose dish is eaten the most times. Depending on the agreed rules, the dishes may or may not be provided for free to the general public. In cases where the dishes are not provided for free, the winner is also required to break even on the cost of ingredients or generate a profit.