Raro
Pitmasters
2027

The CIBA Low & Slow pitmaster competition. Local teams against the best pitmasters from Aotearoa and beyond, cooking for a good cause.

WhenJune 2027Date TBC

WhereRarotongaVenue TBC

CircuitNZ BBQ AlliancePoints event

01 Two days of fire

Friday

Steak Cookoff Association (SCA) steak cook-off to light the fires. Fast, hot and creative.

Saturday · Main event

The CIBA pitmaster championship. Teams cook through the night and turn in four categories for a grand champion.

Every box is scored by a panel of local and international judges on

AppearanceTextureTaste

2021
The first Pitmasters
Rarotonga's first barbecue pitmasters competition fires up, with NZ judges blown away by the local cooking.
2022
A festival of fire
Grows into the week-long Raro Fire & Food Festival and joins the NZ Barbecue Alliance circuit. Monemone BBQ takes the title.
2023
Wind, rain & brisket
60 kg of brisket, 60 kg of pork, 800 wings and three whole mutton. Monemone BBQ go back-to-back. Raro also hosts its first SCA steak cook-off.
2024
Three-peat
Taua & Helema Elisa's Monemone BBQ win a third straight championship.
2025
CIBA goes global
The Cook Islands' first team at Meatstock NZ. Back home, new locals Sharpulled Porkies win overall local and pork; 2 Girls and a Grill are international grand champion.
2026
Sixth fire
The festival moves to a new venue for its sixth year, 26–27 June.
2027
Your name here?
The seventh Raro Fire & Food Festival. The pits are waiting.

Proceeds support the Rarotonga Sailing Club and the island's young sailors.

Helps send the Cook Islands Barbecue Alliance team to international competitions.

Dates, venue, entry and tickets will be announced soon. Message the organisers to register your interest.