Wiktionary
cook-off
n. 1 (context chiefly US English) A cooking contest. 2 (context chemistry military English) Accidental detonation of explosives, especially as the result of excessive heat.
Wikipedia
Cook-off
Not to be confused with Cooking 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 among competitors (such as restaurants) with very similar dishes and serves as a way to decide which recipe is the best for that particular dish.
Usage examples of "cook-off".
And its ammunition uses a propellant whose cook-off point is one hundred degrees higher than the standard nitrocellulose powders which-was She waved a dismissing hand.