March 18, 2024

Farm Bureau Cookout Contest scheduled

An outdoor-cooking contest designed to promote Iowa meat is being planned by Clarke County Farm Bureau. Contest chairman Duane Phillips said you don’t have to be an expert chef to participate; you just need to enjoy cooking outdoors with quality Iowa meat.

This is the 50th year for Iowa Farm Bureau cookout contest and the 15th year for Clarke County Farm Bureau cookout contest.

Farm Bureau’s cookout contest is open to any Iowa resident age 13 years or older. Farm Bureau or affiliated company employees are not eligible.

Contestants can compete in one of the following six categories: beef, pork, lamb, poultry, turkey, combo/specialty. Combo is a recipe combining two or more meats from the eligible meat categories. Specialty includes domestically-raised meats including venison, goat, and fish etc. excluding wild game.

A cookout champion will be named, and awards will be given to winners in each cooking category. Special recognition will also go to winners of the showmanship, youth and team cooking categories.

The count contest will be held on Saturday, July 20, at Clarke County Fairgrounds. The county cookout champion will receive a trophy and $150. Other category winners will receive a trophy and $25 gift certificate.

The cookout champion, along with all first place category winners and winners of the showmanship, youth and team awards will have the chance to compete in the state finals at the Iowa State Fair on August.

Anyone interested in entering Clarke County Farm Bureau cookout contest should contact the county office at 641-342-6066 by July 13.