Events and Activities : Cookout Contest planned at the Benton County Fair

An outdoor cooking contest designed to promote Iowa meat is being planned by the Benton County Farm Bureau. Contest coordinator, Bill Newton says, “You don't have to be an expert chef to participate; you just need to enjoy cooking outdoors with quality Iowa meat.” The 4th Annual Cookout Contest will be held on Saturday July 16th during the Benton County Fair in Vinton. Pre-registration is required and judging of entries will begin at 4:00 p.m.

Contestants can compete in one of six categories -- beef, pork, lamb/goat, poultry, turkey, or combo/specialty. Combo is a combination of at least two of the six meats in one recipe and specialty is any other Iowa domestic raised product (this does not include wild game). A Cookout Champion will be named, and awards will be given to winners in each category. The Cookout Champion, along with all first place category winners will have the chance to compete in the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest at the Iowa State Fair on August 16, 2011.

Anyone interested in entering the Benton County Farm Bureau Cookout Contest on July 16th should contact the county office at (319) 472-4710 or e-mail benton.county@ifbf.org for more details and an entry form.