News : Vinton home to 2 State Fair Cookout Winners

Drew Sallee won first place in the Combo/Specialty category with his BePorkey Burgers.

Gene Peterson of Vinton cooks during the State Fair Cook-Off.

Steven Bruce was one of the area cooks who earned a spot in the State Fair Cook-Off.

Brett Richards won the Turkey Division with his BBQ turkey recipe at the State Fair.

Two Vinton residents received First Place awards at the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest held on August 17, at the Iowa State Fair. This was the 47th year for the annual competition and 40 grillers representing counties from around the state participated.

From Benton County, Brett Richards competed in the Turkey division with his BBQ Turkey recipe. Drew Sallee competed in the Combo/Specialty division with his BePorkey Burgers recipe which consisted of ground beef, ground pork and ground turkey. These 1st place winners received $75 in prize money.

Richards and Sallee, along with Gene Petersen, Mark Christy and Steven and Michelle Bruce traveled to Des Moines to compete with their winning recipes from the Benton County Farm Bureau Cookout Contest held in July.

The purpose of the county and state Farm Bureau cookout contests is to promote quality Iowa meat. Prize sponsors for the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest include the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau Financial Services, GROWMARK Inc., Iowa Propane Gas Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Iowa Beef Industry Council, the Iowa Turkey Federation the Iowa Poultry Association and the Iowa Sheep and Wool Promotion Board.