Gravette Historical Museum sponsors sixth Dutch oven cook-off Aug. 11
GRAVETTE — The Gravette Historical Museum is sponsoring its sixth annual Dutch oven cook-off this Gravette Day, Saturday, Aug. 11. Cooking will begin about 8 a.m. on the museum grounds, and public demonstrations will be held beginning at 9 a.m. Public tasting and judging will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., and award winners will be announced at 3 p.m.
Randi VanNoy, the museum curator, is coordinating the cook-off again this year. There will be two divisions, a three-pot division in which entrants will prepare a main dish, a bread and a dessert, and a novice division, in which they will prepare only one dish. All entrants must submit copies of their recipes.
Judging in the three-pot division will be on originality, creativity, presentation, taste and teamwork. The entry fee is $20 per team. Medals will be given and cash prizes will be awarded, with $150 going to the first place winner, $100 to second place and $75 to third place. The people’s choice award winner, determined by votes from the samplers in the taste testing, will receive $50.
Entrants in the novice division will pay a $15 entry fee for teams of two members. Children, age 10 and older, may enter if accompanied by an adult. First place in the novice division will receive $50, second place $25 and third place $10.
Entry applications are available at the Gravette Historical Museum, 503 Charlotte Street N.E. For more information, contact VanNoy by calling 479866-7297 or email randi vannoy@yahoo.com.
Gravette Day visitors are encouraged to make the museum one of their stops during the day. In addition to the Dutch oven cook-off other attractions will include live music by members of the Old Town String Band and a raffle for several gift baskets filled with quality items donated by area businesses. A blacksmith plans to set up his forge on the grounds and will give blacksmithing demonstrations during the day with his main show at 1 p.m. A vendor will be selling organic soaps.
Public tasting bowls, entitling buyers to sample each entrant’s dishes, will be sold for $3 each. Raffle tickets will be available for $1 each, six for $5 or 13 for $10.