Cathedral Gorge State Park held its 12th Annual Dutch Oven Cook-Off Saturday evening.
It?s a tasty event where cooks put their culinary skills to the test to win great prizes.
This year?s event drew the most participants since its inception. The cook-off was promoted by the Lincoln Communities Action Team (LCAT), with funding from the Nevada Commission on Tourism, and sponsored by Nevada State Parks.
?This year we had the most entrants ever, with 40 dishes and 20 cooks,? said Dawn Andone of Nevada State Parks. ?People came from St. George, Cedar City, Las Vegas, Pioche, Panaca and Caliente.?
The four categories were Main Dish, Bread, Side/Vegetable Dish, and Dessert. Individuals and teams could enter in more than one category and were responsible for providing all food and supplies and for clean-up of their immediate area after cooking. All cooking had to be done in a Dutch oven and everything cooked on-site. Cooking began at 3 p.m. and tasting began at 5 p.m.
The People?s Choice Award was won by Steve Adamson of Panaca. First Place Bread Award was won by Bruce and Chris Rigney of Henderson for their Pizza Roll-Up Bread . The Rigney?s received a Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven and a $25 gas card. Second place was Carol Reed of Las Vegas for a Cornbread dish. She received Jerky Cannon and a $25 Gift Card. Third place went to Kevin and Ann Smith of Caliente for delicious rolls. They received a $50 gas card and a Dutch oven glove,
For side dishes, the Rigneys took first for their Sweet Corn Pudding. They received a 25th Anniversary Dutch Oven. Second place was Major Mastin for his Bean Medley. He received a propane tank. Third place Spence Hill for his potatoes. He received a $50 gas card and a Dutch oven glove.
For desserts, Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake by Rick Beach of Las Vegas was first prize. He received a Shock Top Fire Pit. Kathleen LeBlanc?s Andes Candy Cheesecake Brownie came in second. She received a ?Home is Where You Park It? chair. The Rigneys took home third prize with their Pumpkin Carrot Cake, and they received a Nevada State Parks Annual Permit.
First place for the main dish was won by Margaret Ann Garber of Las Vegas for her outstanding Corn and Pablano Lasagna. She received a Camp Chef Burner. Second place was won by Adamson for his chicken. He received a cancooker and a $25 gas card. Third place? was won by, once again, the Rigneys for their Old El Paso.
The cook-off is a friendly, non-sanctioned event that is growing each year. Even children under 16 may enter with a parent or guardian?s signature. Teams such as Boy Scout troops are covered by their official permit.
?We look forward to this event each year,? Andone said. ?Come out and join the fun next year, and enjoy good food, raffles and Cathedral Gorge State Park.?