Backyard chefs across Iowa are invited to showcase their culinary skills and compete for the title of “Grand Champion” at Iowa Farm Bureau’s 59th Cookout Contest.
The event is held Tuesday, Aug. 15 during Farm Bureau Day at the Iowa State Fair. The Cookout Contest is a celebration of Iowa farmers who raise real meats with animal care and sustainability as their number one priority.
First priority for competition spots are given to grilling and smoking enthusiasts who are named the overall winner of a county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest. Iowans who cannot make a county Cookout Contest qualifying event but are interested in competing in lamb, poultry, turkey or the youth division (ages 13-18) at the Iowa State Fair are encouraged to sign up online. Spots for these specialty categories are limited, and participants will be notified of their selection by July 25.
Each first-place category winner will win $400. The Grand Champion will take home an additional $1,000 prize. The winner of the youth division will receive $300 and a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association.
For rules, county contest locations or specialty category sign ups, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/CookoutContest.