Wild game galore
Published 1:17 am Wednesday, November 4, 2009
SELMA — Interested in possibly tasting quail, venison, wild boar or even raccoon? Local wild game enthusiasts from the area will compete in the annual Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-off at the Central Alabama Farmer’s Co-op on Thursday at 6 p.m.
All teams will offer bite-sized samples of their dishes to attendants.
“The most original thing I have tasted was raccoon egg rolls,” said Tommy Tidwell, Wild Game Cook-off coordinator. “It was pretty good.”
Each team will compete in at least one of the three categories of wild game, fish and fowl. Any game species found in North America can be entered in the contest, provided one of the entrants or someone entrants know harvested the wild game.
“Most of them are backyard chefs,” Tidwell said. “But the dishes are things you could get in a four-star restaurant.”
Entry is free for cooking teams. Each team will also be given four memberships to the AWF. Registration must be completed prior to the day of the event.
“But, they still can put a cook team together,” Tidwell said.
Teams must supply ingredients and items for preparation, such as a grill. All paper supplies to serve food to the public is provided by the AWF.
Winners will be awarded in each of the three categories, and the overall winner will move on to the state competition at Lanark in Millbrook in August.
Guests can also participate in a silent auction and listen to live music.
“It’s a good way for people to connect with the community,” Tidwell said.
Tickets are $50, which admits two people and includes one membership to the AWF, subscription to “Alabama Wildlife” magazine and “all-you-can-eat” sampling of competitor dishes.
Children 15 and under get in free.
Proceeds from the event go toward the conservation programs of the AWF.
The AWF was established in 1935 to promote conservation and the respectable use of natural resources.