Selma’s annual Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-off will take place this Thursday at 6 p.m. at ArtsRevive.

According to Alabama Wildlife Federation Wild Game Cook-off Coordinator Tommy Tidwell, the organization began organizing the cook-offs around the state as a way to expose people to wild game.

“The whole thing has really humble beginnings” said Tidwell.

Tidwell said that the event is always a success, filled with comradery and a shared love of the outdoors between the attendees and the cook-off participants.

“It’s a really great time each year,” said Tidwell.
Attendees will be able to walk around sampling all of the different meats the contestants have cooked up.

There will be all sorts of game to sample at Thursday’s cook-off.

During his tenure as Wild Game Cook-off Coordinator, Tidwell has seen some pretty exotic eats.

“I don’t want to scare anybody off,” he said. “But someone in Selma last year actually made crow. People literally ‘ate crow’ last year.”

According to Tidwell there will be a first, second and third place award for 3 categories of dishes: fish, fowl and game.

The cook who prepares the highest scoring dish of the entire cook-off will go on to represent Selma in the state finals.

The Alabama Army National Guard will also host a boot where attendees can nominate their favorite dish for the people’s choice award.

Tickets for the cook-off can be purchased at www.alabamawildlife.org/wild-game-cook-off or at the event on Thursday.

Tickets are $50 dollars and include the admission of two people as well as an Alabama Wildlife Federation Membership.

Kids 15 and under are free.

“It’s really a great deal,” said Tidwell.