Chuck Wagon Cook-Offs Gaining Popularity Fast

Chuck Wagon Cook-Offs Gaining Popularity Fast AG WORLD 28-2-23 Chuck wagon cook-offs are an event that is catching on across the country like wildfire. Competition is getting fierce according to participants Les and Lyda Darsey who ranch near McLean, Texas. Together with their daughters, Tonya and Robbie, they've caught the bug to compete in cook-offs far and wide. "It gets in your blood. We've traveled as far as 650 miles to enter cook-offs," Les admits. "What got us interested in it, is that everything has to be authentic. Everything is done the way it was on trail drives after the civil war in the late 1800's." The Darseys belong to the American Chuck Wagon Association, which has been around for about seven years, organizing events. There are usually about 20 cook-offs per year around the country, held in conjunction with some type of community celebration, often rodeo events. Each team of cooks (two to six people) brings their own authentic chuck wagon, and cooks with Dutch ovens and coals û the same way as the old trail drivers used to cook, and using the same ingredients. A committee of organizers supplies the ingredients and usually asks each team to cook five different foods such as: biscuits, meat (often chicken fried steak), cobbler (or other dessert), beans and potatoes. "We're given about half a day to prepare the food. Usually, we need about four hours, depending on which foods we're cooking," Les says. "Spectators come around and ask a lot of questions. When I'm cooking bread in the Dutch oven, I don't talk to anyone because it's awful easy to burn it." Crews are judged on the quality and overall appeal of their meals, and prize money is usually awarded. Another set of judges evaluates the authenticity of the chuck wagons, team member dress and overall impression. Since each wagon crew cooks enough food for 40 to 50 plates, the committee sells tickets to the general public. "Anything cooked outside with a wood fire tastes better, and there's a lot of good cooks at these events," Les says. "Often, tickets will be sold out two weeks before we ever get there. They're specific to a particular wagon, and certain wagons start to earn a reputation for superior cooking, so those tickets go even faster." Prize money totals can be as high as $8,000. For example, the food prizes might be $300 for first, $200 for second, and $100 for third place. Wagon awards are usually higher, such as $500 for the top wagon. While a successful wagon can earn quite a bit, the Darseys acknowledge that it is also a very expensive hobby û some wagon units (complete with all the necessary accessories) have sold for $20,000. The Darseys' 100 year-old wagon was originally built in Winona, Minnesota. "We found our wagon at Big Sandy, Montana," Les says. "It took us a week of travelling to get there and back. Authentic wagons have no modern bolts or screws in them. There's a lot to learn, but the association provides guidelines that help a lot in providing information on what is considered authentic." They say it is a real challenge to find the appropriate period utensils, clothing and paraphernalia. They are always on the lookout at flea markets, antique stores and garage sales. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Les and Lyda Darsey, HCR2, Box 12, McLean, Texas 79057 (ph 806 779-3148) or American Chuck Wagon Association, President Owen Noble, 5520 û 76 St., Lubbock, Texas 79424 (ph 806 794-2916; email: president@ chuckwagon.org; website: www. chuckwagon.org).

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