Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The 18th chuckwagon cook-off kicks off at Ute Lake Park on Saturday.
Chuck Decker of Mountain Trails chuck wagon in Rye, Colorado, cooks chicken fried steaks in the cast iron skillet as hot coals cook apple cobbler and biscuits in Dutch Ovens during last year's Chuckwagon cook-off at Logan.
Despite a drop in participating teams, organizers say residents and visitors will not be disappointed at the 18th annual chuck wagon cook-off Saturday at Ute Lake State Park in Logan.
Coordinator Sharon Reid said thanks to a publication in an Albuquerque-based magazine, there has been interest from as far as California in the upcoming cook-off. She said to date, five chuckwagons have entered the competition with another from Amarillo showing interest.
"For those enthusiasts of the old west you wont be disappointed in the authenticity of these chuckwagons and their crews," Reid said.
Reid said she has spoken with several people who would like to visit with the chuckwagon crews before the event. She said the crews will begin arriving on Friday, and residents can come by to visit as the teams set up camps.
"These chuckwagon masters and crews are happy to share the story of their chuckwagon and the history of their competition," Reid said. "However, on Saturday they are going to be a little too busy to talk, (as they're) preparing their authentic meals for the competition and visitors."
Reid said the competition will feature a chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, beans, biscuits and apple cobbler. She said these meals will be cooked in traditional Dutch ovens (cast iron) over wood fires and hot coals.
Reid said the event, sponsored by the Canadian River Renegades, raises money that is used for sponsoring college scholarships for local students.
"This event allowed us to give two scholarships to local students last year," Reid said.
For information, tickets contact Sharon Reid at 575-403-8320.
