Second Annual Cook’en in the Park Dutch Oven Cookoff

Second Annual "Cook’en in the Park" Dutch Oven Cook-off
By Don Mason, Red Bluff, California

RED BLUFF, CALIFORNIA--The Second Annual Dutch Oven Cook-off "Cook’en in the Park" was held at the Red Bluff Park and Marina to benefit the City of Red Bluff summer swimming pool program. Dutch Oven teams arrived early Saturday morning to set up their kitchens and start their cooking fire. Teams came from Red Bluff, Stirling City, Colusa, Glenn, Corning Cottonwood, California and Reno, Nevada, for a total of 10 teams.

Judging started at 1:00 p.m. The Judges were Miss Tehama County Velma Goodwater, Frank Carlisi and Fred Webb all of Red Bluff. Upon completion of judging the spectators were invited to purchase sampling tickets to taste the Dutch Oven dishes and vote for the one they liked best.

Some of the dishes tasted were: Lip Smacken Port Butt, Eggplant American, Sicilian Lemon Chicken, Sourdough French Bread, Beer Bread with a Garlic Dipping Sauce, Fresh Apple and Carrot Cake, Savannah Cool Cake, Pineapple Pecan Upside-Down Cake and many more great dishes.

Winners for the 2nd Annual Dutch Oven Cook-off are:


Don Mason with Miss Tehama County (California). Don was the first place winner for main dish and dessert categories.

Main Dish
First Place: Don Mason, Pork Tenderloin with a Dried Fruit Medley in a Mango Ginger and Habanera Sauce.
Second Place: Ron Judson and Ruben Cortez (from Venezuela), Roast Beef with Vegetables in a Bordelaise Sauce.
Third Place: Jim and Caroline Geiger, Sicilian Lemon Chicken.


Joe Kittle with Miss Tehama County. Joe was the bread category. He also won the main dish category in the People's Choice awards.

Bread
First Place: Joe Kittle, Yeast Bread with Asiago Cheese.
Second Place: Nancy Enos, Beer Bread with a Garlic Dipping Sauce.
Third Place: Penney Baclowski, Soda Bread with Raisins.

Desserts
First Place: Don Mason, 4 Fruit (Blackberry, Blueberries Strawberries and Marionberries with a Whole Wheat Honey Pecan crust.
Second Place: Carly, Susan Hodges and Grandmother Joan Waver, Fresh Apple and Carrot Cake.
Third Place: Joe Kittle, Three Fruit Cobbler.


Liz Dawley (left) and Vicky Stegal with Miss Tehema County. These ladies won the bread and desert categories in the Peoples Choice.

Peoples Choice Award
Main Dish: Joe Kittle, Joe Mamma’s Ribs
Bread: Liz Dawley and Vicky Stegall,Dinner Rolls in a Bag
Dessert: Liz Dawley and Vicky Stegall,Savannah Cool Cake


After judging, spectators were able to taste the dishes and vote on their best. Interestingly, the judges and spectators had different opinions!