Dutch oven cookoff at Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch

Anyone in the Plumas County, California, area on Saturday, May 31, 2014, is invited to a Dutch oven cookoff at Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch at 1 p.m. The ranch is located at 2116 Greenhorn Ranch Road, about 10 miles east of Quincy on State Route 70. The event flyer says there will be "raffles, gunfighters, vendors and music." A pulled pork barbecue tops the day at 5 p.m.

You need to call the ranch to sign-up or receive additional information as the flyer doesn't state the start times for the cookoff. The phone number is (530) 283-0930. You can also email the ranch at ride@greenhornranch.com or visit the website at www.greenhornranch.com/.

Debbie and I visited the guest ranch yesterday. The cookoff looks like a great way to kickoff their spring season, which opens May 14. We met owners Trish and Ralph Wilburn in the saloon, where they were hanging out after an afternoon mowing the lawn, tending to the horses, etc. Trish invited us to the first weekly public barbecue of the season on Friday, May 30. We won't be able to visit the ranch for the cookoff on Saturday, but will enjoy the barbecue on Friday evening.

Historic Hawes Farm Dutch oven cook-off

I received this information from Don Mason of Red Bluff. For information, please email cookoff@HitoricHawesFarms.com or visit HistoricHawesFarms.com.

Fort Crook Dutch oven cookoff

Hello All Dutch Oven Cooks:

Hope you can make it to this great Dutch Oven Cook-off at Fort Crook “Pioneer Day” in Fall River Mills, California on June 1, 2013.

Thanks,

Don Mason

2012 Olive Festival and Dutch Oven Cook-off in Corning, California

Here's a note from Don Mason:

Hi Dutch oven cook:

On August 25, 2012 in Corning, California, the 23rd Olive Festival will be held. Festival organizers are requiring that only California Processed Olives are to be used in one of the three dishes. This should not be a challenge to you great Dutch oven cooks.

The Dutch Oven cookoff will be held at Woodson City Park (southeast corner South and Peach Streets). You will have a 12'x12’ cooking area with one table. You will be cooking in an open area and the weather might be a problem. It is recommended that if you have a type of E-Z up instant shelter. Note: We will be in the same area as last year. This is the hot time of year so dress cool and drink a lot of water.

We will be there about 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. A cooks meeting will be held a 9:00 a.m. At this time the judging time will be assigned. Judging will commence at 1:00 p.m.

This is a 3 pot cookoff: Main dish, bread and dessert or one or two pots is okay. The public will be invited to taste the dishes after judging and vote for the ones they like best.

Cash awards will be for the following: First place for main dish, bread and dessert receives $50 and a plaque. Second and third place will receive plaques. First place in each category for Peoples Choice Award will receive a plaque. This should be a fun Dutch oven cookoff and sharpen your culinary skills. Beginning Dutch oven cooks are invited. Also 4-H, Boy Scouts and Junior groups are invited to cook an adult must accompany this division. Plaques will be awarded to this division.

If you have any questions please contact the Corning Chamber of Commerce at (530) 824-5550 or corningchamber@abcglobal.net.

Good luck

2012 Colusa Western Days Dutch oven cookoff

Don Mason passed this information to me:

Dutch oven cookoffs for Northern California, Southern Oregon and Western Nevada

This list is much shorter than past years. Several cookoffs have either dropped off or haven't been schedules this year. I'll post revisions as I get them from Don Mason.

February

None scheduled

March

Nor–Cal Boat, Sport and RV Show
March 4-6, Shasta District Fairgrounds, Anderson, California
March 4: Iron chef cookoff
March 5: Dutch oven cookoff
March 6: Barbecue cookoff. Shasta County Fairgrounds
Contact: Lynn Gilliss, 530-365-1381 or mail@norcalsportshow.com
Space is limited, so enter early

April

Ride for Life Cancer Fund Raiser and Dutch oven Cookoff
April 2, Red Bluff, California
For more Dutch Oven Cook-off information and applications contact Don Mason at 530-527-1027 or dmason50@att.net

Colusa Western Days Dutch Oven Cookoff
April 2, Colusa County Fairgrounds, Colusa, California
Contact: Colusa Chamber of Commerce, 530-548-5525
The oldest Dutch oven cookoff in Northern California; rib cookoff on Sunday, April 5

Red Bluff Round-Up Chili and Dutch Oven Cookoff
April 9, Red Bluff, California
For information contact Don Mason at 530-527-1027 or dmason50@att.net

May

Back Country Horseman’s Pack Clinic and Rogue Dutch Oven Cooker’s Dutch Oven Cookoff
May 6, Klamath County Fairgrounds, Klamath Falls, Oregon
Registration is free
For more information, contact Dave Herzog at 541-613-4758

Cooking in the Park has been rescheduled to April 9, 2011 and combined with the Round-Up Chili Cookoff and Dutch Oven Cookoff

June

Carson City Rendezvous
June 11 and 12, Carson City, Nevada.
June 11: Dutch oven gathering -- 3 p.m. start cooking and serve at p.m.
June 12: Dutch oven cookoff -- starts at 9 a.m. with a 3 pot cookoff
Registration is $250 per team
Prime Rib Tickets (for DOG on the 11th) $15 per person
For more information contact Dave Herzog at 541-613-4758 or norcaldutchovendave@yahoo.com

July

Nothing scheduled

August

Paradise Cowboy Poetry and Dutch Oven Cookoff
August 13, Gold Nugget Museum, 502 Pearson Road, Paradise, California
Gates open 7 a.m. for cooks; 3-pot cookoff is $10 per dish or $25 for all three
For more information, contact Steve "Woody" Culleton at 530-521-1984 or moesteve@comcast.net

Olive Festival and Dutch Oven Cookoff
August 27, Woodson City Park, Corning, California
Fore more information, contact Corning Chamber of Commerce at 530-824-5550 or Don Mason 530-527-1027 or dmason50@att.net

September

Draft Horse Classic and Dutch Oven Cookoff
No date set, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Nevada City, California

October

Fortuna Dutch Oven Society Apple Festival Dutch Oven Cookoff
No date set, possible October 2, Fortuna, California

Trinity County Historical Society Dutch Oven Cookoff
October 8, Weaverville, California
For more information, contact George Chapman at 530-410-8013.

Historic Hawes Ranch Dutch Oven Cook-off
No date set, Anderson, California
For more information, contact Carrie Moore at 530-229-3626

November

Nothing scheduled

December

Nothing scheduled

Wiskey Creek Dutch oven potluck

Remember this was canceled due to rain last November, so lets cook in March and maybe catch an almond blossom. Don Mason

Historic Hawes Farm first annual Dutch cookoff

The First Annual Dutch oven cookoff at the Historic Hawes Farm will be held Saturday, October 30, 2010. This event will be held at Historic Hawes Farms, 21923 Dersch Road Anderson, California.

This is a three-pot contest. However, if you wish to cook in one or two pots, that is okay. The three-pots cookoff should have a main dish, bread and dessert. $100 and a plaque will be awarded to the first place winner for each category. Plaques will be awarded to second and third places. You could win all three! We will be cooking in an open air barn. Halloween theme table decorations are encouraged. A special plaque will be given for the best table decoration.

Please return the application by October 8th. We need to arrange for tables and chairs.

We will be there about 7 a.m.. Start cooking when you need to. A cooks meeting will be held at 9 a.m. and judging will commence at 1 p.m. The public may purchase tasting tickets ($5 each) to sample your dishes after they have been judged. The ticket holder then can vote for the dishes they like best. Plaques for People Choice Award will also be awarded.

We are encouraging all beginning Dutch oven cooks to participate and cook. You should have a good time and you can learn a lot. As our rules say, "Have Fun and Cook great Food."

If you have any questions please contact Don Mason at dmason50@att.net. Hope you can join us for good fun and great food.

Weaverville Dutch oven cookoff

Hi All:

Mark your calendar for this great Dutch oven cookoff. Lots of fun and lots to do.

Don Mason

Dutch Oven Cookoff
Trinity County Historical Society
P.O. Box 333
Weaverville, CA 96093
530-623-5211

Dear Dutch Oven Cooks:

On Saturday, October 9, 2010, the Trinity County Historical Society is hosting its 3rd annual TCHS Dutch Oven Cookoff. Proceeds from the cookoff go to a special project fund of the TCHS.

Cooking will take place in the Hal Goodyear History Park at the Jake Jackson Museum located on Main Street/Hwy 299 West in Weaverville, California. The cooking area opens at 7 a.m. A cooks meeting and sign-in will start promptly at 9 a.m. with People's Choice judging commencing at 1 p.m. This is a 1 to 3 pot cookoff: main dish, bread and dessert. There is a $10 entry fee per dish.

The public will be invited to purchase a tasting ticket and a ballot ($5 per person) to sample and vote for People's Choice Awards for each category (main dish, bread and dessert). Each category will have 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Prizes this year for each category are: $100 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, and $20 gift certificates to the TCHS for 3rd.

The table judged as "best looking" will receive a 1st place prize. The theme of the tables will be gold mining (the cook-off takes place in a gold mining history park). Judging will be based on theme, visual impact, beauty/order, and creativity.

Cookoff entrants will have a 12’ x 12’ cooking area with one table. You will be cooking in an open area so bring a type of E-Z up instant shelter. Trash cans for regular and recycled materials are provided.

Breakfast is easily had in the neighborhood of the park: The Nugget to the south and the Garden Cafe to the north, and often there is a community breakfast held at the Parish Hall of the Congregational Church (as of this letter this event has yet to be formalized).

Other activities are held the weekend of October 9th. The Salmon Festival will be celebrated in the Highland Art Center's park across the street from the museum. The museum will be holding a blacksmithing course on the same day.

My contact cell number is 530-410-8013. I look forward to seeing you in Weaverville. Come "show off" your culinary skills and enjoy beautiful Trinity County.

Sincerely,

George P. Chapman
TCHS Dutch Oven Cookoff Chair

Contact the historical society for a copy of the rules and entry form.

2010 Olive Festival and Dutch Oven Cookoff in Corning, California

Here's a note from Don Mason:

Hi Dutch oven cook:

On August 28, 2010 in Corning, California, the 21st Olive Festival will be held and this year they have added a Dutch oven cookoff. This should be a challenge as the festival organizers are requiring that only California Processed Olives are to be used in one of the three dishes. This should not be a challenge to you great Dutch Oven Cook.

The Dutch Oven cookoff will be held at Woodson City Park (southeast corner South and Peach Streets). You will have a 12'x12’ cooking area with one table. You will be cooking in an open area and the weather might be a problem. It is recommended that if you have a type of E-Z up instant shelter. Note: We will be in the same area as last year. This is the hot time of year so dress cool and drink a lot of water.

We will be there about 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. A cooks meeting will be held a 9:00 a.m. At this time the judging time will be assigned. Judging will commence at 1:00 p.m.

This is a 3 pot cookoff: Main dish, bread and dessert or one or two pots is okay. The public will be invited to taste the dishes after judging and vote for the ones they like best.

Cash awards will be for the following: First place for main dish, bread and dessert receives $50 and a plaque. Second and third place will receive plaques. First place in each category for Peoples Choice Award will receive a plaque. This should be a fun Dutch oven cookoff and sharpen your culinary skills. Beginning Dutch oven cooks are invited. Also 4-H, Boy Scouts and Junior groups are invited to cook an adult must accompany this division. Plaques will be awarded to this division.

If you have any questions please contact the Corning Chamber of Commerce at (530) 824-5550 or corningchamber@abcglobal.net or Don Mason at (530) 527-1027 or dmason50@att.net.

Good luck

2010 Carson City Rendezvous Dutch oven cookoff

I plan to be in Carson City on Saturday, June 12, 2010 with my chuckbox and Dutch ovens ...

Don’t Just COOK, Win!!
Compete for a chance to cook in the World Championship Cookoff!

2010 Carson City Rendezvous Dutch Oven Cookoff
June 13, 2010 - Carson City, Nevada

The Cast Iron Cooks of the West want to taste your Dutch oven creations in Carson City.

This fun ‘event within an event’ provides anyone a chance to win. Beginners have beat experienced cooks at many cook-offs in the past, so everyone has an equal chance of winning a trophy, money, and a full stomach after sampling everyone’s dishes! Contestants can be of any age; our Junior category is specifically for those under 18. Four winning teams have made it to the finals at the World Championship Dutch Oven Cookoff in Sandy, Utah!

Dutch oven cooking activities at the 2010 Carson City Rendezvous include Outdoor Dutch oven cooking classes and demonstrations on Friday and all day Saturday! Learn how to season and care for cast iron, how to cook in your Dutch oven whether camping or at home, baking sourdough bread and extravagant desserts, all taught by the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games Dutch oven Chef David Herzog.

Saturday evening will feature a D.O.G. or Dutch Oven Gathering, where everyone is invited to bring your Dutch oven(s) and your favorite recipes to share in a potluck! You don't have to be an experienced Dutch oven cook to join us Saturday evening, even if you've never cooked in a camp Dutch oven, just show up with your iron, charcoal, recipe, and ingredients and Dave will be more than happy to help you get started!

If you haven’t cooked in a cookoff before, don’t be afraid of cooking with us! We promote fun times and more fun times at our cookoffs! Beginners have beat experienced cooks at many cook-offs in the past, so everyone has an equal chance of winning a trophy, money, and a full stomach after sampling everyone’s dishes!

We are also looking for Junior contestants, 18 and younger. Any individual or group, such as schools, scouts, clubs, teams, etc. can enter as Juniors. All contestants can compete in Main Dish, Bread, and Desert categories; those over 18 can also compete in the Breakfast category.

Sunday is the big day of Dutch oven competition! There will be 2 competitions, a breakfast competition starting at 7:30 a.m. with judging at 9:00 AM and the main event starting at 10:00 a.m. with judging around 1:00 p.m. Thanks to our friends at Smith’s Food & Drug Stores and their Neighbor to Neighbor Fund for sponsoring this contest.

Visit http://www.carsoncityrendezvous.com/ or call 775.887.1294 for an application and further information. You can also register at the time of the cook off.

Past winners Rex Recheteiner and Mary Williamson encourage you to try their award-winning recipes:

DOG DISH MEATLOAF
Rex Recheteiner & Mary Williamson

1 pound hamburger
1 package stuffing mix, made according to directions
1 envelope meatloaf seasoning
1 to 2 eggs, slightly beaten
Onions, mushrooms, salt and pepper to taste

Topping
2 parts catsup
1 part brown sugar
1 part mustard

Mix ingredients together and pack into a stainless steel dog dish. Top with topping and bake at 375 degrees (17 top / 11 bottom coals) for 90 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

SOUR CREAM APPLE PIE
Rex Recheteiner & Mary Williamson

No Roll Pie Crust
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup corn oil
3 tablespoons cold milk

Mix all ingredients in pie plate until flour is dampened. Press in pan with fingers.

Pie Ingredients
2 tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg
1 c.upsour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 cups chopped apples

Mix dry ingredients together. Add egg, sour cream and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Add apples. Pour into pie shell. Bake at 400 degrees (18 top / 12 bottom) for 45 minutes.

Topping Ingredients
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup softened butter

Mix together until crumbly. Sprinkle topping evenly over the pie and bake another 20 minutes with top coals only. Add necessary coals to maintain heat.

Cookin' in the Park, Red Bluff

Dutch oven cookoffs for Northern California, Southern Oregon and Western Nevada

Here is Don Mason's 2010 list of Dutch oven cookoffs in Northern California. Originally intended to broadcast cookoffs in the north state, Don has expanded it to include events in Southern Oregon and Western Nevada.

Check with the contact person for applications, rules and maps and to make sure dates and times are correct.

Winter Camp Cookoff

Try the Colusa (California) Winter Camp Cookoff is you're looking for a challenging experience. Fog, rain and a nasty crosswind all promise to make cooking in a Dutch oven a trying experience.

Don Mason's Dutch oven newsletter

Here's the latest edition of Don Mason's Dutch oven newsletter. Email Don to receive a copy electronically.

New Dutch oven cookoff in Colusa, Calif.

This looks like a fun cookoff and will benefit a great cause. And there's no charge to cook!

Don Mason

Fortuna Apple Harvest Festival Dutch oven cookoff

The Fortuna Dutch Oven Society will hold its 4th annual Dutch oven cookoff at the Fortuna (California) Apple Harvest Festival this Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Rohner Park.

This is a one- to three pot cookoff. Cookoff categories include main dish, bread and and dessert. You may sign up for one category or all three. Apples must be incorporated into the dessert dish.

A $75 cash prize will be awarded to the 1st place winner. Second place wins a $25 award. A Peoples Choice Award will be given based on food sampling be the public.

For more information, cookoff application and rules, please contact Marvin Rutledge at (707) 764-3547.

Whiskey Creek Dutch oven gathering

This comes from Don Mason:

Dutch oven cookoff at Nevada County Draft Horse Classic

Don Mason sent me news of another fall cookoff in Northern California.

Mother Lode Cast Iron Cookers will be hosting their 5th annual Dutch oven cookoff at the Draft Horse Classic at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California on Sunday September 27, 2009.

This is a three-pot cookoff. You may enter main dish, bread or dessert. Cost is $10 each or $30 for all three categories. Make checks payable to Larry Martin-MLCIC. Mail to:

Mother Lode Cast Iron Cookers-Dave Fleuti
10856 Oak Dr.
Grass Valley, CA 95949

Questions call Dave Fleuti at 530-277-7622 or e-mail mlcic@yahoo.com.

This years judging will be a "blind judging" by local dignitaries and a people's choice award. Proceeds from event the will go to a local charitable cause.

You will have a 10-foot x 20-foot cooking area with one table. It is recommended that you bring E-Z Up type of cover for your area (we have 90 degree days and we have had rain).

Timeline

7 a.m. Set up

8 a.m. Cooks meeting and start cooking

11:30 a.m. Judging begins

Noon Tasters choice begins

1:30 p.m. Awards announced

Awards-TBD

Weaverville Dutch oven cookoff

Don Mason continues to feed me information about Northern California Dutch oven cookoffs:

Dear Dutch Oven Cooks:

On Saturday, October 10, 2009, the Trinity County Historical Society is hosting its 2nd annual TCHS Dutch Oven Cook-off. Proceeds from the cook-off go to a special project fund of the TCHS.

Cooking will take place in the Hal Goodyear History Park at the Jake Jackson Museum located on Main Street/Hwy 299 West in Weaverville, California. The cooking area opens at 7 a.m. A cooks meeting and sign-in will start promptly at 9 a.m. with People's Choice judging commencing at 1 p.m. This is a 1 to 3 pot cook-off: main dish, bread and dessert. There is a $10.00 entry fee per dish.

The public will be invited to purchase a tasting ticket and a ballot ($5.00 per person) to sample and vote for People's Choice Awards for each category (main dish, bread and dessert). Each category will have 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Prizes this year for each category are: $100 for 1st, $50 for 2nd and $20 gift certificates to the TCHS for 3rd.

The table judged as "best looking" will receive a 1st place prize. The theme of the tables will be gold mining (the cook-off takes place in a gold mining history park). Judging will be based on theme, visual impact, beauty/order and creativity.

Cook-off entrants will have a 12-foot x 12-foot cooking area with one table. You will be cooking in an open area so bring a type of E-Z up instant shelter. Trash cans for regular and recycled materials are provided.

Breakfast is easily had in the neighborhood of the park: The Nugget to the south and the Garden Café to the north, and often there is a community breakfast held at the Parish Hall of the Congregational Church (as of this letter this event has yet to be formalized).

Other activities are held the weekend of October 10th. The Salmon Festival will be celebrated in the Highland Art Center's park across the street from the museum. The museum will be holding a blacksmithing course on the same day.

My contact cell number is 530-410-8013 or email digginbar@charter.net. I look forward to seeing you in Weaverville. Come "show off" your culinary skills and enjoy beautiful Trinity County.

Sincerely,

George P. Chapman
TCHS Dutch Oven Cook-off Chair