Dear Dutch Oven Cooking Enthusiasts,

The Buffalo River Elk Festival, Inc. cordially invites you to participate in our annual Dutch Oven Cook-off on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at the Harp Realty office on Highway 7 South in Jasper as part of the 26th Annual Buffalo River Elk Festival.

This festival celebrates the successful reintroduction of elk into Newton County, Arkansas and the Buffalo National River area. Attractions include drawings for elk hunting permits, arts and crafts, the Arkansas State Elk Calling Championship, kids’ fishing derby, live music and dancing, and of course, the famous Dutch Oven Cook-off.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three overall winners:

• 1st Place – $300
• 2nd Place – $200
• 3rd Place – $100

Category winners for Bread, Main Dish, Dessert and Showmanship will receive medallions for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The crowd-favorite People’s Choice Award winner will also receive a special prize.

So break out your Dutch ovens, perfect those delicious recipes, and come join us for a weekend of friendly competition, camaraderie and culinary creativity in the scenic Arkansas Ozarks!

Attached you will find the cook-off rules, team entry form and required disclaimer. Entry forms are due back by Friday, June 21, 2025. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Jasper!

Happy Cooking,
Sandy Swayne, Coordinator
POB 268
Jasper, AR 72641
870-434-5316
sandyredrock@gmail.com

2025 BUFFALO RIVER ELK FESTIVAL DUTCH OVEN COOK-OFF RULES

Saturday, June 28 • Jasper, Arkansas

ENTRY FEE: $10 per team. Limit 3 persons per team.
DEADLINE: Entry forms must be received by Friday, June 21, 2025.

SETUP & START TIME:

• You may dig your fire pit and/or light your fire BEFORE the 9:00 AM start time on Saturday. Please carefully remove and replace sod. Dry beans may be pre-soaked.
• Cooking begins at 9:00 AM sharp. No food prep is allowed before this time.
• Judging begins at 1:00 PM.

COOKING RULES:

• All food must be cooked on site over an open fire with wood or charcoal. Gas stoves, smokers, grills, etc. are not permitted.
• Teams must supply their own wood/charcoal. Portable elevated firepans are encouraged.
• Teams are strongly encouraged to dress in pioneer or old west attire.

JUDGING:

Entries will be evaluated in 4 areas by a panel of judges:

1. Bread – Yeast or sourdough (sweet breads like cinnamon rolls allowed)
2. Main Dish
3. Dessert
4. Showmanship – Judged on team appearance, interaction with public, skill with utensils and fire, safe food handling. Sponsor logos allowed.

• Judging is blind for food entries. However, Showmanship takes camp appearance and dress into account. Displaying your team name is encouraged.
• Entries MUST be presented to judges in the Dutch oven used to prepare them (or on the lid) along with required number of copies of the recipe. Serving utensils must be provided.
• Food entries must be ready for judging promptly at 1:00 PM at the Cook-off Headquarters.
• At least one team member should be present at the main stage for awards and photos immediately after judging concludes.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE:

After judging, samples will be served to the public, who will vote for their favorite for the People’s Choice Award. Teams should be prepared to interact with tasters at their cook site.

CLEANUP:

Teams are responsible for leaving their assigned cooking area clean, with fire pits filled in, sod replace, and all trash disposed of properly.

2025 BUFFALO RIVER ELK FESTIVAL

DUTCH OVEN COOK-OFF TEAM ENTRY FORM & PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

Entry Deadline: Friday, June 21, 2025

Official Team Name: ________________________________________

Head Cook Name: __________________________________________

Team Member 2: ___________________________________________

Team Member 3: ___________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:_______ ZIP:__________

Phone: ___________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________

$10 Team Entry Fee: ▢ Paid by enclosed check ▢ Paid cash

By signing below, I affirm that I have completely read and understand all rules of the Buffalo River Elk Festival Dutch Oven Cook-off. In consideration for accepting this entry, I, my team members, and executors hereby waive any and all rights and claims against Buffalo River Elk Festival, Inc. and all sponsors and promoters of this event.

Further, I agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the cook-off, including but not limited to:

• Using only legal, food-safe ingredients and additives
• Practicing all applicable safe food handling and hygiene measures
• Properly extinguishing all fires and safely disposing of hot coals
• Respecting fellow contestants and graciously accepting judges’ decisions as final
• Granting permission for photos of my team to be used in future event promotion

I understand that my team is responsible for any damages to or littering of our assigned cooking area. I verify that I am authorized to sign as a representative of the team listed above.

Signature:_______________________________________________

Date:___________________________________________________

Please mail completed entry form with $10 fee by June 21, 2025 to:
Buffalo River Elk Festival Dutch Oven Cook-off
c/o Sandy Swayne
P.O. Box 268
Jasper, AR 72641