Troy Anderson of Fort Dodge, Iowa, stood out among 45 other contestants representing 17 counties to claim the coveted championship crown, trophy and the title of 2019 Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Champion.

Anderson’s winning chuck roast placed first in the beef category of the contest and was voted as the winning dish. It was favored by the judges over an array of entries from some of the state’s best backyard chefs during the annual contest held along the Grand Concourse last week at the Iowa State Fair.

Competitors in the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest first had to qualify by smoking, grilling or barbecuing their way to victory in a county Farm Bureau contest in one of eight categories: Beef, Combo/Specialty, Lamb, Pork, Poultry, Turkey, Team or Youth. Anderson qualified by winning the beef division during the Hamilton County Farm Bureau Cookout Contest held earlier this summer.

The Iowa Farm Bureau-sponsored contest always features a range of entries and cooking styles. Anderson’s winning slow-smoked chuck roast beat out traditional entries like prime rib, pork loin, and smoked and grilled chicken and turkey dishes, and some more exotic entries like Hawaiian lamb burgers, breakfast bratwursts and bacon-wrapped jalapeno popper meatloaf.

Showcasing Iowa livestock products

“The annual Farm Bureau Cookout Contest on the Grand Concourse is a great way to showcase the diversity of Iowa livestock production and celebrate some of Iowa’s best backyard cooks,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill. “The Farm Bureau Day Cookout Contest is a unique opportunity for consumers to witness the preparation of amazing dishes and sample great Iowa-raised meats — beef, pork, poultry, turkey and lamb, while celebrating the diversity and importance of Iowa agriculture.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was on hand signing a proclamation declaring Aug. 13, 2019, Iowa Farm Bureau Day at the fair and congratulating contest winners. The Tuesday of the state fair has long been considered “Iowa Farm Bureau Day” and Reynolds’ official proclamation noted IFBF’s commitment to Iowa farm families and their communities across the state through support in a number of important areas, including something Reynolds noted was critically important to her: youth and education. 

Winners in various cookout categories

Anderson’s championship winning chuck roast topped the other beef entries in route to being selected as the contest’s overall winner. He received $200, the champion’s crown, and a trophy as the 2019 Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest Champion.

Other first-place winners, counties represented, and categories were:

All category winners won $150. 

Second-place finishers, counties represented and categories were:

All second-place category winners won $100.

Winners in youth, special contests

Winners in special categories were:

Lewis received a gas grill valued at $1,000 and $150. The youth prize was donated by the Iowa Propane Gas Association. Mathews received $150, and team winners received $200.

Prize sponsors for the cookout contest include: Iowa Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Growmark, Inc., Iowa Propane Gas Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Turkey Federation, Iowa Poultry Association, and the Iowa Sheep and Wool Promotion Board. Visit iowafarmbureau.com for the championship-winning dish “Troy’s Chuck Roast” and other recipes from the 2019 Cookout Contest.

Source: Iowa Farm Bureau, which is responsible for information provided and is wholly owned by source. Informa Business Media and subsidiaries aren’t responsible for content in this information asset.