Dutch Oven Cook-off: Good News/Bad News & Rules

[Deuce]

It's official, peeps. Rendezvous is on the calendar and the cook-off is scheduled for Saturday afternoon/evening. Prizes are being procured, judges have been assembled, and the initial call for contestants and trash talk garnered 297 views. I'm excited to see how it turns out this year. "But Deuce," you may wonder, "that sounds like good news. Whither this talk of bad?" Well, I will tell you.

While the call garnered 297 views it only generated three responses, and two of them were mine. Come on guys. I've been advised by one participant that his Dutch Ovens do his talking for him, and that's fair enough, but a big part of the cook-off is the smack talk beforehand. Heck, for all you know that might even be part of the scoring. The big event is less than a month away and my able consultant and I don't want to be embarrassed in front of our esteemed judges by having a weak turnout. Let's get our act together and start talking about who's in and who's gonna win.

[sig]

I would be in but gave my DO to my brother last year.

That said, I make a pretty serious Bourbon Barbecue Baked Beans in an enameled cast iron Lodge DO on the home stove.

[Deuce]

I would be in but gave my DO to my brother last year.

That said, I make a pretty serious Bourbon Barbecue Baked Beans in an enameled cast iron Lodge DO on the home stove.

Great! Bring everything but the oven. I'll provide that (along with a trivet and lid lifter if you need them).

[sig]

Sounds like a plan... I'll borrow a DO from you and then supply the winning dish. An excellent first Rendezvous :)

[Tim Eubanks]

I'm all in. Planning on moving up from 3rd place last year. Maybe looking at a double dutch oven entry, if that's allowed.
Do we have a gluten-free, vegan, non-fat, organic category? I plan on being in the lots of meat and beans and cheese and stuff like that category.

Are we allowed to butcher live animals on site prior to cooking them?

[Deuce]

Are we allowed to butcher live animals on site prior to cooking them?

Yes, and extra points if you get a vegan to help.

[jaxjack]

dont forget the do contest scheduled oct 13 in jacksonville at the civil war battlefield on hwy 161. $500 in prize money!
jack danielson

[Deuce]

dont forget the do contest scheduled oct 13 in jacksonville at the civil war battlefield on hwy 161. $500 in prize money!
jack danielson

That's right! Consider the 'Vous event your warm up.

[fryingsquirrel]

Unfortunately I'll be sitting this one out guys. Haven't done much DO cooking lately, looks like I've fallen off the wagon. I do have one question, though.
If the burn ban doesn't lift, will it impact the cook off? For that matter, will campfires be banned without exception?
Jon Ellwood

[Deuce]

My understanding is campfires are prohibited at Rendezvous, but charcoal fires in pans for the cook-off will not be a problem. As for having neglected your DO skills; Bull Butter! Please participate in the contest. Even though you think you're out of practice it's like riding a bike; a luscious slow-cooked bike. Dig out that black pot and get after it.

[Deuce]

Bump. Part of the prize package is on the UPS truck for delivery to the official cook-off headquarters. Can't tell you what it is, but it's from this little upstart company. You may have heard of them. Lodge, I think...............

[Tim Eubanks]

Deuce
Are there any "official rules" or guidlines or are all dishes judged together? I'm looking for a roadkill division?

[Deuce]

Categories and rules are TBA soon, but they'll be similar to those of previous cook-offs. Roadkill category, huh? Don't tease. You don't know what ol' Deuce is capable of.

[Tim Eubanks]

Roadkill jambalaya, species yet to be named. Lots of tabasco.

[Deuce]

There will most likely be a points system in the road kill category. For example, armadillos are plentiful, so they might only be worth one point each. Possums are plentiful as well, but as they have more meat they'd likely be worth a couple of points. Now, if one were to procure a muskrat...........