Big Prizes Offered in the 4-H Cornbread Cook-Off at National Cornbread Festival

Cornbread has been called a “cornerstone” of southern United States cuisine. This comfort food made with Martha White Corn Meal and cooked in Lodge Cast Iron is sure to satisfy one’s hunger.

4th grade 4-H Club members are invited to enter an original cornbread recipe for the 2015 4-H Cornbread Cook-Off that will be held at the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, Tenn. on April 25, 2015. Recipes must include at least one cup of Martha White Corn Meal or one package of Martha White Corn Meal Mix and be cooked in Lodge Cast Iron.

Recipes will be reviewed and 10 lucky finalists will be invited to prepare their cornbread dish under the big tent at the festival. A distinguished panel will judge the finished dishes on creativity, texture, appearance, ease of preparation, appropriate use of products and of course – flavor.

“4-H is a family affair and spending time in the kitchen baking and cooking is a wonderful family activity youth learn skills they can use for a lifetime and will treasure the memories,” said Vicki Lofty, Marion County UT Extension Agent. “Every year I am amazed at the unique and creative cornbread recipes that are submitted.”

The first place winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize. The 4-H teacher and 4-H agent of the winning student will also each receive $50.00. The second place winner will take home $250.00 and the third place contestant will receive $100.00. The remaining seven finalists will each receive $50.00, and all ten finalists will receive a gift basket of products from Lodge and Martha White. Also, youth traveling more than 100 miles to the competition will receive $100.00 travel money.

2014 4-H Youth Cornbread Cook-Off Winners
First Place: Lauren Woods – Maggie Bread
Second Place: Summer Johnson – Cornbread Fajita Muffins
Third Place: Tanner Colvin – Coconut Shrimp Cornbread

Entries for the National Cornbread Festival 4-H Cornbread Cook-Off should be mailed to:

Vicki S. Lofty
2015 4-H Cornbread Cook-Off
302 Betsy Pack Drive
Jasper, TN  37347

The entry deadline is March 1, 2015. For more information about the 4-H Cornbread Cook-Off contest contact Glenn K. Turner at 865-453-3695. 4-H Cornbread Cook-Off guidelines and an entry form are available at 4h.tennessee.edu/ideas15/attach/CornbreadRules15.doc. For more information about the National Cornbread Festival visit www.nationalcornbread.com.

You may be a novice cook now, but get in the kitchen and learn to cook. You could be the next cast iron chef! Enter an original recipe today.

Photo Credit: National Cornbread Festival / Will Kirk