Chefs Showcase Traditional Cherokee Food at Holiday Cook-Off

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Food junkies are excited as the 60th Cherokee National Holiday Traditional Indian Food Cook-Off nears. And it's not too late to enter.

Do you have a hankering for Traditional Cherokee Food?

The tasty competition takes place from 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm on Saturday, September 1, just west of the tribe's main complex, 17675 South Muskogee Ave in Tahlequah.

Ten teams will delight judges and visitors with a traditional menu of hog meat, pinto beans, fry bread, vegetable dish and dessert dumplings, which may include grape, blackberry or other fruit flavor.

Each team has four and a half hours to prepare enough food for 40 people, including the judges' committee. The top three teams that create the best traditional Indian food will take home $500, $300 and $200 cash prizes.

The deadline to apply is 5 pm Wednesday, Aug. 15. Teams must include four members from a federally recognized Indian tribe and assign a team leader. Team members must also have a current food handler's permit and be 18 or older.

Once the judges make their selections, the public can buy a plate of food for $6 while it lasts.

Those who miss the cook-off but still have a hankering for traditional Cherokee food can also stop by Sequoyah Schools' cafeteria from noon to 2:00 pm on Sunday, September 2 for a free feed. Each Cherokee Holiday the feed features fried hog meat, beans, potatoes, hominy, grape dumplings, salad, watermelon, dessert, fry bread, corn bread and refreshments. To register for the cook-off call Pam Bakke at 918.453.5347.

posted August 6, 2012 7:50 am edt