Beef Cook-Off returning to South Dakota state fair

PIERRE, S.D. – Summon your creative juices and consider entering a recipe for the 2010 State Fair Beef Cook-Off, which is returning to the State Fair for a second year.

All home cooks, ages 10 and up, are eligible for the cook-off. There are two age divisions – Youth (10 through 18 years) and Adult (19 and older). There are also two recipe categories this year – New Twist on Old Favorites and Fork Free-Hand Held.

Recipes should be simple and reflect the ways that busy consumers cook today.

The grand prizes are $500 for the adult division and $250 for the youth division. There will also be eight Honorable Mention awards.

Judging will be based on taste, appearance, originality, nutrition and category appropriateness.

Entries must be postmarked by Aug. 2. Finalists will compete in the Cook-Off on Friday, Sept. 3.

The State Fair Beef Cook-Off is hosted by South Dakota CattleWomen and funded by South Dakota beef producers through beef checkoff dollars.

For contest entry information, visit http://www.sdcattlewomen.org or http://www.sdstatefair.com .

The 2010 South Dakota State Fair will run Thursday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 6. Preview night will be Wednesday, Sept. 1.

This is the 125th anniversary for the State Fair. For more information on State Fair events, contact the Fair office at 800-529-0900 or visit http://www.sdstatefair.com.