Published: October 04, 2008 11:50 pm            

Steak Cook-Off event expanding this year

Anderson County Extension Report column

PALESTINE — Why do we raise cattle? Is it for the love of long hot days bailing hay? Or, for the pleasure of the cold, muddy winter days putting out feed? No… it’s for the steaks! It’s now time to enjoy the end results of the Beef Industry.

The Anderson County Extension Service will be co-sponsoring the “Fourth Annual Uncle Ray’s East Texas Steak Cook-Off” on Oct. 25. The cook–off is being held in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Fall Festival in downtown Palestine. The steak cook-off will be held at the United Country Realty grounds adjacent to the parade route.

Whether you are just the average guy who loves to cook on the grill or you consider yourself a professional chief, Uncle Ray’s East Texas Steak Cook-Off will let you show off your skills and eat Steak!

Cooks will meet at 10 a.m. and the competition will immediately follow with Rib-Eye Steaks provided by Uncle Ray’s Cajun Kitchen and Patterson Food Products. Judging will begin at 11:30 a.m. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m. First place will receive a trophy, $500, and bragging rites of the “Best Steak in East Texas.” Second place will receive a trophy and $250, and third place a trophy and $100. People’s Choice will be awarded a trophy as well.

After the “perfect steaks” are turned into the judges, then we all get to eat! Tickets are $20 and include a 12 oz ribeye steak and all the trimmings. Tickets are available at the Palestine Visitors Center 903-723-3014 or the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce 903-729-6066. Proceeds from the event will go to sponsor local 4-H and FFA organizations.

Along with the cook-off and steak dinners, information booths will set up for homeowners and landowners to receive the latest information on food safety, meal preparation and pasture & beef production.

Representatives from the Farm Services Agency, Texas Beef Industries Council, Texas Department of Agriculture and the Extension Service will all be on hand.

One block from the cook-off, in the Texas AgriLife Extension Building, the Anderson County 4-Her’s will be showing off their talents in the 4-H Project Show. Sewing, cooking, photography, wood working will all be on display. And before your visit is over, your little cowboys & cowgirls can compete in the Stick Horse Rodeo. Your little ones can barrel race and ride bucking bronco to their heart's content.

For cook-off registration & information call Heather Hrebec [Palestine Convention & Visitors Bureau] 903-723-3014 or Mark Price [County Extension Service] 903-723-3735.

Come out enjoy the down town Fall Festival, show off your cooking skills and enjoy a good steak!

• • •

Question of the week:

Q. Bees and wasp seem to be more aggressive in the fall. Is it just my imagination?

Y. In the fall the food sources for bees and wasps start to dry up. Bees will normally not become more aggressive, but you will see them in larger numbers around food sources, like trash cans. Wasp on the other hand, do become more aggressive. Wasps also will start to gather in large colonies, which means more individuals guarding and defend their nest. So, when you’re outside on these cooler weekends, watch out for hungry wasps!

———

Mark Price is the agricultural/natural resource extension agent for Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.