Submitted by Katie Martin – Smith County Extension Agent:
L to R: Abby Malone, Emma Baker, Bryson Cripps, Carson Meeks, Campbell Baker, Bailey Chapman, Spencer Meeks, and Grace Harville
Smith County 4-H Members had an opportunity to test their grilling skills in the Central Region Outdoor Meat Cookery Contest. This event involves youth learning about safety when starting fires, developing their own recipes for flavoring the meat, and utilizing safety measures while cooking.
The participants can only cook with charcoal grills and are responsible for selecting their own cuts of meat. There are four different divisions, which include poultry, beef, lamb, and pork that contestants can choose to compete in. The event is timed, with participants having two hours to grill their meat and present it to the judges. Contestants are judged on how safely and efficiently they start their fires, how creative their recipe is, and on appearance and taste of their final product.
This year’s event was held at the Wilson County Fairgrounds on Friday, August 24, 2018. Over 170 Jr. High and Senior High 4-H members from across Middle Tennessee competed.
Smith County 4-H was represented on the Jr. High team by Emma Baker, Abby Malone, Carson Meeks, and Bryson Cripps. Emma placed 4th overall in the Beef division.
Our Senior High team was made up of Grace Harville, Spencer Meeks, Campbell Baker, and Bailey Chapman. Grace was 8th in pork, Spencer was 8th in beef, and Campbell was 9th in Lamb. The Senior High team earned fifth place out of their entire division.
We are so proud of our competitors for the hard work and effort they put into this contest, not to mention the talent and skill they showed in grilling.
The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
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