OTTAWA — When people in Putnam County are looking for a little competition, they take their rivalries to the kitchen.
Several people participated in the Best in Beef competition Wednesday held at the Putnam County Fair. A different theme is given each year for participants to concentrate on. Other than that, it is up to their own creativity with only one catch. They have to provide the recipe.
Fair Board Director Holly Warnecke said it was the fourth year for the competition.
Judges Karen Wagonrod and Rita Adam judged the dishes on taste, texture and appearance. The winner was Marge Knueven, of Ottoville, with Sue Clementz, of Kalida, and Marissa Maag, of Glandorf, taking second and third. Each was given a medal, along with cash prizes of $50, $20 and $10.
“Its a free competition and people seem to have a lot of fun with it,” Warnecke said.
For those maybe wanting to compete in a different category, a different cook-off is held each night. On Tuesday, the Power of Flour competition focused on sugar cookies. For the rest of the fair, Dairy Delights will feature macaroni and cheese Thursday, Perfectly Prepared Pork will feature biscuits and sausage gravy Friday, and Tasty Turkey Saturday will feature turkey casserole. For the beef competition participants had to prepare a beef brisket or dinner.
Rita Adam said it was tough to judge.
“It almost seems unfair,” Adam said. “Something I might like might be different to someone else. Everything was very good.”
Clementz placed second with her dish of sweet and savory brisket.
“I had never made brisket before, but I thought it tasted pretty darn good,” Clementz said. “I was told the key was the moisture, so I paid attention to that.
Clementz regularly participates in the cooking events. She won last year with bacon-wrapped shrimp.
“It is just for fun,” she said. “It is something different to do.”
Competitors can already begin preparing for next year, as the announced dish is beef meatloaf.
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