Posted by Demoine Register, IA on July 09, 2008 at 11:24:55:
Angus Beef Cook-off pits young grillers nationwide in competition at fairgrounds
By TOM PERRY • REGISTER STAFF WRITER • July 9, 2008
Caitlin Kuehn of Durant is spending part of her summer vacation learning her way around an outdoor grill.
"I haven't really done it that much, maybe once or twice," she said of grilling. "Usually, our parents, or dads, do the grilling.''
Kuehn, 16, is one of five young Iowa women teaming to grill steaks in Tuesday's 25th All-American Certified Angus Beef Cook-off contest at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
The Iowa Junior Angus Association team is one of 42 in a competition that involves young contestants from more than 20 states, said Anne Patton Schubert of Taylorsville, Ky., the cook-off coordinator.
The event is part of the National Junior Angus Show, which will bring more than 2,500 Angus beef enthusiasts to Des Moines. The Certified Angus Beef program involves farmers who raise Angus beef cattle to certain specifications.
Young participants will showcase their all-around knowledge of beef, Schubert said, explaining that judges will ask team members various questions about the dishes they prepared as they are tasting them. All teams also presents skits, she said.
Young contestants do get help from their parents, Schubert said, but every year, the dishes prepared show the versatility of beef products.
"You really do see some very creative and good-tasting food," she said.
Kuehn's team is planning to make a dish it calls "Grinch Oscar Sauce." She said she knows the competition will be tough, but she figures her team has an advantage.
"We're all cousins," she said. "It's been a lot easier to practice."
Caitlin is joined on the team by her sister, Ashley Kuehn, 19; Bryanne Duckett, 16; Taylor Duckett, 10; and Lauren Schroeder, 20.
Their dish received its name from the skit they put together, which involves a Grinch type, she said.
"Our recipe was originally called 'Steak with Oscar Sauce,' and it kind of has a greenish color to it," she said.
"So, we changed the name to Grinch (because) it relates to our skit.''
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