The Baldwin County Cattlewomen’s Association in conjunction with the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, held a beef cook-off on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Baldwin County Farmer’s Federation building in Robertsdale.

Five middle school students and four high school students cooked their favorite beef dish which was judged by four judges, Ron Stone, general manager, Wolf Bay Lodge; Les Sawyer, manager, Mama Lou’s; Charles Eubanks, facility director, South Baldwin Regional Center; and Mary Ann Lindsay, legal administrator, Sandia National Laboratories (retired).

The winners were:

Junior (Middle School):

Jordan Jensen, first place, Elberta Middle School, Wilson’s beef stew, $50; Jasmine White, second place, Bay Minette Middle School, Beef Wellington, $30; Savannah Bullock, third place, Central Baldwin Middle School, stuffed hamburgers, $20; Rebecca Fortin, fourth place, Foley Middle School, Beef Stroganoff, $10; Skyelar Sanders, fifth place, Gulf Shores Middle School, bacon cheeseburger balls, $10.

Senior (High School):

Destiny Wiggins, first place, Foley High School, Julie’s meatloaf, $50; Ashley Hackett, second place, Gulf Shores High School, Granddaddy’s meatloaf, $30; William Foley, third place, Robertsdale High School, pantry stew, $20; Morgan Yates, fourth place, Spanish Fort High School, barbecue muffins, $10.

The first place winners will compete in a state-wide competition Jan. 21 in Montgomery.

In addition to the cook-off, there was a joint meeting of FCCLA and FFA students. Students were greeted by Cynthia Knowlton, Baldwin County Extension REA who works with 4-H programs as they entered the auction arena.

These students participated in a beef production tour of the local Robertsdale Livestock Auction where Jimmy Racine Farms Inc. provided the beef cattle for the students to observe.

Anthony Wiggins, REA of the Escambia County Cooperative Extension System described the cattle industry and the purpose for raising healthy beef cattle for today’s consumer. He identified the muscle groups that are used for cuts of beef for the daily consumer’s choice for recipe selection and preparation.

The group of 60 participants then moved across to Farm Fresh Meats where Holly Crawford and Ricky Comstock discussed the meat processing industry, safety and sanitation and the curing process. The cook-off and field trip were coordinated by Dawn Hopper, Family and Consumer Science Teacher and FCCLA advisor at Central Baldwin Middle School.

The group then returned to the Baldwin County Farmer’s Federation building to learn the results from the judging of the beef dishes. A hamburger dinner was provided for students, parents and guests by the Central Baldwin Middle School FCCLA. Hopper’s students prepared the hamburgers along with the side dishes.

The Baldwin County Cattlewomen and Baldwin County Cattlemen provided the door prizes. Judges were presented with gifts in appreciation for their service.