There were familiar dishes all around the event, but this time, with a twist. The main ingredient, at least for Saturday, was squirrel.
"It's what nature intended for people to eat," Bud Bohall, a contestant in the competition Saturday said.
It's the first ever World Champion Squirrel Cook Off and it happened right here in Northwest Arkansas.
"We have a panel of 5 judges and each team is judged on their side dish and on their entree. And the predominant meat for your dish has to be squirrel," Founder, Joe Wilson said.
Today 20 contestants set up in Bentonville and made their best and most original squirrel dishes.
"You actually have to chop and prepare all of your food right here on site so when squirrels come in they're whole squirrels."
"They made bacon wrapped squirrel wings and jalapeno squirrel poppers," Lissa Brown said. Her husband and friend teamed up this year to compete.
What does squirrel really taste like? The answer is not chicken.
"It has its own unique taste. Its got a littler tougher texture than you're used to probably, normally and a little "gamier" taste but it's really good," Bohall said.
Founder, Joe Wilson has been having squirrel cook offs with his close friends for years, until this year, when the Travel Channel called.
"Well believe it or not the local visitors council has me down as the go to red neck for weird stuff," Wilson said.
So Andrew Zimmern with Bizarre Foods gave the event a taste.
"That's been very neat to follow and watch him, and watch him try everything too," Brown said.
"We don't get a lot of exposure like that around here and it was pretty exciting to have him," Bohall said.
And when all is said and done. There's now a squirrel cooking world champion.
Until next year, brothers Brandon and Blayne Estes will reign with their Squirrel Sliders to thank.
Wilson said he hopes to have 100 contestants at next years event. Since the Travel Channel airs in 70 countries, he expects the exposure to get people interested.
Bizarre Foods actually had multiple events throughout the week for an Ozark Edition Bizarre Foods episode. They were not able to give us an exact time when to expect the episode, but it should be within the next few months.
WORLD CHAMPION SQUIRREL COOK OFF
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World Champion Squirrel Cook Off
This is the one and only true World Championship Squirrel Cook Off.
We are an invitational event but will accept
any true squirrel enthusiast and
culinary masters of the beloved squirrel.
If you have a aunt, grandma, friend or just some one you know who can whoop up a batch of squirrel, they need to prove it here and be recognized as the "BEST OF THE BEST"
Use this site to help you determine if you have the want the need the passion to join us for the biggest squirrel cook off around.
The next championship will be held in Bentonville Arkansas September 7th...every one is welcome.
 The Squirrel
Squirrel has long been a meat source for hunters and their families. This meat has helped many families survive the hard times and has also become a favorite dish among them. Many recipes and techniques have been passed down from the generations before that relied on these creatures for their livelihood.
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 Preparation Skinning, quartering, aging, and marinading are some but not all of the important aspects of the perfect squirrel dish. Each competitor will bring their unique methods to showcase in front of the crowd and judges in hopes of claiming the renowned title of "Master Chef."
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 Cooking A variety of techniques can achieve impressive results with such a modest creature. An animal thought by most to be a pest or backyard pet can be transformed into world-class dishes that would hold their own in fine restaurants. Slow cooking, smoking, grilling, and deep frying are all favorite methods to prepare the meat. |
 Presentation Like most cooking competitions, the final presentation of the finished dish is also an important factor. A naked squirrel lying on the plate won't cut it in this cook-off. |
Our pledgeWe will donate as much money as we can to the NWA children’s shelter from donations, raffles and auctions during our event. With the help of corporate sponsorship and community giving we will bring smiles to the children who need the help the most.
Our EventWe love to cook and we love to brag, that’s what makes the
WCSCO the greatest cooking event in the country. Our Competition is special
because our main ingredient you can’t buy at the store. No you have to work for
it and plan for it. The rules state that all teams must prepare their entrée’s
onsite, no off site prep is allowed. This guarantee’s a competition of intense
labor and time use, the teams have only 2 ½ hrs. to create their dish. This
dish will be judged by a panel of true squirrel eaters, folks who know what
good food should taste like. Our event is held in the town of Bentonville Arkansas, with tons of attractions and family fun. With 100 teams planned for this years event and people coming from coast to coast, this is sure to be one of the most memorable events of the year.
Please contact us by calling 1-800-410-2535 for help with travel and your stay while in Bentonville.
Or go to our contact page to enter to be a Judge, contestant, and or sponsor. This page will also alow you to purchase merchandise by contacting us at squirrelcookoff@squirrelcookoff.com
Click on the 2013 rules for this years event.Squirrel_cook_off_rules_and_guidleines.final.040113.pdf
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NEWS COVERAGE AND ARTICLE
Bizarre Foods Ozark edition will air the spring of next year, check out all of the fun we had gigging, crow hunting, rabbit hunting, bear hunting, and most of all whooping up some mean squirrel.We cannot operate without sponsorship, our event is looking for corporate sponsors who would like to showcase their companies as a proud sponsor of a family friendly event, that has received national and international attention from TV, News, and intranet. Our event has the potential of having thousands of spectators, and nearly 100 teams of contestants. The event is a showcase of cooking, and the responsible use of wild game. Please contact us on the contact page for more information.
These or some of our current supporters and sponsors.
Help us make SQU one of the largest hunting organizations in the country. We would love to have you share your exsperiance and enjoyment of squirrel hunting with us. The benefits will grow with the growth of the members, so tell everyone about it and join today. Make sure you mention you found out about it from the Squirrel Cook Off site.We love these guys...
support@squirrelsunlimited.com
Come and enjoy the comradery with other SqU members,
Thank you for visiting Squirrels Unlimited. Right now is the time to become an Original Member and get benefits that will not be available to future members! We recently launched our paid membership section with all new content that only paid members will be able to receive! We are also continuing to seek out new affiliates along with new services for our SqU members to enjoy. If interested, you may contact us at SquirrelsUnlimited. Be sure to check back often as new features are added each week.
Purchase a two year membership and receive the second membership at half off. That's a 2 year membership for only $45!!!
It's only $30 to join Squirrels Unlimited and memberships last for one year! We are always adding exclusive new features and content to our member's area - making your SqU membership even more valuable as time goes on. To purchase a year's membership, you will first need to register for a free SqU account. If you are not yet a registered member, learn how to register now..
Go to squirrelsunlimited.com for more info...this is the deal for you, plus you will recieve additional benefits at this years WCSCO if you are a paid member.
