ELLERBE — Richmond County residents are encouraged to come get a taste of nature at the annual Wild Foods Cook-off.
The event, now in its 21st year, features a variety of dishes made from wild meats and vegetables.
Paige Burns Clark, director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Richmond County office, said there is an open invitation to enter the contest and no dishes will be accepted after 6:30 p.m.
The most commonly entered category, she said, is the meat division, which includes wild turkey, deer, wild boar, frogs and fish — any animal hunted. The animals don’t even have to be native to the region (elk, moose, bear) or killed by the cook, as long as the meat was given to the preparer.
The vegetable category includes salads and casseroles made from wild plants and the desserts can be made from nuts and berries. Those ingredients must be found in the wild and foraged.
Burns Clark said the event typically draws 80-100 people.
Judging will be done by all those assembled, Burns Clark said. There will be a winner for each category and an overall winner.
Those bringing dishes get two free tickets. For tasters, tickets are $5 and children under 6 get in free.
The event starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 at the Sandhills Rod and Gun Club clubhouse, 149 O.G. Reynolds Road, Ellerbe.
The Wild Foods Cook-Off is sponsored by the Sandhills Rod and Gun Club, the Martha Faye Crafters and the N.C. Cooperative Extention Richmond County Center.
