Steak/wings competition

CRESCO - The third annual Steak Cookoff during Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest is quadruple the fun this year!

Last year, there were 17 cooks from six different states who attended the event. This year, there will be 40 cooks from all around the country to grill in three different competitions, as well as a wing competition. Beadle Park will be busy, and the aromas coming from there will make your tummy rumble!

Organizer Spiff Slifka explained many of the competitions for World Invitational Steak Championship were cancelled due to COVID-19. “I was asked if we would have two competitions, giving them another chance to get qualified for the World Invitational. We agreed. Then they said they wanted to stay overnight and do it again on Sunday, so now there are three competitions!”

All three competitions are the same — $150 (which includes the meat) to enter the contest and grilling one-and-a-quarter-inch thick ribeye from Polashek’s Locker. “I still have people from last year talking about the steaks. They said they were the best steaks they ever cooked,” Slifka noted.

She is excited to report the current point leader in the world is a woman from Rockford, Ill., and she will be attending the competition.

The steaks are brought to the judges, who cut off a small piece to taste. In the past, the steaks were cut up for the public to taste. 

Ribeye Meal for $10!

This year, those steaks will be available for the public as well, but in a meal, with potatoes, a salad, roll and beverage.

What isn’t used for judges to taste-test is being given to the Legion Riders, who will serve it at the VFW Hall. Proceeds will go to Operation Christmas. Tickets can be purchased for $10. With 40 competitors for each contest, there are only 40 meals available for each judging time.

The ribeyes are cooked to medium rare and are tender enough to be cut with plastic forks.

Dining times will be at 2:30 and 4:30 on Saturday and noon on Sunday.

Rick Slifka is in charge of the meal. The Legion Riders are happy to host the meal as they haven’t been able to have their regular fund-raising breakfasts throughout COVID.

Tickets can be purchased at Cresco Area Chamber of Commerce/Welcome Center, or give Rick a call at 641-330-9546.

Wing Competition

At just $10 to enter, the wing competition is new this year. More locals are expected to be participating in this event. 

Cooks are asked to bring their own wings to be judged. For more information on this, call Spiff at 563-547-3434.