Bizarre Local Cook Off Gains International Attention
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: October 6, 2012
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.
"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.
