Bentonville brings food competition, sampling of squirrel and bacon

facebook.com/thebaconbowl The 2nd annual Bacon Bowl presented by Petit Jean Meats will take place in downtown Bentonville 9 a.m.-noon, September 13.
facebook.com/thebaconbowl The 2nd annual Bacon Bowl presented by Petit Jean Meats will take place in downtown Bentonville 9 a.m.-noon, September 13.

Squirrel Cook-off scheduled for Bentonville

The 3rd annual World Championship Squirrel Cook-off will take place around the downtown Bentonville Square 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 13.

Teams made up of chefs and amateur cooks from across the country are traveling to Bentonville the second Saturday in September to compete in the world famous Squirrel Cook-off. This is the only known squirrel cooking competition and one that brings back fond childhood memories for a lot of hunters whose first experience was hunting squirrel with their fathers or grandfathers.

Local and internationally recognized food writers and bloggers, award-winning chefs, reality television stars and Arkansas dignitaries will taste each squirrel-infused dish. They will determine who has the best recipe and will name the 2014 World Championship Squirrel Cook-off winner. The public will get to sample some of the squirrel dishes at this free event.

"The national exposure the competition has received in such a short amount of time has been astounding. We are living in a truly exciting time for the culinary experience regarding wild game. Restaurants and chefs worldwide are experimenting and serving wild game dishes, and we couldn't be more excited to be holding the thriving culinary scene in Bentonville," said event coordinator Joe Wilson.

"In addition to the squirrel competition, the nationally recognized Bentonville Farmers Market and 2nd annual Bacon Bowl presented by Petit Jean Meats will be going on in downtown Bentonville, too."

Teams or individuals interested in competing should visit squirrelcookoff.com. There is a limited amount of competitor space available.

Bacon Bowl presented by Petit Jean Meats

The 2nd annual Bacon Bowl presented by Petit Jean Meats will take place in downtown Bentonville 9 a.m.-noon, Sept. 13.

Teams consisting of chefs and amateur cooks will compete in entree and dessert divisions and test their culinary skills by creating innovative bacon creations featuring Arkansas's own Petit Jean Meats bacon. Teams can choose to enter one or both divisions, with Petit Jean Meats donating bacon to all who compete.

Bacon Bowl attendees will vote for their favorite dishes in both divisions as well as the overall People's Champion. Local and nationally known bacon enthusiasts, food writers and bloggers will determine who will represent the Bacon Bowl at the 2014 World Food Championships in Las Vegas, where they'll have the opportunity to win up to $60,000.

"Teams are traveling from throughout Arkansas and the region to compete in the Bacon Bowl with the goal of winning the grand prize trip to compete in the 2014 World Food Championships in Las Vegas," said event coordinator John McClure. "We're all working together to create a Saturday morning that people won't soon forget."

Teams or individuals interested in competing should visit baconbowl.net. Team registration is open until Sept. 5, and space is limited.

There will be live music, Petit Jean Meats and other foods and beverages to sample.

Tickets are $10 at the gate and advance tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau. More information is available at facebook.com/thebaconbowl.

NAN Dining Guide Spotlight on 08/22/2014

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