On Saturday July 31st, 21 4-H members from throughout Northwest Florida participated in the Northwest District 4-H Tailgating Contest sponsored by Winn-Dixie, National Beef, and Sonny’s. Grilling participants took part in one of four categories: beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp. Participants created table displays to show off their recipes and were judged on their grilling abilities and their grilling knowledge was put to the test on questions from judges on food safety, fire safety, and meat selection.
Regional winners earned $400 in scholarship money for first place, $250 for second place, $100 for third place, and $50 for fourth place. The top two individuals in each protein category earned the opportunity to participate in the State 4-H Tailgate Contest in Gainesville in September. Fourteen Escambia County 4-H grilling team members participated in the regional contest after earning the opportunity to participate at the Escambia County 4-H Tailgate Day Camp in early July.
At the regional contest held at the Washington County Ag Center in Chipley, Escambia County 4-H members succeeded: Madelyn Goss, Tucker Padgett, and A.T. Bridgers placed first, second, and fourth (respectively) in the beef category, Taylor Anderson, Kailee Dunlap, Gracie Meredith, and Chloe B. placed first, second, third, and fourth (respectively) in the pork category, Ava Chauvette placed fourth in the chicken category, and Aubrie Dillon, Owen Till, and Brooke Hoomes placed first, second, and fourth (respectively) in the shrimp category. Altogether, Escambia County 4-H members earned $2,250 in prize money. All Escambia County participants have learned a lot from this competition and will take home new grilling skills to share with their families. We are very excited to have six participants representing Escambia County at the upcoming state competition, where they will be competing for college scholarships against youth from across Florida.
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
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