Lighthouse Crock-Pot cook-off held Saturday despite bad weather

About 20 tasters, each of whom made a $5 donation to The Lighthouse Shelter, circled around a room at the Martin Community Center to stop at stations marked by Crock-Pots, recipes and, in most cases, a smiling face or two.

Competitors in the cook-off, of which there were nearly a dozen, donated $20 each to The Lighthouse Shelter to have their dish tasted by attendees and for a chance to win $50 apiece, if their dish received more votes than others in the same category.

Present to award contestants their winnings was Liz Huff of Arrow Rock's J. Huston Tavern.

The most hotly contested categories were chili and soup/stew. Gene Wallace was declared winner for his Beer Chili. A team including two youngsters, Logan Evans and Grant Mack, along with their aunt, Kathy Austin, won in the soup category for their Chicken and Black Bean Soup.

Evans, Mack and Austin were also awarded for their soup receiving the most votes as tasters' overall favorite, winning a pair of tickets to The Fine Art of Dining, a private pre-opening of J. Huston Tavern Saturday, April 4, which Huff said were valued at $120. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Marshall High School Glass Program.

Winners in other categories were Sheri Witcher for her Crock-Pot egg casserole entered into the full meal deal category, the team from University of Missouri for their chocolate mud cake in the dessert category, Tonya Jaecques for the creamy slow-cooker chicken she entered into the meat category, Andrew Utlaut with the macaroni and cheese he entered in the side dish category and Brittany Wallace for her cheesy salsa dip entered into the appetizer category. All proceeds went to The Lighthouse Shelter.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net