By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

If you envision yourself as a master chef of the outdoor barbecue, you’ll have a chance to show off your skills at this year’s Harney County Fair.

The Oregon Fryer Commission Big Cluck Grill-off Competition will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, and offers a grand prize of a Traeger wood pellet grill.
Each county fair’s winning entry will also automatically qualify for the Oregon State Fair Championship.

Carrie Winstead, assistant fair manager, said she hopes the event will attract local civic groups. “This is a chance for the Lions, Kiwanis, the Elks or some other group to win a new barbecue for their organization.”

Some of the competition guidelines are as follows:

• Each contestant or team will need to supply their own charcoal, gas or pellet grill and racks for grilling.

• Contestants must bring their own ingredients and dishes for preparation.

• Each contestant will be supplied with six thigh cuts of Oregon-grown chicken for grilling.

• Grilling teams must enter through the Oregon Fryer Commission’s Web site:
www.oregonchickens.com

• Grilling teams will be selected to participate in the Oregon Fryer Commission Big Cluck Grill-off based on a first-come, first-served basis.

The competition will consist of a minimum of four teams and a maximum of eight. Both individuals and teams may compete, but the teams may consist of no more than three members.

The grand champion will receive a Li’l Tex Traeger wood pellet grill valued at more than $700. Reserve champion will receive a 22 Mag manual wood pellet grill valued at more than $185. Third place receives a knife set, and fourth place will receive a grill accessory set. Each placer will receive a ribbon.

For a complete listing of rules and guidelines, visit the Oregon Fryer Commission’s Web site.