Dutch oven enthusiasts tempt visitors during evening cook-off
By Lisa Amstutz
July 13, 2011
611
About 360 Dutch oven enthusiasts from 26 states and Canada converged on the Wayne County Fairgrounds July 8-10 to take part in the eighth annual National Dutch Oven Gathering. The aroma of charcoal and simmering chicken filled the air as contestants prepared their cast iron pots for an evening cook-off. Its a way of cooking that not many people remember, said organizer Matt Buser of Green. But anything you can do with a stovetop, microwave or slow cooker, you can do in a Dutch oven.
Buser said he has been interested in Dutch oven cooking since his son was in Cub Scouts. While this was his first national gathering, he has helped to organize a regional gathering at Lehmans the past four years. The national leadership decided to hold their gathering in Wooster because of its proximity to Lehmans and other tourist attractions and small town flavor.
Some of the attendees have been cooking in Dutch ovens for years; others came because they wanted to learn. Demonstrations were held throughout the weekend on topics such as rust removal and how to make scrapple, yeast breads, and even ice cream in a Dutch oven.
Many people combine the gathering with their vacation and some come early to visit the area, like Dwayne Lejeune of Louisiana and his wife, who made the trip to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Attending a gathering for the first time was Tom Stauffer of Connecticut. Its like jumping into the deep end, he said. Dutch oven cooking has been a hobby of mine since I was in Boy Scouts and I wanted to learn more. Im picking up lots of little tricks by being here and watching everyone else.
Stan Kowalski, director of the Western New York chapter of the International Dutch Oven Society (IDOS), is an old hand at Dutch oven cooking, having been involved with scouting for 60 years. I like to eat, he said. Anything you can cook at home, I can cook out in the field. Its not rocket scienceyou just have to learn how to control your heat and time. Kowalski said in his training courses he emphasizes that it is better to make mistakes on the low side so you dont end up with a burnt meal.
A number of local residents turned out for the event as well. Cooking a pot of beans and a caramel apple pie was Paul Sommers of Apple Creek, who came, he said, because it is relaxing and he loves to cook. Tim Rohrer, of Canal Fulton, set up his covered wagon, known as Mountain Mans Chuck Wagon. On Saturday, dressed in period clothing, Rohrer demonstrated how to make homemade noodles.
Wes Stigen, of Wisconsin, has taken Dutch oven cooking a step further than most. He runs a catering outfit called Cowboy Chuckwagon Cuisine, cooking in Dutch ovens for private parties, scouting events, etc. I think the food just tastes better, said Stigen. Ive got 64 Dutch ovens at homeI kind of collect them.
Five cook-offs were held throughout the weekend: a phyllo dough challenge, with dough donated by Athens Foods of Cleveland; a youth cook-off; dessert cook-off; chicken cook-off with chicken donated by Gerbers; and a three-pot cook-off (main dish, bread and dessert). The winner of the three-pot cook-off will qualify to compete in the World Championship Dutch Oven Cook-off, held each year in Utah at the International Dutch Oven Society gathering. A past world champion and five other past contenders attended this years Wooster gathering
The group communicates primarily through a Yahoo Group called Dutch Oven Cooking, where members post recipes, pictures and information about upcoming events. Next years national gathering will be held in Canton, Texas.
