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Great Steaks! At the SCA Cookoff in Little Rock, Arkansas

June 1, 2019 By WooPigFoodie Leave a Comment

If you’re like me, there’s nothing as good as the smell of a steak on the grill. Smoky, meaty, and rich, it’s the grilled food of the summer, better than burgers, dogs, or corn. But did you know that there’s a Steak Cookoff Association? These folks get together on weekends in select cities and compete to grill off the best steak. Here’s a sneak peak at the fun, at the SCA steak cookoff competition last weekend in Little Rock, Arkansas!

It all starts out with the steak. In an SCA steak cookoff competition, they lay out a hundred or so ribeye steaks and let the teams select them. There’s a round-robin process that orders who gets to choose their first steak first, and that team gets to pick their second steak last. That’s all they get: two beautiful steaks. Take a look:

A table of steaks

The choices can be tough, sometimes.

Choosing a steak

Maybe this one instead?

choosing a steak

Hmm. Maybe this one.

choosing a steak

Yep. This one.

choosing a steak

Only the judges get to touch the steaks.

Most folks find at least one that they’re happy with.

happy

Now that you have two steaks to compete with, it’s time to prep them. That starts out with the trimming.

cutting steaks

Once it’s trimmed, you want to tie it off. That keeps that nice circle shape.

tying off steak

Make sure you check your recipe. (This was from the kid’s cookoff, where they made a single bite wonder.)

steak recipe

There are lots of secret spices and sauces. Hope I’m not spoiling anything.

sauces

The kids had a great time. So did the Dads.

Dad and son

Even the dogs had a good time. Shoot. Especially the dogs.

Cute puppy

Because Steak.

steak bites

Some people have been doing this a long time and are big time winners.

winner

Some people are super big-time winners.

Winner ring

I really liked this guy. He knew what he was doing and still took time to explain it to me. He was the points champion last year. Won so many competitions he got a ring.

winner steak man

Here’s his buddy, also a champion.

champion

If you win today, you get this good looking cooker.

winning prize

Some people are super serious. Others are just here for fun. Some are a little of both.

competition

competitor

competitor

There’s also a sides competition. People make all kinds of things. This team is making egg rolls:

egg roll

eggrolls

This one was a winner. A seafood cup. It was awesome!

seafood cup

Bacon wrapped goat cheese dates!

bacon wrapped dates

I wish I could have tried these oysters. I really love grilled oysters.

grilled oysters

I’m not sure what these were, but they look like smoked bacon donuts. And I love how that sounds.

bacon donuts

Ok. Back to steaks. Most folks cook off their first steak as a test. Then they repeat what they did the second time and put it in their competition turn in box:

turn in box

Pretty much everyone seemed to cook on a PK Grill, made right here in Little Rock.

PK Grill

I saw a lot of seasonings, since the game here is layers of flavor.

seasoned steak

There are lots of cooking techniques, but everyone wants to get a great sear. You have to get the grill really hot to start. Most use these grill grates:

grill grates

And it’s important to get a nice cross hatch as you go.

cross hatch steak

Make sure you check the temperature.

check the temperature

Sometimes it’s hard, but pick the right one.

picking a steak

Then you need to douse it in butter. Mmmn.

steak with butter

When you’re done, make sure the best eating part is in the front of the box. The judges cut it in half, and only eat the front part. Words to the wise.

steak is done

Make sure you turn it in on time. A minute late means you get to take it home. They won’t judge it.

turn in

Then you wait. There’s lots of camaraderie.

happy folks

Good family time.

family folks waiting

And someone comes away with a win!

winners

All in all, an SCA steak cookoff is a pretty fun event. I will make sure to attend next year. Because Steak.

steak

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: BBQ Contests, Grilling

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