Here’s the Beef Cook-off

Parking was nearly at capacity at the St. Landry Parish Agricultural Arena for the 35th annual Here’s the Beef Cook-off.
Daniel Lyons, chairman of the event held Saturday, said it was probably a record crowd for the event that showcases beef.
“If not the biggest, it sure pushes it hard,” he said of the crowd size. “Everybody enjoyed themselves.”
More than a 1,000 people attended, he said.
The St. Landry Parish Cattlemen Association’s cook-off name was a takeoff from the “Where’s the beef” launched in a Wendy’s advertising campaign bragging about the restaurant’s beef burgers in the mid-1980s.
The cook-off has outlasted it namesake and judging from Saturday’s crowd has a happy home in St. Landry Parish.
There were 98 entries in the cooking contest from 40 booths, Lyons said. Last year there were 87 entries, but the usual number in previous years has been 55 to 60 entries, he said.
A trail ride Saturday morning included 130 horses, he said.
“It was beautiful day. Not too hot. Wasn’t too cold and it was just comfortable,” Lyons said.
Lyons didn’t have a number, but the cattlemen sold out of beer and had to get more for the thirsty crowd.
The cook-off is a promotion for beef, he said.
The cook-off also showcases “backyard” chefs, he said.
Beef is a $12.9 million industry in St. Landry Parish, according to the 2018 LSU AgCenter summary of agriculture. Cattle and calves in 2018 was valued at $13.9 milllion in Evangeline Parish and $4 million in Acadia Parish.
In the state, the industry has a gross value of $413.7 million and generates an economic impact of $465.4 million in the state.
Winners in the cook-off include the following.
Gourmet: first, The St. John Restaurant, Dupre Carrier Godchaux, Brett Deshotel and Jude Armand; and second, Kewe Da Allie – Gator, Travis Blevins.
Brisket: first, C R Cooking team, Clint Guillory; and second, St Landry Parish Farm Bureau, Marty Roberts.
Roast: first, Back Woods Hunting Club, Chris Mards; and second, Vautrot’s Mini Mart, Jamie Mancoe.
Tongue: first, Progressive Tractor, Shane Beard Jr.; second, Guidry Farms, Kevin Guidry.
Ground Meat: first, Guidry Farms, Kevin Guidry; and second, C.R Cooking team, Clint Guillory.
Miscellanous: first, St. Landry Parish Farm Bureau, Mids Hardis; and second, Opelousas Lions Club, Christine Hebert.
Stew/Rice & Gravy: first, Krewe DeBouef, Joey Guilbeau; and second, Guidry Farms, Kevin Guidry.
Co-champions are: in the Gourmet category were St. John Restaurant and Dupre, Carrier Godcheaux, Brett Deshotel; and in the Tongue category, Progressive Tractor, Shane Beard Jr.
Best Booth: first, Krewe DeAllie-Gator, Travis Blevins; and second, 3 Fools, Shane Deville.
Best Dressed team: first, Dupre Wizard of OZ Farm, Mike Dupre; and second, 3 Fools, Shane Deville.