Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

|| High Country Press Newswire

June 5, 2008 issue

Old Hampton Store Hosts 25th Annual Cornbread Cook-Off June 21

Story by David Brewer

On Saturday, June 21, Linville’s Old Hampton Store will celebrate a quarter century in the cornbread business with its 25th Annual Cornbread Cook-Off. Arguably the best-tasting contest in the High Country, the yearly Cornbread Cook-Off is a celebration of the High Country’s chefs who are most skilled with a cast iron skillet.

Whether you’ve got a dog-eared copy of your grandmother’s family recipe or you cook without a net, you’re welcome to enter your finest and fluffiest mess of meal at the Cornbread Cook-Off. Some veteran cornbread cooks have taken part in the contest for more than 20 years, but don’t let that keep you from getting out your favorite bowl and wooden spoon.

As always, contestants are required to drop by the Old Hampton Store any time prior to the contest to fill out an application and pick up a free sack of the Old Hampton Store’s one-of-a-kind stone-ground cornmeal for use in the contest.
Prizes will be awarded in two categories: The Best Old Timey Southern Cornbread and the Old Hampton Store & Barbeque Skillet Award.

Judging at the 25th Annual Cornbread Cook-Off will begin at 12:30 p.m. and judges will be selected at random from those in attendance. Following the selection of the winners, cornbread will be served with some pinto beans and a tall glass of lemonade. Those in need of a down-home cornbread fix should plan to get to the Old Hampton Store early, as supplies typically do not last long.

And while it won’t take all afternoon to determine the big winners in the Cornbread Cook-Off, the Old Hampton Store will celebrate all day long with Uncle Lee’s hand-pulled, hickory smoked BBQ, live bluegrass, art demonstrations next door at 87 Ruffin Street Gallery and plenty of old-fashioned family fun. The store’s historic gristmill will also be in operation.

If cooking cornbread isn’t your forte, do not despair. In September, the Old Hampton Store will host the inaugural Jerky-Off, welcoming those skilled in the ways of making all kinds of the tasty meat treat.

For more info on the cook-off, contact the Old Hampton Store at 828-733-5213.