The World Champion Squirrel Cook Off
On September 7, 2024, the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off returned to the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale, Arkansas. This free and family-friendly event, hosted by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, featured a variety of exciting activities and culinary delights centered around squirrels.
To kick off the day, up to 40 three-person cooking teams gathered at 9 a.m. to showcase their creative dishes, each containing at least 80 percent squirrel. The dishes ranged from exotic flavor combinations like squirrel fried pies with gravy ice cream, to traditional favorites like grilled and fried squirrel. These skilled chefs were not the only ones offering a taste of their creations; vendors from the local area also provided a wide variety of game dishes like jambalaya and jerky.
In addition to the culinary excitement, the event included a range of other activities such as the World Champion Squirrel Skinning Contest, the World’s Hottest Squirrel Eating Competition, and a unique squirrel-calling contest. The Marksmanship Center hosted a squirrel shootoff, while the nature center offered videos, crafts, and educational programs focused on squirrels for kids. Local bands entertained the crowd, and food trucks were on hand to supplement the many food offerings.
A most memorable part of the event was the sale of a World Championship Squirrel cookbook, which featured winning recipes from past years. The proceeds from the cookbook sales were donated to the local 4-H club, which volunteered to help with parking during the event. Overall, the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off presented a fun-filled day of wild game cooking, sportsmanship, and community engagement in Northwest Arkansas.
While this event has just taken place, the public is already looking forward to the next installment. With its rich history and commitment to fun and family entertainment, the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off is an event that continues to grow and captivate.