Georgetown, Colorado hosts Dutch Oven Cook-Off

Georgetown, Colorado
Georgetown, Colorado (Photo by H.M. Kerr-Schlaefer)

I write about festivals and events, I read about festivals and events, and I attend a lot of festivals and events, so at this point it takes a truly unique event to get me excited. This is one of those events.

When I discovered the Georgetown Dutch Oven Cook-Off I was ecstatic for multiple reasons. First, I’d never heard of such an event, and second, I love food and last, but not least, I love Georgetown, Colorado.

As an owner of a Dutch oven that is still in the box, I’ve always been fascinated with them, although, obviously not fascinated enough to actually use it. Dutch oven are cast iron pots with three legs for cooking over the coals. The benefit of cast iron is that is distributes heat evenly, retains heat and a good cast iron can last for years.

Dutch Oven
Here is the Dutch Oven by Lodge that I own.

They have supposedly been around since the 7th Century, although my research revealed some contradictions surrounding the date. The importance of Dutch ovens to western settlers, however, is not in dispute – pioneers even put their Dutch ovens in their wills. For a brief history of the Dutch oven go to Chuck Wagon Supply.

The 3rd Annual Georgetown Dutch Oven Cook-Off is schedule for September 17, 2011. Georgetown is located just off I70, about 45 minutes west of Denver. It’s a HeidiTown favorite and I’ve written about the town previously.

For the cook-off competitors the day starts at 7 a.m., but for those who want to enjoy the town and do some sampling, the event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be three cooking categories including Miner’s Stew, High Country Bread and Rocky Mountain Cobbler. The event is sanction by the International Dutch Oven Society – which makes me love it even more – and official judging will occur during the event. However, you’ll have a chance to buy tastes at $1 a sample and cast your vote for the People Choice Award.

The cook stations will be located around downtown Georgetown, while the beer and brat garden will be at Strousse Park along with a fire pit and storytellers.

Honestly, I can think of no better way to say goodbye to summer than at the Georgetown Dutch Oven Cookoff, and I plan to be there.

Get all the details of this event at GeorgetownCookOff.com.


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