John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off

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  • Colley Jones of Mineola fires up his coals in preparation for the annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off held at Heritage Park Saturday with Indian Summer Days. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
    Colley Jones of Mineola fires up his coals in preparation for the annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off held at Heritage Park Saturday with Indian Summer Days. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
  • Donnie Peters, representing Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op in Sulphur Springs, sets out fresh coals for his entries in Saturday’s annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Contest. Peters took home third place for his competitive efforts. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
    Donnie Peters, representing Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op in Sulphur Springs, sets out fresh coals for his entries in Saturday’s annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Contest. Peters took home third place for his competitive efforts. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
  • The John Chester Dutch Oven took place Saturday at Heritage Park with Indian Summer Days in the background. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
    The John Chester Dutch Oven took place Saturday at Heritage Park with Indian Summer Days in the background. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
  • Train rides were offered to kids and adults alike for a tour through Heritage Park Saturday during the annual Indian Summer Days and John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off held Saturday. Staff photo by Jillian Smith.
    Train rides were offered to kids and adults alike for a tour through Heritage Park Saturday during the annual Indian Summer Days and John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off held Saturday. Staff photo by Jillian Smith.
  • Proud of her accomplishment even before the announcement that she would be taking home the Best Meat category in the annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Contest, Laney Willhite, 11, was a first-time competitor at the event held at Heritage Park Saturday. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
    Proud of her accomplishment even before the announcement that she would be taking home the Best Meat category in the annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Contest, Laney Willhite, 11, was a first-time competitor at the event held at Heritage Park Saturday. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
  • Nancy Beauchamp, a pastels artist from Winnsboro, was one of several vendors at Heritage Park Saturday for the annual Indian Summer Days. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
    Nancy Beauchamp, a pastels artist from Winnsboro, was one of several vendors at Heritage Park Saturday for the annual Indian Summer Days. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
  • Sweet potato was on the menu at the Heritage Park team site Saturday. While the group was not competing, they offered six different recipes, including cobbler and jambalaya, to the hungry folks participating in the all-you-can-eat, annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off held Saturday. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
    Sweet potato was on the menu at the Heritage Park team site Saturday. While the group was not competing, they offered six different recipes, including cobbler and jambalaya, to the hungry folks participating in the all-you-can-eat, annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off held Saturday. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
  • In her 15th year competing at the Johns Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Contest in Heritage Park Saturday, Teresa Reser, of the team Western Gypsies of just outside Tulsa, Okla., gets ready to check one of her entries, lifting the lid and hot coals from the pot. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
    In her 15th year competing at the Johns Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Contest in Heritage Park Saturday, Teresa Reser, of the team Western Gypsies of just outside Tulsa, Okla., gets ready to check one of her entries, lifting the lid and hot coals from the pot. Staff photo by Jillian Smith
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Annual contest set against Indian Summer Days

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The annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cook-off was held in conjunction with Indian Summer Days Saturday at Heritage Park in Sulphur Springs. Prizes were awarded for first through third places and for best meat, vegetable, bread, dessert and Best in Pot.

First place went to Margie For, second place to Benji Brown and third place to Donnie Peters. Each received a plaque and a tote of cutlery from Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op. Other categories and winners included:

  • Best Bread—Beth Jones 
  • Best Dessert—Melinda Hitt
  • Best Vegetable—Wanda Crist
  • Best Meat—Laney Willhite
  • Best in Pot—Edward Etmus.

Etmus cooked up chocolate pecan cobbler, sour cream and onion cornbread, country ribs, and potatoes.