A Catfish Cookoff!
The Okie Noodling Festival is my favorite event in Oklahoma. The greatest mix of film geeks, hipsters, curiosity seekers, Pauls Valley folk, bikers, roller derby girls, red dirt country fans, and of course the noodlers themselves all descend upon Pauls Valley for the greatest time in the hottest weather. When the noodlers back in their trucks — and it’s invariably trucks (no one brings their hand-caught fish in a Ford Festiva) and bring in their fish for judging, people crowd around and aim cameras above their heads at the load-out of giant gnarly catfish, it’s like paparazzi descending on movie stars at a premiere.
This year’s Okie Noodling Festival on July 11th- named one of “101 of the Greatest Festivals, Sporting Events, and Celebrations in the U.S”– marks its 10th anniversary. This year adds another competition to the renowned first and biggest competition for largest catfish caught by hand. Forward Foods (i.e. “me”) is calling for entries for the first annual Okie Noodling Catfish Cookoff to find Oklahoma’s best cooked catfish dish.
Why am I doing this? I thought a cookoff would be a natural companion to the fishing contest. And I plan on doing other cookoffs here at the store Now don’t worry, the catfish does not have to be hand-fished. In fact, the rules on the entry form available state, “Farm-raised catfish not only OK to use, but encouraged!” Catfish is one of the few fishes preferred farm-raised to wild-caught for eating. Catfish tend to eat off the bottom of lakes and ponds and don’t eat the best stuff. On farms, there’s more control of a catfish’s diet.
However the catfish is obtained, taste and presentation are key. Me, Mark Amspacher, owner of the Diner in Norman (soon to be featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) and Phil Henderson, owner of Bob’s Pig Shop, will sample the prepared dishes and assign scores on those two criteria. Innovation and novelty are fine, but only if it enhances the taste of catfish. A traditional cornmeal battered fried catfish, if done just right, could win this contest. The incentive is prize money: 1st place gets $100 2nd place gets $50 and 3rd place gets $25. Entry fee is $15 and the deadline is Friday, July 10th.
So go to paulsvalley.com or okienoodling.com and enter. I’m looking forward to a great time!
