Havana Catfish Cook-off         

[June 23, 2007]  HAVANA -- Taste will tell at the Havana Catfish Cook-off. Does your spouse always fry that catfish to perfection? Do you have a secret ingredient that makes everyone rave about your cooking when you do catfish? If so, you can show off your cooking skills at the catfish competition on the first night of the Havana Fish and Waterfowl Festival. Havana's catfish festival will start June 29 and run through July 1.

There will be a $200 prize for the first-place winner, with prizes of $150 and $100 for second and third places. According to Havana Mayor Dale Roberts, who is organizing the cook-off, this event will be a "blind judging" based entirely on the flavor of the entry and not on "presentation," so don't worry about the decorative parsley!

Each entry will be provided the same farm-raised catfish fillets to work with. Participants will provide their own batter, seasoning and cooking method. They will also bring their own oil and cookers. There is a $15 entry fee.

Those who like to eat catfish can participate Friday night by enjoying the catfish dinners that will be offered from 5 to 8 p.m. Dinners will be $6 each and will include catfish, potatoes, coleslaw, bread and onions.

People interested in participating in the contest or learning more about it may call City Hall at 309-543-6580 or the Havana Chamber of Commerce at 309-543-3528.

[Text from Havana Chamber of Commerce news release]