Television cameras will be rolling at the first World Wagyu Brisket and Steak Cookoff scheduled in conjunction with the Hamilton County Dove Festival on Labor Day weekend at Fair Park.  Cookoff organizer, Dale Sommerfeld, said this week that RFD Channel will be filming the cookoff to be aired on the “American Rancher with Pam Minick” program.

Sommerfeld said he hopes to have 40 teams competing for $5000 in prize money and the competition will be limited to the first 40 paid teams.  Wagyu steaks and briskets will furnished to the cooking teams and the selections will be made by drawing.

All proceeds from the cookoff will go to help retire debt incurred to build the Pete and Polly Jenkins Wing onto the Jayson Harris Pavilion at Fair Park.  The new addition to the pavilion is used for various events throughout the year, but was specifically designed to house livestock during the annual Hamilton County Youth Fair.

The Texas Wagyu Association is helping to sponsor the cookoff, and several other local sponsors are also contributing to the event.

The public will have an opportunity to enjoy Wagyu beef during a supper starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday.  Brisket plates will sell for $15 and steak plates for $25.  Supper tickets will also be entered into drawings for door prizes.

Wagyu is a Japanese breed of cattle, one from which the famous Kobe type of beef is produced.

Cookers entered in the competition will receive Wagyu Cookoff backpacks with souvenirs and caps.

For more information about the cookoff or to enter, contact Sommerfeld at 216-1421 or email dale@dalesbbqtx.com.