Chamber seeks entries in Triple Treat contest

Nevada Daily Mail

A new community event, the Triple Treat Tournament, made its debut last summer and will be once again sponsored by the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce this year. The contest challenges Vernon County cooks to bring in their best homemade pies, cakes and ice cream to compete and have some fun.

This year the event has been expanded with the addition of the pecan category sponsored by the Missouri Northern Pecan Growers. Chamber executive director Cat McGrath-Farmer said she was grateful to the pecan growers and said, "it gives entrants a chance to enter a cake, pie or ice cream in the pecan category, I think it will be an exciting category to watch develop."

Tournament winners will take home ribbons and a total $775 worth of "Chamber Bucks" which are dollar for dollar equivalents that can be redeemed at more than 50 area businesses. First prize in each category will be $100 worth of Chamber Bucks, second prize is $75 worth of Chamber Bucks and third prize is $50 worth of Chamber Bucks. There will only be one prize of $100 awarded in the pecan category.

Contestants can enter as many times and in as many categories as they wish. Entries that are to be judged require a fee; $5 for the first entry, $4 for the second entry and $3 for each additional entry. Contestants must include a recipe with their items. Non-judged items are welcome and aren't charged an entry fee, but must comply with category regulations. After the judging, all the entries will be sold to those attending the event for a per slice price.

McGrath-Farmer is excited about the event and she has transmitted that excitement to merchants around the Square. "This year the Nevada retailers are supporting the Triple Treat Tournament by staying open Thursday evening during the tournament time around the Square and surrounding streets," McGrath-Farmer said.

Just like last year, there will be several judges from the community.

A panel of three will judge each entry.

Cindy Johnson of the Chamber of Commerce noted that the judging will be blind, but there is a member of the clergy in each category "to keep an eye on the politicians," and there is a member of the community in each group "to keep an eye on the clergy," she said. "This year's competition should be a lot of fun."

Judging the pie entries this year will be: George Hold, Jayne Novak and the Rev. Justin Hoye; the cakes judges are Dennis Painter, Lynn M. Ewing and Ralph Clark; ice cream will be judged by Bonnie McCord, Amy Myer and Tommy Transue and choosing the single winner in the pecan category will be Randy Ludwig, Frank Arnold and Steve Russ. Jeff Farmer will act as the alternate judge.

"Vernon County has a lot of good cooks," Johnson said, "and that makes for good competition." Anyone from the county or surrounding area is welcome. "It's an opportunity to cash in on your special recipe," she said.

All entries must be received at the chamber offices by 4 p.m. July 21. Official entry forms and contest rules can be picked up at the Chamber offices located at 225 West Austin, Suite 200.

Pie and cake entries are to arrive at 6 p.m. on the day of the event. Ice cream may be entered by 6:15; judging and the event begins at 6:30 p.m. Entries may be dropped off at the Chamber no later than 4 p.m. if a contestant is unable to attend.

The 2010 Triple Treat Tournament will be held rain or shine.

Johnson said, "It is a chamber fundraiser, but it is also an event for the community to get out and enjoy the Square... Come out and shop till you drop."

For more information or questions call the chamber of commerce at (417) 667-5300.