The 15th Annual RoadKill Cook-off will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2006 in Marlinton, WV. Winning recipe is based on taste, originality, showmanship and compliance with the rules. Prizes are $600.00 for first place; $300.00 for second place and $150.00 for third place. A People's Choice Award is given to contestant with the most votes from the sampling public. A Showmanship Award is given to the contestant with the best overall setup. 
What was once a small country town cook-off held for fun is now a serious competition for teams of cooks thought the southeast. "We're growing in both the number of cooks who come out and the number of spectators who drive from other states to enjoy the unusual cuisine and food presentation" said David J. Cain, of Marlinton, chairperson of the event which last year hosted over 5,000 people.
The RoadKill Cook-off, one of many activities that go on during Marlinton's Autumn Harvest Festival, is actually a cleverly disguised wild game cook-off. The rules actually stipulate only that the main ingredient be an animal commonly found dead along the side of the road. The meat products used in the recipes are wholesome, well prepared food and are cooked on the spot to insure freshness and good taste. Any talk of judges picking gravel out of their teeth while sampling the fare is a grossly exaggerated rumor. Judging begins at 2 p.m. after spectators have had an opportunity to taste the fare.
 The West Virginia RoadKill Cook-off as it is now called, coupled with the coinciding event, Autumn Harvest Festival is one of the region's highlights during the month of September. Last year's winners were a group from Central Virginia, the Coal Hollow Brothers. It was their first win after placing in the top three for several preceding years. "We've made many friends in the county and in Marlinton since we've been coming to the Cook-off the last eight years," said Ed Blackford a cook from the winning team, "People around Marlinton are fun folks and we get a real kick coming and visiting with them year after year."
For a complete set of rules and registration form, or for travel and lodging information, call the Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-336-7009. You can find all the forms you need online here by choosing the following: Rules and Regulations, Registration Form, Judge's Form and Release Form. Application and rules can also be e-mailed to roadkillwv@hotmail.com. This event is co-sponsored by the Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce and the Humane Society of Pocahontas County.
Jamie
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