Download the Entry Form here.

Entry

  • Entries are limited to the first Fifteen (15) officially entered wagons.

  • $150.00 entry fee is required along with a completed entry form for an official entry. Fee will be cashed upon non-show or fee to be reimbursed with check-in.

  • Make checks payable to Llano River Chuck Wagon Cook-off along with the application and remit to: Llano River Chuck Wagon Cook-off, P.O Box 661, Llano, Texas, 78643. Application can also be emailed to llanochmaberinfo@llanochamber.org.

  • In lieu of providing the entry fee, applicant can provide Credit card information on the application.0000000000000

  • Categories are: Meat, Beans, Potatoes, Bread, Dessert, Wagon and Campsite Authenticity.

  • Questions can be directed to Anita Hilton (810) 217-4633 Matt Hilton (810) 845-5673 David Griffith (512) 914-5306 or Morrison Smith (325) 423-5023

  • There are NO rain dates.

  • Additional wagon payments for show up will be made.

  • Entry deadline is March 1.

Arrival

  • Cook-off is held in Badu Park on the North bank of the Llano River.

  • Wagons may arrive and check in with the Wagon Boss starting Thursday.

  • Campsites will be available as soon as possible for set up starting Thursday.

  • Campsites may be chosen in order of your arrival starting on availabliity Thursday.

  • Wagons will be allowed to set up when the site is ready.

  • All camps will be fully setup for judging by noon Friday.

  • Wagon transport trailers and vehicles will not be allowed on the park road by the river after 10:00 am Friday. Parking for wagon transport trailers will be designated.

  • PRE-RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE MADE.

Accommodations

  • Accommodations for hotel, motel, RV's, and B&B’s may be made thru www.llanolodging.com

  • Badu City Park RV spaces are limited and available only on a first come basis.

  • Wagon crews are welcome to camp at their wagon. Only tents and cowboy teepees are allowed.

  • Campers, RVs, or camping trailers of any make are not allowed to set up in the cook-off area.

Cook’s Meeting

  • Friday at 12:00 noon unless otherwise announced.

What We Provide

  • Conversation wood. You must furnish your own cooking wood.

  • Food products to feed 44-54 persons. Beef for country fried steak, dry pinto beans, potatoes, and onions, fruit for desert, eggs, flour, cooking oil, sugar, milk, butter, and gravy mix.

  • Water access, ice, and two cases bottled water for serving the public.

  • Paper goods and utensils for the public meal, and food judging containers

  • Two Volunteers for Saturday meal serving. Only until serving is completed.

Cooking Rules

  • A designated head cook and up to three others shall comprise the official cooking crew of the wagon. Only the official cooking crew may be in camp and be involved in the preparation and cooking until after the food samples have been turned in for judging.

  • Each team will be expected to practice food safety handling and sanitation procedures including having a food thermometer available, and a three (3) stage dishwashing station.

  • A current in date fire extinguisher must be visible. It will not be considered in judging.

  • Food will be prepared with the ingredients provided by the Llano River Chuck Wagon Cook-off group. Preparation and cooking of all foods will be on-site using wood fires.

  • Pan liners may be used.

  • Each wagon will prepare, country fried steak, potatoes (no potato salad), pinto beans, bread (no cornbread), and dessert (from fruit provided) for 40-50 persons.

  • Gravy mix will be provided for serving to the public, but not turned in for judging.

  • The following ingredients will NOT be permitted: Boxed or prepared pre-mixes, bell peppers, mushrooms, mayonnaise, commercial sauces, powdered sugar, chili mixes, sour cream, and frozen foods. Teams observed preparing foods with said ingredients will be disqualified.

 

Judging:

Wagons and Campsites

  • All camps will be fully set up by noon Friday.

  • Wagons and campsite judging will start at noon Friday, or earlier if a wagon is ready.

  • Wagon judges will be currently certified ACWA judges. We will always plan on having three Judges.

  • This is a trail wagon competition

  • Fireboxes will be allowed, but wood stoves will not.

  • Teams may dig fire holes, but they must be filled prior to departure.

  • Cooking crew will wear period clothing during the cook-off.

  • Wagon transport trailers and vehicles will not be allowed on the park road by the river after 10:00 am Friday. Parking for wagon transport trailers will be designated.

Food

  • Judging samples are to be taken from the same foods prepared for the public meal.

  • Pre-numbered Styrofoam containers will be used for food samples for judging.

  • Food samples will be ready by 11:45am Saturday and delivered in the pre-numbered sample boxes provided to the designated collection tables by your team member.

  • Event personnel will receive all food samples and transport to the judging area.

  • Food judging will be conducted in an isolated area, away from the wagons.

Public Meal on Saturday

  • Each wagon will serve 40-50 pre-sold ticket holders.

  • Please do not let the public serve themselves.

  • Styrofoam containers will be provided to serve food.

  • Service time has been advertised for 12:00 noon.

  • Hold food no longer than one hour.

  • After the Head Cook believes that all ticketed public and his crew have been served, around 12:30 - 12:45PM, he/she should make arrangements to provide any extra meals to the Chuckwagon main tent for possible sale to any general public requesting a meal.

Prizes

  • Prize money will be awarded to four places in each category: $400 for First Place, $300 for Second Place, $200 for Third Place, and $100 for Fourth Place. (**In the event that fewer than 11 wagons participate, only three places will be awarded. at $300, $200 and $100).

  • Additional prizes will be awarded for the Overall winner.

  • All ties will result in an equal division of the prize money for the places involved.

  • Each category will be considered equally in figuring the overall placement.

  • All prizes are based on a four-person crew.

 

Friday Night

  • The Sponsor, Wagon Teams and Volunteer meal will be served at 5:30pm or as soon after as it is ready.

Departure

  • Wagons may break down anytime after the public meal has been served on Saturday.

  • Wagons should not plan on leaving the grounds until after the announcement of the results.

  • All wagons are welcome to stay Saturday night, but must be out by 12:00 noon on Sunday. As noted below, there will be no security provided on Saturday night.

  • Wagon crews are expected to leave their camp as clean as they found it and all fires extinguished. If you dig a fire pit, replace the sod.

Additional

  • The Llano River Chuck Wagon Cook-off reserves the right to reject any entry or to remove any contestant or team found to be in violation of the rules or whose conduct is found to be unfavorable to the event or its guests. The head cook will be responsible for the conduct of his/her team and guests. Excessive use of alcoholic beverages will be grounds for disqualification and removal.

  • Wagon transport trailers, campers, RVs, and vehicles will not be allowed on the park road by the river except during designated times for set up, take down, and restocking.

  • Advertising on wagons will not be permitted.

  • With an exception for the handicapped, all motorized vehicles, except those used by Chuckwagon personnel are not allowed in the park area. Assistance dogs for the handicapped are allowed.

  • NO ANIMALS, are allowed in the campsites and cooking areas due to health reasons. The City of Llano enforces a leash law in the park.

  • Night watch/security will be on the grounds Thursday and Friday evenings from dusk until dawn.

  • The executive committee of the Llano River Chuck Wagon Cook-off reserves the right to interpret and make adjustments to these rules should the need arise and will resolve all disputes arising because of them. Their judgment is final.

  • The Llano River Chuck Wagon Cook-off Committee, its sponsors, Llano Chamber of Commerce, and City of Llano will not be liable for theft, damage, or accidents.

  • By signing the entry form, you and your team acknowledge you have read and understand the rules, and will follow them during the cook-off, and that failure to abide by the rules at anytime will subject your wagon and crew to be disqualified from this event.