Chase Casteel used a metal spatula to scoop freshly grilled mango and red onion off a barbecue grill Saturday.
It was part of the prep work for making sweet and spicy mango salad to go with the berry-glazed mahi mahi he was making for the 4-H Barbecue Competition at the Porter County Fair.
Technically, Chase, 16, of Valparaiso, only had to grill a meat item but said he decided to go “a little extra mile.”
This was his fourth year in the competition and, in light of the dish, he went with a fishing theme for his set-up, complete with a tablecloth decorated with fishing lures and fishnet on the corners of the table.
He decided to go with the mahi mahi because he’s never tried to cook fish on the grill for a contest and threw together components of a few different recipes to make his own, testing it out five times.
“I think it’s fun to come out here and see who can grill the best food,” he said.
The contest, held in the Park Place Pavilion, has been a fair staple for 12 years, and had 14 cooks competing this year, with another four younger kids who made poster projects, said Eric Duttlinger, co-superintendent of the project.
Middle schoolers make a hamburger, hot dog or bratwurst; high school freshmen and sophomores grill the meat of their choice; and junior and seniors are responsible for a meat dish and two sides.
“I’ve seen everything from your normal brats to a kid grilling mahi mahi this year,” Duttlinger said, referring to Chase’s offering.
Judges, selected because of their experience in the food industry, look for proper food safety and sanitation; safety while lighting their charcoal grills; and their grilling technique and how well their food is prepared.
“All in all, it’s what it takes to bring it from fresh meat to finished product,” Duttlinger said, adding kids get two hours to prepare their dish, though they can have more time if they need it.
Savannah Wood, 14, of Portage prepared five-spice burgers for her first try at the contest, using a recipe from her mom. She had a beach theme that included a picnic basket full of beach toys and an apron with snowmen wearing grass skirts.
She declined to share the spices in the burger.
“That wouldn’t be a secret if I told you,” she said.
Five-year project veteran Andrew Wasc, 17, of Morgan Township, planned on grilled corn, asparagus, and ribs for his dish, and picked a football theme because of items his family had at home and what he picked up at a party supply store.
“Everyone can come out here and show off their skills,” he said. “You never know who’s going to win.”
Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Learn more
The Porter County Fair continues through July 30. For more information and a full schedule of events, go to www.portercountyfair.com or find the fair on Facebook.
