Think squirrel isn’t a dinner-table staple? The World Champion Squirrel Cookoff is back to prove that Arkansas’ wildest ingredients can make for some surprisingly creative dishes.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is once again teaming up with Ozark personality Joe Wilson for the annual event, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale.
The AGFC’s Northwest Arkansas nature center has hosted the cookoff since the event returned in 2023, following the COVID-19 pandemic. Wilson originally launched the competition in 2012.
“It’s just a natural fit for us to partner with Joe, who started the cook off in 2012 and always held it right here in northwest Arkansas,” JJ Gladden, assistant chief of the AGFC’s Education Division, said. “The AGFC has had cooking classes and events for as long as I can remember to teach people how to prepare the fish and wild game they come home with. When Joe was looking for a new home for his event after COVID, we knew it was a great opportunity to partner with our newest nature center in Northwest Arkansas.”
All dishes must use wild-harvested squirrels as their base protein, and smart teams use squirrel in side dishes, too. AGFC photo.
Teams will begin setting up Friday afternoon, with final preparations wrapping up by 7 a.m. Saturday. Cooking begins at 9 a.m., with officials first verifying that teams are using all-natural, no-preservatives-added, free-range limb chicken.
While the competition gets underway, visitors can expect plenty of food to sample throughout the day.
“You probably aren’t going to see a whole lot of food handouts in that first hour or two because the teams are focused on getting their entry off to a good start, but I’ve seen some venison chorizo breakfast burritos and ‘some-kinda-critter sausage’ and biscuits set out for early guests,” Wilson said. “At about 11 you really start to see some of the teams serving up extras once they have their entries organized.”
Wilson will also offer an assortment of outdoor-inspired dishes, including options for visitors who aren’t ready to make squirrel their first choice.
“I always try to have something for everyone to enjoy while they’re here celebrating America’s most underrated protein,” Wilson said. “Some people aren’t quite brave enough to give squirrel a try, so I have much tamer dishes available. You know, rabbit, alligator, wild boar; you know, normal foods.”
Cooking teams have plenty of samples to share at the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off. AGFC photo.
Past offerings have included unexpected dishes such as tacos made with fried silver carp.
Beyond the food, the event will feature outdoor education and activities for the whole family.
“We’ll also have a variety of outdoor education courses during the event for people to enjoy and learn,” Gladden said. “Our new cave experience trailer will be on-site for people to try and our K-9 Unit will have a demonstration at 10 to show people how these special dogs help game wardens track down poachers as well as assist other law enforcement agencies in tracking, search-and-rescue and evidence recovery. Plus we’ll have a ton of ‘squirrely’ activities for the kids waiting inside the building if people need a chance to cool off.”
The day’s events will also include the World’s Hottest Squirrel Eating Contest and the annual World Champion Squirrel Skinning Contest. Participants can sign up for either competition on-site.
For a complete list of rules, event updates and instructions to nab one of the few remaining cooking team spots, click here.
Feature Image: World-famous side events at the cook off include the World Champion Squirrel Skinning Contest and the World’s Hottest Squirrel Eating Contest. AGFC photo.
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