The Sullivan County Fair Crock-Pot Cook-Off

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026

Location: Sullivan County Fairgrounds (Piney Flats, TN)

Entry Fee: $10 per category (Benefits The Miss Sullivan County Fair Pageant Scholarship)

Competition Categories

To keep things competitive and organized, entrants will compete in three distinct divisions:

• The Chili Championship: Anything goes—Texas red, white chicken, or vegetarian. Heat levels must be labeled (Mild, Medium, or “Call the Fire Department”).
• Savory Soups & Stews: From classic beef stew and Brunswick stew to creamy potato soups.
• Slow-Cooker Sweets: Yes, Crock-Pots make dessert! Think cobblers, bread puddings, and molten lava cakes.

Rules & Guidelines

• Equipment: All dishes must be served directly from a standard electric slow cooker (Crock-Pot or similar brand).
• Quantity: Participants must prepare a minimum of 4 quarts to ensure enough volume for both the judging panel and the “People’s Choice” public tasting.
• Prep: Your dish must be fully cooked and able to be just kept warm before arriving at the grounds.
• Power: The fair will provide access to standard 110V power strips. Competitors must bring their own heavy-duty, indoor/outdoor extension cord (minimum 10 feet).
• Food Safety: All slow cookers must maintain a minimum holding temperature of 140°F (60°C) during the judging phase

Judging Criteria

A panel of three local judges will score each entry on a 40-point scale:

Criteria	Points	Description
Taste & Balance	15 pts	Flavor profile, seasoning, and overall deliciousness
Texture	10 pts	Meat tenderness, vegetable firmness, and consistency
Originality	10 pts	Unique ingredients or creative twists on a classic
Aroma & Appearance	5 pts	How appetizing it looks and smells in the pot

Prizes:

First place in each category receives a $100 cash prize and a Sullivan County Fair Blue Ribbon. The overall highest-scoring dish wins the “Grand Champion Crock-Pot”. 

Event Day Schedule

Competitor Check-in & Setup

2:00 PM

Cooks arrive at the exhibition station, find their assigned table space, plug in their cookers, and arrange their garnishes.

Official Judging Begins

3:00 PM

Blind taste-testing by the panel begins. Runners will bring numbered bowls from the cookers to the judges’ table.

Awards

4:00 PM

Winners are announced at the exhibition station, ribbons are awarded, and the Grand Champion is crowned.