The aroma of 28 delicious beef dishes filled the air during the 2016 Chilton County 4-H Beef Cook-Off.

The event was held on Jan. 22 at the Jemison Municipal Building.

The program was sponsored by the Chilton County Extension Office in conjunction with area family and consumer science departments.

Family and consumer science teachers promoted the program to their classes.

Pam Ousley from Maplesville; Joy Hicks from Thorsby; Raynette Ellison from Jemison High School; Gail Mims from Jemison Middle School; and Melissa Ellison from Verbena High School all brought students to this year’s competition.

In addition, the teachers brought student helpers to assist judges during the competition.

During the judging portion of the program, Kayla Greer, director of social media and communications for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association presented a program about the beef industry using the game “So You Want to be a Beefanaire.”

The Jemison High School FACS teacher and students taught a lesson on the importance of protein and passed out the ingredients for a protein packed snack that everyone could make and take samples home.

Josine Walter, the 4-H Foundation Regional Agent, coordinated the event and served as emcee.

“Selecting cuts of beef and using the appropriate cooking methods are skills that are needed by consumers,” Walter said. “This 4-H event is a fun way to learn by doing.”

Judges for the event were Virginia Littlefield, Pat Farmer, Elizabeth Byrd, Kendra Williams, Belda Coburn, and Ann Moore.

The judges all agreed it was no easy task to choose the winners from so many creative dishes.

The winner in the junior division was Lucas Jones with his honey siracha beef kabobs and the winner in the senior division was Jarrett Price with stuffed flank steak with loaded onions.

The winners in the junior division included first place winner, Lucas Jones from Jemison Middle School; second place winner, Bentley Cross from Jemison Middle School with his dish of beef stew; and third place winner Logan Woodley from Jemison Middle School with her dish of fried green tomato beef burgers.

The winners in the senior division included Kayla Greer with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association; first place winner Jarrett Price from Thorsby High School; second place winner Aniston Bolding from Thorsby High School with her dish of citrus and chili braised short ribs; third place winner, Bailey Underwood from Thorsby High School with her dish of creamy lasagna roll ups.