Iron Pig Cook-Off Takes Place Saturday at Daybreak

The 2013 Iron Pig Championship Cook-Off takes place this Saturday evening during Daybreak’s Fizz Fest at SoDa Row in South Jordan. The Iron Pig cooking club was founded by Tom and Teresa Akagi, who organize cook-offs during the year.
I was a judge at last year’s Iron Pig contest, and it was one of the best-tasting competitions I’ve ever judged in my 20-year food writing career. Laraine Hunt and Sarah Clark were last year’s winners, and LaRaine is competing again.
This year’s cook-off theme is Gourmet Carnival and Fair Foods. Cooks have two hours to create three items,
varying from the traditional to the exotic. A popular food trend right now is hybrid foods — such as the doughnut/croissant mashup known as the Cronut, or the Ramen Burger (bun made of ramen noodles.)
I’m going to be a judge again, so I’m expecting to see a lot of creativity.
Iron Pig teams need to make three items: something savory, something sweet, and something made with the “secret ingredient,” which is soda pop. It’s a nice little tie-in with the Fizz Fest theme.
The teams will begin cooking around 5 p.m., with judging starting at 7 p.m.
Unfortunately, Utah Board of Health restrictions prohibit bystanders from sampling the food. But, several food trucks will be parked along SoDa Row:
Kona ice, World Dog, Smokin’ Hot BBQ, Off the Grid, Bento Truck, Bjorn Brews and Chick Fil-A. Also,Swirly Girls, The Break and Cafe Bella Rue, located on SoDa Row, will be open for business. So nobody should go away hungry.