While droving still occurs today, the Australian drover once moved livestock on horseback overland for thousands of kilometres through large uncharted areas of the Australian landscape in search of feed and water for their animals.
It’s a highly regarded aspect of Australian’s agricultural history for which many songs, poems and yarns have been written.
The drover’s cook was a member of the droving crew who managed the food and cooking supplies and cooked for the drover’s crew on open fires every day of the drive.
The Drovers Camp Oven Cook-Off is being held to embody the spirit of those drover’s cooks.
We invite you to take part in this fun, one-day competition, cooking in camp ovens and competing for some fantastic prizes.
An entry fee of $5 per entrant is payable upon registration via Trybooking to secure a fire pit. The cook-off is currently capped at 10 entrants – so don’t wait!
A compulsory competitor briefing will be held at the Camp Oven Cooking Area at 7:00am on Saturday.
No fires may be lit until the briefing has concluded.
Competition Format
The cook-off consists of three components, each contributing to the overall score.
All components are optional — entrants may cook one, two, or all three components at their discretion.
Each entrant will receive a competitors gift, with sponsored prizes awarded to the Overall Winner and Runner-Up.
Scoring & Awards
The overall winner will be determined by the combined total score across all components entered.
The entrant with the highest overall score will be declared the winner; the entrant with the second-highest score will be named runner-up.
Judging will take place at 1:00pm sharp, followed by the presentation of prizes to the overall winner and runner-up.
In the event of a tie, judges will confer and either:
Award an additional deciding point to one entrant, or
Where agreed by the competitors, split or share the prize.
Competition Components
Component 1: Bushman’s Billy Tea – up to 15 points
Component 2: Camp Oven Damper (sweet or savory) – up to 35 points
Component 3: Camp Oven Stew – up to 100 points
Judging Criteria
Judging and point allocation will be based on:
Bonus points will be awarded to entrants who embrace the spirit of the drover’s cook.
Judges’ decisions are final.
Sponsor prizes may be subject to change and will be awarded at the conclusion of judging.
Cooking Requirements
All entries must be cooked onsite at the event using one of the designated cooking points.
Cooking must be done using a camp oven or Dutch oven.
Billy Tea must be brewed in a traditional billy.
Billy Tea must be strained — for insurance purposes and safety, swinging the billy is not permitted.
Fire & Equipment
Each entrant will be allocated a campfire area and is solely responsible for managing their fire.
Firewood will be supplied, however entrants may bring their own if preferred.
A communal fire will be available for additional coals if required.
Helpers
Entrants may have up to two helpers to assist with preparation in the designated preparation area.
Only the entrant may cook.
Entrants under 17 years must have an adult helper present. The adult helper may enter the cooking area for supervision only and must not assist with cooking.
Safety & Hygiene
Enclosed footwear must be worn at all times in the cooking and preparation areas. Thongs and sandals are not permitted.
Entrants must maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the competition.
Organisers have the final say on all safety matters. Entrants are responsible for their own safety and that of their helpers, taste testers, and onlookers within the preparation and cooking areas.
Ingredients
Entrants are required to supply their own ingredients.
To honor the tradition of the drover’s cook, competitors are asked to avoid the use of commercial pre-packaged foods, such as gravy powders, pre-mixed cake or dough mixes, pastry, and similar products. If you are unsure whether an item is appropriate, please ask an official.
The use of modern cooking aids and appliances is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, laser thermometers, food processors, electric mixers (e.g. Mix Masters), or similar devices.
Competitors are encouraged to present their food in true “stock camp” or “drover’s camp” style, using items such as enamel plates and mugs, traditional cutlery, and rustic serving ware.
The use of trivets, cake tins, baking paper, and foil is permitted. Modern items such as silicone moulds are not allowed.
Competitors must not sell or make a profit from any food prepared or cooked onsite during the competition.
Interaction with the crowd is strongly encouraged. Competitors may offer taste tests of their cooking if they wish, provided appropriate hygiene and safety practices are followed at all times.
KGHR reserves the right to capture photography and videography during the event. These images and recordings may be used for future promotional purposes, including on KGHR’s website and social media platforms.
An entry fee of $5 per entrant is payable upon registration via Trybooking to secure your fire pit. The cook-off is currently capped at 10 entries so be quick. If you book and change your mind, please advise us ASAP so we can make the spot available to someone else.
To enter the camp oven cook-off you will need to complete a waiver form by clicking on the button below, then download the form, complete it, and email it to kilkivangreathorseride@gmail.com
PROUDLY BOUGHT TO YOU BY:
Kilkivan Great Horse Ride & Kilkivan Country Festival is an annual event held in Kilkivan, South-East Queensland. The event is organised by the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride Inc., a not-for-profit community organisation run by volunteers.
PO Box 52
Kilkivan Queensland 4600