41st Auxiliary sponsored All American Certified Angus Beef® Cook Off

The Entry deadline is May 25 to coincide with contest deadline for other NJAA contests. Late entries are not accepted.
Entry Form
National Junior Angus Show, July 2, 2024, Madison, WI

A lot has certainly changed since 1983 under the trees on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines when 9 NJAA teams, 3 Adults and 34 contestants participated in the "Great Ground Round Cook Off". In 1985, the products expanded to include other cuts in the "Big Beef Round Up" in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1988, a partnership with Certified Angus Beef began and the Auxiliary Sponsored All American Certified Angus Beef Cook Off was born!

The Cook Off was the first non- showring educational contest at the National Jr Angus Show and it continues to be a popular team competition.

Cooks of all ages should bring their chef's hats, aprons, beef recipes, and flair for preparation to the Certified Angus Beef® Cook-Off this summer. The event, sponsored jointly by the American Angus Auxiliary, National Jr. Angus Association, American Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC, is held annually during the National Jr. Angus Show.

All contestants must be members of the NJAA and each team must consist of two to six members of a state junior Angus association.

There will be steaks, roasts, and other beef item categories. In each category there with be Junior, Intermediate and Senior age divisions. See specific rules in Rules and Guidelines.

The cook-off is judged by a panel of three judges. Each judge scores and ranks teams individually. Each team is scored in showmanship (the skit/presentation) and recipe. Using their combined recipe and showmanship score the teams are ranked by each judge to determine rankings. Rankins are used to determine the overall placings in each category/division.

First through third place awards will be given in each category and age divisions. First place winners in showmanship and recipe will be recognized in each category and age division. The champion team will be awarded in each category. The champion team in each category will compete for the Black Kettle Award. The 1st place Intermediate steak team will be awarded the Pat Grote LEAD Award. The overall top ranked Junior team will be awarded the Ardyce's Aprons award.

The event is educational, competitive, and fun! Among junior teams in particular, the cook-off has fostered a cooperative spirit. The cook-off is an excellent way to educate and entertain non-participants, while promoting the ultimate end-product- the Certified Angus Beef® brand.

Rules and Guidelines | Entry Form | Sample Score Sheet

View a sampling of 2022 Cook-Off Videos by clicking here.


2024 Information and Entry Information

Information on completing Entries.

  • The parent, advisor or adult that is coordinating the team and will be there on contest day should be the one that submits that entry-so that we have the correct contact information for that team.
  • After your form is completed and correctly submitted an automated confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided. The confirmation will include the information you submitted, please keep a copy of it your records. Please double check to make sure your email is correct before submitting! DO NOT put more than 1 email address. You may need to check your junk/spam folder for confirmation.
  • Teams must have at least 2 members and no more than 6. No exceptions. All members must be members of the NJAA
  • Name, City/State, NJAA member code and date of birth must be submitted for each team member with entry.
  • Tee Shirt sizes for all team members must be included with the entry- please check with all team members for the correct size before submitting the entry. Shirts are unisex sizes and available in youth and adult sizes. Please check t-shirt sizes prior to submitting- substitute sizes may not be available at the contest.

2024 Categories/Cuts

There are 3 categories to choose from :

  1. STEAK - Baseball Steak (Sirloin) - 4 steaks. https://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/cuts/Sirloin-Filet
  2. ROAST -Chuck Flap, approx.2- 3 pounds. https://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/cuts/Chuck-Flap
  3. OTHER" CAB Frankfurters - 6 franks Please see specific rules for this category below.

OTHER 2024- In the other category each team will receive 6 CAB Frankfurters . In this category the franks and complete entry must be prepared entirely outdoors on a grill , camp stove, flat top, propane burner. Grills will be provided OR bring your own. You must furnish any other outdoor cooking method - flat tops, black iron on the grill, camp stove, propane cooker - no electric appliances.) No electric appliances can be used in this category.

Age Divisions and Teams

  • 3 age divisions in each category- Junior 8-13, Intermediate 14-17, Senior 18-21 - AGES as of 1/1/2024
  • A state may combine age groups to form a team- however the team must be entered into the age division of the oldest team member. Example a combined age group team with a 10-year-old, a 11-year-old and a 18 year old must compete in the Senior Division.

A state may NOT enter more than 1 team in each category and each age division. Up to 9 teams per state.

  • If a state does not have enough members to field a team - states may join together to form a team. However, none of the "joined" /combined states are eligible to have another team in the same age division and category.
  • Team member substitutions /deletions/additions are allowed up until the day before the contest.

NO entries will be accepted after May 25 11:59 pm CST. Must use this form.

Cook off will provide grills- All other appliances must be provided by team-must limit electric small appliances to no more than two. NO microwave, stove-top or oven available. ELECTRICITY is limited to only 1 electric appliance per team! The use of Grills for your CAB is strongly encouraged.

RECIPE name and complete list of ingredients and instructions must be submitted on the online entry form. TIP: type your recipe in a word document so that you can easily be copied and pasted into the entry form.


Cookbooks and Winning Recipes

2023 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 40th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2022 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 39th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2021 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 38th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2019 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 36th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2018 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 35th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2017 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 34th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2016 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 33rd Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2015 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 32nd Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2014 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 31st Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2013 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 30th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2012 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 29th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2011 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 28th Annual Cook-Off.pdf
Includes these delicious recipes: Cheesy Balsamic Steaks; Bully-Free Beef Sandwiches; All-American Roast; Sassy Skirt Steak with Blackberry Corncakes and Vidalia® Onion Jam; Fiesta Fajita Salad.

2010 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 27th Annual Cook-Off.pdf
Includes these delicious recipes: Grilled Ribeye Steak with Onion Blue Cheese Sauce; Gold Rush Roast; Angus Jalapeño Sliders.

2009 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 26th Annual Cook-Off.pdf
Includes these delicious recipes: Old-Fashioned Southern Beef Brisket with Browned Potatoes; Grandma Sylvia's Barbecue Beef Sandwiches; Cola Roast; CAB® Holiday Brisket with Red Cabbage and Creamy Mustard Sauce; Absolutely Sensational Roast; Creole Roast Beef for Po' Boys; College Boy Brisket; Southern Sweet Brisket; Roast Dip Sandwiches; Classic Coca-Cola® Barbecue Beef; Beef Honey Teriyaki Stir Fry; Lime-Grilled Steak and Shrimp Kabobs; CAB Steak Tacos with Corn Relish; Blackened Steak and Horseradish Cream; Grilled Steaks with Peppery Peach Salsa; Bleu Cheese Filets; CAB Tenderloin Steaks with Morel Mushroom Cream Sauce; Bluegrass Country Fried Steak; Louisiana "Sweet Southern" Filets; Southwestern Steak Sandwiches; Showdown Filets; Peppercorn Steaks with Mustard Sauce; Nothing Better Spicy Beef Filets; Kentucky Fried Steak; CAB® Steak with Grandma's Peppercorn Gravy Sauce; Minnesota Grilled Ribeyes; The Honeymooners Night on the Town Filet; Ribeye Steaks with Cumin-Lime Butter; Sensational Sirloin Strips; Grilled Steaks Balsamico; Hunter's Choice Casserole; Sante Fe Soup; Beef Ravioli; Beef Jambalaya; All For One Tortellini Bake; Ranch Chili; CAB® Roast Beef Pita; Beef Rouladen; Poor Man's Philly; NOLA-style Muffuletta.

2008 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 25th Annual Cook-Off.pdf

2007 Cook-Off Cookbook

The 24th Annual Cook-Off.pdf
Includes all competitions: Fresh Meat, Heat-and-Serve and Deli Meat. Thank you to all of our Friends of the Black Kettle!

2006 Cook-Off Cookbook

Fresh-Meat Division.pdf
Tigger's Elegant CAB® Prime Rib Roast; Zesty Steak Empanada; Pit Crew Pasta; Texas Taco Soup; Beef Chuck Stew; Chipotle Steak; Western Way Ribeye; Peppered Ribeye Steaks; Supremette's Strip Steak; Aunt Bee's Filet of Beef; CAB Kabobs with Vegetables; Flat-Iron Steak Supreme; Savory Sirloin Strips; Pepperrock Stuffed Beef Filets; Las Vegas Strip Steak...

Quick-N-Easy Division.pdf
Beans for Real Cowboys; Keep on Truckin' Quick-N-Easy Panini Sandwiches; "Priceless" Philly Beef 'n' Cheese Sandwich; Baked Beef Chimichangas; Cruella's Wickedly Delicious Prim Rib Dinner with Blazin' Sauce; Inside-Out Bacon Cheeseburgers; All-American CAB® Sports Dog; CAB Hot Beef Sandwich; Holiday CAB® Prime Rib with Mushroom Sauce; Quick & Easy Pulled Beef...

Deli Meats Division.pdf
Beefy Pepper Cheese Rolls; Speedy Toasted CAB Sandwich; Western Wrap; Super-Quick Beef Taco Soup; CAB Deli Wrap; CAB Orange Barrel Hoagies; Nebraska Beef Taco Wraps; Beef Taco Wraps Oklahoma Style; Cajun Toast Beef with Pasta & Veggies...

CAB® Cook-off Winners

Read more about the CAB Cook-off winners in these Angus Journal articles highlighting the people behind the recipes.