By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO–Middle school and high school students from across Shelby County competed Friday, Nov. 14 in the Shelby County Cook-Off held on the campus of the University of Montevallo.

The Alfa Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Cattlewomen’s Foundation sponsored the cook-off where students could show off their cooking skills by making dishes from beef, poultry or dairy.

Retired Shelby County High School family and consumer science teacher Frances Schofield has been a part of the event since the year 2000 when it was started.

“There are about 50 students here today from various Shelby County middle and high schools,” said Schofield. “My favorite part of the cook-off is that kids get the opportunity to visit with other students from different schools and they get to grow in their public speaking skills.”

The students met in the morning at the Broun Building on the campus of UM where they began preparing their dishes where they would eventually be judged later in the day.

There were first, second and third place winners and the first place winners in the beef competition will have a chance to compete in Montgomery sometime in January for a $500 prize.