Backyard chefs are invited to showcase their culinary skills and compete for the title of grand champion at Iowa Farm Bureau’s 59th annual Cookout Contest Tuesday, Aug. 15 during Farm Bureau Day at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

First priority for competition spots are given to grilling and smoking enthusiasts who are named the overall winner of a county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest. 

Iowans who cannot make a county Cookout Contest qualifying event but are interested in competing in lamb, poultry, turkey or the youth division (ages 13-18) at the Iowa State Fair are encouraged to sign up online.

Each first-place category winner will win $400. The grand champion will take home an additional $1,000 prize. The winner of the youth division will receive $300 and a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association. 

For rules, county contest locations or specialty category sign-ups, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/CookoutContest.