Bourke Cook-off. David Mathews is Grand Smoking Champion

Grand Smoking Champion David Mathews with Cook Off supremo Ernie Delany. Photo: Beverley Callow

Story by Beverley Callow and Ian Cole

The smell of wood smoke and slow-cooked meat filled the Port of Bourke Hotel’s beer garden on Saturday as competitors loaded up their smokers and camp ovens for the fourth Bourke Butchery Smoking and Camp Oven Cook-Off.

From before dawn, cooks carefully built their fires and watched over whole lambs, ribs and roasts of beef, lamb, pork and chicken became the stars on a family day of fires and fun that Bourke had been eagerly awaiting.

More than $4,000 in prize money and trophies were on the chopping block, with competitors vying for honours in both the smoking and camp oven divisions before the award presentation ending in the overall Champion Smoker and Champion Camp Oven titles were announced.

Among those enjoying the feast was Bourke Mayor Lachlan Ford, who sampled the lamb prepared by his son, while competitors including Ryan Mason from Warren and James Cleasby from Narromine spent the day watching the camp oven, swapping cooking tips and checking their meat with the patience that low-and-slow cooking demands.

Organiser Ernie Delany thanked the many sponsors, volunteers and supporters who helped stage the event, along with Tiffanie and Liam from the Port of Bourke Hotel for once again hosting the successful cook-off.

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