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Backwoods Cooking Competition& Training Day, 2006

This year’s backwoods cooking competition and training day will take place at Liz Swain’s woodland on the north side of Horsted
Lane, Isfield on Sunday 10th September, from 10:00am until 3:00pm.  It is open to all Scout Troops within Ashdown District.The event comprises a competition, for teams of two Scouts, and a separate training session, for younger Scouts who wish to
learn the basics or improve their existing skills.  There is no charge for either category.
Competition Rules
1.	the event is open to teams of 2 Scouts.
2.	the scouts must be less than 14 years of age on the day of the competition.
3.	each team must cook a balanced, two course meal sufficient for two people, comprising:
a.	A hot main course of meat (e.g. a chop, chicken breast or fish – NOT sausages, burgers etc. OR vegetarian alternative),
          plus one hot vegetable and a source of hot carbohydrates; and
b.	A hot sweet course (e.g. cooked fruit of any kind).
4.	each team must also prepare and cook a twist.
5.	each team must provide their own food, hygienically wrapped, together with a menu to hand in at the start.
          Water will be provided on site.
6.	all food is to be prepared and cooked at the competition (e.g. bring the separate ingredients for the twist,
          rather than pre-prepared dough).7.	the food is to be cooked over a wood fire (using only wood collected at the site).8.	all food must be ready to eat between 1:00 and 2:00pm and ALL FOOD MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE JUDGES FOR MARKING
          BEFORE IT IS EATEN! (each course may be presented separately).
9.	any cooking utensils, other than items included on the list below, must be made from natural materials by the
          teams at the competition.
10.	each team is required to bring with them the following items (and no others):
a.	Two penknives with folding blades (not flick-knives, sheath knives or kitchen knives);
b.	Two forks (for eating the food with after it has been judged, not for anything else);
c.	Aluminium foil (if required for preparing sauces etc, but not for cooking in);
d.	A small (<10cm) box of natural tinder gathered by the Scouts in advance;
e.	Paper, newspaper, leaves etc. (for cooking in, if required, not for fire lighting);
f.	A clean sheet of polythene  (for use as a food preparation surface);
g.	1 box of matches;
h.	1 small water carrier;
i.	1 hand axe and 1 bow saw (if required, by those who are judged by their leaders to be competent in their use).
The competition will be judged by members of the Ashdown District Scout Fellowship.  Points will be awarded for the
skills demonstrated on the day (wood gathering, fire lighting, cooking, hygiene and tidiness) and for the quality
and originality of the completed meals. Training Session
Several leaders will be on hand to run a separate training session at the same time as the competition.
Those taking part should bring with them all the items listed above for those doing the competition,
but the leaders will explain how the food can be prepared and cooked ‘backwoods’ style.
Clothing
All those taking part should wear old clothes appropriate to the weather conditions on the day, and should have full waterproofs,
in case it rains.  Hiking boots should be worn, if possible (and only those who do will be allowed to use axes or bow saws).Uniform is NOT required.