Six Teams Earn 1st-Place Trophies in ‘Cookin’ Cats’ at ASU Mid-South

The West Memphis Sizzlers won two events, and the Delta Porkers and Treemendous Fryers won one apiece and placed in four categories overall in the inaugural “Cookin’ Cats” competition at Arkansas State University Mid-South.

Hook ’Em & Cook ’Em, the Alley Cats, and Temporary Insanity also claimed division victories in the Oct. 3 event sponsored by CenterPoint Energy Arkansas.

The West Memphis Sizzlers prevailed in the Anything Fried and People’s Choice competitions. The Delta Porkers, also of West Memphis, won the Hush Puppies event, and the hometown Treemendous Fryers captured the Catfish Appetizer competition.

Hook ’Em & Cook ’Em, a West Memphis-based team, won the Fried Catfish division, and the Alley Cats of Memphis took the Anything Catfish first-place trophy. Temporary Insanity of Marion won the Catfish Tacos contest.

The Sizzlers placed second in Fried Catfish, and the Porkers placed second in Catfish Tacos and Anything Catfish and third in Fried Catfish. The Fryers earned a second-place award in Hush Puppies and third-place honors in Anything Catfish and Anything Fried.

Cameron Williamson of Temporary Insanity (sponsored by LSI Staffing), said the group enjoyed its first competition as a team.

“We were a little nervous, but the friendly staff, volunteers, and organizers made the experience quite welcoming. We all had an amazing time participating and agreed we’ll definitely participate again next year. Probably our best highlight was seeing the long line of smiling faces during the People’s Choice category.”

Lucie Brackin of the Alley Cats (sponsored by The Landers Firm PLC of Memphis) echoed Williamson’s sentiments.

“Despite the cold and windy weather, the ‘Alley Cats’ had a lot of fun at the first annual ASU Mid-South Catfish Cooking Contest,” she said. “We enjoyed the different categories that we could enter and were certainly proud that our team won the ‘Anything Catfish’ category. The hand-made first-place trophy made by the students at ASU Mid-South is going to be proudly displayed when we enter the contest again next year.”

Steve Sample of Hook ’Em & Cook ’Em said his team “had a great time at the catfish cook-off. It was a really great event, and we can’t wait until next year to defend our title.”

“We really enjoyed the contest; the atmosphere was fantastic,” added Chris Billups of Delta Porkers. “As far as the cooking experience, it was great. All in all it was a great time, and we will definitely be returning for next year’s event.”

Jason McCollum of Treemendous Fryers said his team “had a blast.”

The cooking event concluded a full day of family fun, recreation, and competition on the ASU Mid-South campus. Activities included the Fourth Annual Greyhound 5k Run/Walk and Pup Dash (sponsored by Southland Park Gaming and Racing for the fourth consecutive year), Wiffle® Ball tournament, Cornhole competition, live music (Albert King Jr. Band and The Players Band), an inflatables park, and numerous vendors. The Army National Guard also participated.

In the Wiffle Ball battle, Adam Foster, Tyler Powell, and Anthony Brown of the Wiffleballers defeated Chris Voles, Terry Conlee, and Caden Conlee of CTC to take the title.

In other event-related activities, Dennis Cameron of Crawfordsville won a drawing for a Yeti cooler donated by the new Ace Hardware scheduled to open soon in Marion, and Samantha Daniels won the drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the Double J West Smokehouse and Saloon of West Memphis.