Kanawha Valley Stew Showdown: Official Rules & Event Details
Prepare your best recipe and get ready for a culinary battle!
The Kanawha Valley Stew Showdown is a premier feature of our annual Fall Festival, inviting the best amateur and professional cooks to compete for cash prizes and bragging rights.
This is your chance to showcase your signature stew and see if it has what it takes to win over our official judges and the festival crowd.
Below you will find the official rules, schedule, and participation details for this exciting competition.
--Event Schedule--
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Location: Designated RV Hookup Sites at Kanawha Valley Resort
Competitor Check-In: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Cooking Begins: Immediately after check-in
Cooking Ends: 3:00 PM (Sharp)
People's Choice Tasting: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Official Judging Begins: 4:00 PM
Winner Announcement: Approximately 4:30 PM on the Main Stage
--General Competition Rules & Conditions--
All competitors must adhere to the following rules to ensure a fair and safe event for everyone.
Entry Fee: A non-refundable entry fee of $30 is required for each stew entry. Registration opens on September 25, 2025.
On-Site Cooking: All stews must be cooked from scratch at your designated station during the event.
Prohibited Ingredients: Pre-cooked meats, pre-made broths, or commercial soup bases are strictly prohibited. All ingredients must be brought raw and prepared on-site.
Overnight Competitor Exception: Competitors who reserve and stay overnight at a Kanawha Valley Resort RV hookup site are permitted to pre-cook meats on-site using a grill or smoker before the competition begins. This is a great way to develop deep flavors and get a head start! - All other stew components must be prepared during the official cooking window. +$25 for overnight camping (must purchase tickets online before event!)
Equipment & Supplies: Competitors are responsible for bringing all their own ingredients, cooking equipment (burners, pots, utensils), and sanitation supplies. The resort will provide access to water and electricity at the RV hookup sites.
Judging Categories & Rules
There are two ways to win: the prestigious Judges' Award and the crowd-favorite People's Choice Award.
1. Official Judging Rules (Judges' Award)
A panel of selected judges will conduct a blind tasting to determine the winner.
Submission: Each team must submit their stew in the official 32-ounce competition cup provided at check-in. The cup must be filled to the rim.
No Garnishes: To ensure a fair evaluation of the stew itself, no garnishes, toppings, or other accompaniments are allowed in the official judging cup.
2. People's Choice Award Rules
Festival attendees will vote to determine the People's Choice winner.
Quantity: Competitors must prepare a minimum of two to three (2-3) gallons of stew for public tasting.
Serving: The event will provide 2-ounce sample cups, spoons, and napkins for you to serve the public.
Garnishes: You are encouraged to add garnishes or toppings to your People's Choice samples to enhance flavor and presentation.
Tickets: Festival attendees can purchase a People's Choice ticket for $10, which allows them to sample every stew and cast one vote for their favorite.
Do you have what it takes to be crowned the Stew Showdown Champion?
[Register Below]
You may also like the following events from Kanawha Valley Arena - KVA Resort:
Also check out other
Festivals in Dugspur,
Contests in Dugspur,
Trips & Adventurous Activities in Dugspur.
