This year, the Rowan County Fair is looking for not only fair participants, but also young and aspiring cooks.

The fair will host its first ever “Fair Burger Throw Down.” This event is open to youth ages 9-18 who enjoy cooking.

Each participant will prepare a burger, vegetable side dish and dessert using a charcoal grill.  Participants will be given 90 minutes to create their dish and can choose one assistant to serve as their sous chef during the competition.

Once dishes are completed, they will be judged on presentation, taste and creativity.

Participants will be asked to observe safe food handling procedures while cooking and will be provided with thermometers to ensure that the correct internal temperature of their burger has been reached.

Additionally, participants must have their utensils properly sanitized at the Rowan County Extension Office by Wednesday, Sept. 30. Items will be kept and delivered to participants on the day of competition.

All burgers will be different, and creativity is highly encouraged. Participants are allowed to bring spices and condiments to make their burger unique and stand out. The spices and condiments should be new and unopened.

There is a $20 entry fee due at the time of registration. Items that will be provided include ground meat, basic ingredients (salt and pepper), utensils, gloves, cutting boards, etc. This will be an open competition. The public is invited to watch and cheer on their favorite contestant.

So, if you are a youngster between the ages of 9-18 who loves to cook, this event is for you.  Check-in begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2. The competition will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Dishes will be judged at 8 p.m., and prizes will be given to the top three individuals. There is a maximum of five contestants. The deadline for entries is Friday, Sept. 18.

For more information on the “Fair Burger Throw Down,” visit our website at: http://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/09/fair-burger-throw-down-2/.

Toi N. Degree, family and consumer education agent, Rowan County Cooperative Extension; 704-216-8970; toi_degree@ncsu.edu)