Chuck Wagon Cookoff Weekend & Competition – 2023

Congratulations to our 2023 Chuck Wagon Cookoff winners!

Pigeon Forge invites Western lifestyle enthusiasts, foodies and those in search of a hearty meal to the Chuck Wagon Cookoff weekend.

This 3-day event includes an intimate dinner concert, cowboy church and our annual cookoff competition!

Chuck wagons will gather at Clabough’s Campground for this one-of-a-kind outdoor cooking event. Long before today’s food truck craze treated foodies to impromptu kitchens on wheels, early American chuck wagons fed hungry cowboys on the open prairies during cattle drives. Chuck wagon cooks, or cookies, as they are known, rely on simple ingredients to guide their menus and fire to power their ovens.

Chuck wagon cook-offs aid in the preservation of cattle drive trail days as well as ensuring the authentic reproduction of the mobile kitchens. The competition includes cash prizes for most authentic wagon and awards in various food categories, including meat, potatoes, bread, beans and dessert. All food items must be prepared onsite and using ingredients provided to the cooking teams. Condiments may be used at the cook’s discretion. Prohibited ingredients are announced prior to the competition.

Friday, March 3 – Intimate Evening Dinner Concert

Join us for an intimate dinner and performance from Andy Nelson and Brenn Hill.

Location: Mama’s Farmhouse

Address: 208 Pickel Street

Time: 6 p.m.

Tickets: $50 (tax inclusive)

Saturday, March 4 – Chuck Wagon Cookoff Competition

Kids and adults of all ages can enjoy old-time Western activities with Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch as well as interacting with the Sisters on the Fly Cowgirl Caravan during our free Buckaroo roundup. In addition, we’ll have free tent entertainment from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. featuring Western poetry and music featuring Andy Nelson, Brenn Hill and Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch. And you won’t want to miss our Chuck Wagon Cookoff luncheon and competition.

Location: Clabough’s Campground

Address: 405 Wears Valley Road (parking also available at Wear Farm Park, located at 623 Wears Valley Road)

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chuck Wagon Luncheon: High Noon

Luncheon Tickets: $15 (tax inclusive)

Sunday, March 5 – Chuck Wagon Breakfast & Cowboy Church at Stages West

Join us at Stages West for a cowboy-style breakfast. Following the Chuck Wagon Breakfast, be sure to stay and visit as we have church the cowboy way!

Location: Stages West

Address: 2765 Parkway

Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Cost: $5 (tax inclusive)

Cowboy Church: 10:30 a.m.