Two local 4-H members compete in national cook-off

  • Tori Nelms of North Rock Creek, left, and Madison Maddox of Dale represented Oklahoma 4-H in the "Great American Seafood Cookoff: 4-H Edition" on July 26 in New Orleans, LA, and took fourth place with their Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Sweet Potato Purée and Peach Andouille Sausage Maque Choux, using Oklahoma-sourced ingredients. Over the past year, they have competed in other 4-H cooking contests to earn their place at the seafood competition. Photo provided
    Tori Nelms of North Rock Creek, left, and Madison Maddox of Dale represented Oklahoma 4-H in the "Great American Seafood Cookoff: 4-H Edition" on July 26 in New Orleans, LA, and took fourth place with their Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Sweet Potato Purée and Peach Andouille Sausage Maque Choux, using Oklahoma-sourced ingredients. Over the past year, they have competed in other 4-H cooking contests to earn their place at the seafood competition. Photo provided
  • Madison Maddox of Dale, left, and Tori Nelms of North Rock Creek represented Oklahoma 4-H in the "Great American Seafood Cookoff: 4-H Edition" on July 26 in New Orleans, LA, and took fourth place with their Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Sweet Potato Purée and Peach Andouille Sausage Maque Choux, using Oklahoma-sourced ingredients. Photo provided
    Madison Maddox of Dale, left, and Tori Nelms of North Rock Creek represented Oklahoma 4-H in the "Great American Seafood Cookoff: 4-H Edition" on July 26 in New Orleans, LA, and took fourth place with their Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Sweet Potato Purée and Peach Andouille Sausage Maque Choux, using Oklahoma-sourced ingredients. Photo provided
  • Madison Maddox of Dale, left, and Tori Nelms of North Rock Creek compete on the "Great American Seafood Cookoff: 4-H Edition" TV show on July 26 in New Orleans, LA, and took fourth place with their Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Sweet Potato Purée and Peach Andouille Sausage Maque Choux, using Oklahoma-sourced ingredients. Photo provided
    Madison Maddox of Dale, left, and Tori Nelms of North Rock Creek compete on the "Great American Seafood Cookoff: 4-H Edition" TV show on July 26 in New Orleans, LA, and took fourth place with their Pecan-Crusted Catfish with Sweet Potato Purée and Peach Andouille Sausage Maque Choux, using Oklahoma-sourced ingredients. Photo provided

    By SONYA McDANIEL

    FCS Educator & CED, Pottawatomie County OSU Extension

    After a year of competing in the 4-H Food Showdown program, Tori Nelms of North Rock Creek and Madison Maddox of Dale achieved their goal of competing in the Great American Seafood Cookoff: 4-H Edition held July 26, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

    The team earned their place at the national competition by winning at the coun…