Covington County represented at the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s (AWF) Wild Game Cook-Off State Finals held at AWF’s headquarters in Millbrook Saturday.

The champions of the Covington County cook-off, Team Massey, were the second place winners, and brought home both the People’s Choice Award and Best Presentation Runner-Up Award.

Team members Gary Musgrove, Jeff Owens, Johnny Duggan and Chris Little placed with their Swine-N-Wine.

Musgrove explained the dish that has placed in state competition for two years running.

“It’s wild hog,” he said. “I marinate it about six days in red wine and vinegar, and slow cook it over pecan wood. I put another seasoning on it – I’m not giving away the secret sauce – and then it’s ready to serve.”

This year, he said, he paired it with copper pennies, or glazed carrots.

“I put a brown sugar base on the glazed carrots,” he said.

Musgrove said he and his fellow team members have a great time in the competition.

“It’s just a blast,” he said. “You meet so many different people, and everybody you talk to, is just great.”

He also expressed his appreciation to Massey Automotive for their support of the cooking team.

This championship event is a combination of winners from the more than 300 cook teams from regional events held throughout the year. Eleven teams were there to compete for the State Champion Title, not to mention the $1,000 grand prize that goes along with it!

The winners from the Lake Martin Cook-Off, Chonita’s Cookers, placed first with their Big Buck Flatbread Pizza.

First South Farm Credit of the Limestone County Cook-Off took home third place for their Dirty Quail Gumbo Broth.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation, established by sportsmen in 1935, is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization.