Chef cooking photo by Eiliv Aceron on unsplash.com

The Big Sandy Community Resource Center will host the Indigenous Cooking Contest Friday, celebrating Native American culture, culinary traditions and sustainability in honor of Native American Heritage Month.

The contest — taking place at the Big Sandy Rancheria Community Resource Center at 33041 Auberry Road, No. 108, in Auberry, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 — is free to attend for contestants and the public.

Entrants will compete for cash prizes of up to $200. Entrants and attendees may pre-register using the QR code below.

Native American and veteran chef Ivan Sam, who co-founded Red Earth Ovens, will lead a demonstration of traditional cooking techniques. Competitions will be held in youth and adult categories, with contestants making use of Indigenous ingredients. A PBS guide to indigenous foods in California lists acorns, prickly pear cactus fruits, pine nuts and more as common cultural ingredients.

The founder of the competition, Elizabeth Perez, a Native American combat veteran and clean energy leader from North Fork Rancheria Mono Indians, hopes the representation of Native cuisine can help inspire California’s food industry.

Despite California’s rich Native American heritage, there are currently no Native-owned restaurants in the state, according to Perez. She hopes to change this by fostering culinary innovation and entrepreneurship.

The day will begin with a traditional prayer and remarks from tribal leaders, followed by opportunities for attendees to share meals and learn about sustainable cooking through the California Food Service Instant Rebate Program.

The event is sponsored by Big Sandy Rancheria and the Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP), alongside partners including GC Green, Native American Energy Services Company and the California Food Service Instant Rebate Program.