Six years ago Mother Earth Brewing partnered with G.I. Joe’s Living Military History Museum to support the efforts of this museum to honor veterans, past and present. On Saturday, March 14, Mother Earth is sponsoring the 6th Annual Stew & Brew.

From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. patrons can pay $10, a fee that entitles each person to unlimited fish stew samples – and one complimentary Mother Earth beer. As in years past, the event will be held in the large parking lot behind Mother Earth Brewing.

But the Stew & Brew is more than just a day to sample fish stew. This event has emerged as a fierce competition for bragging rights among fish stew partisans. So far, 12 teams have signed up to cook in the competition, but other teams are welcome to sign up until G.I. Joe’s closes at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 13.

The rules are simple. This classic fish stew cook off allows only fish – no other seafood. Cooking sites are 10 by 10 in the rear parking area of Mother Earth. Cook teams consist of four members with a head cook. Teams may do some prep work off-site, but all cooking must be done at the team’s designated cooking site. Set-up and cooking begins at 8 a.m. sharp.

Contestants must bring all items needed for cooking, including tables, tents, utensils – and ingredients needed to prepare five to six gallons of fish stew. All fish stew entries must be ready for judging when runners come by the cooking site at 11:45 a.m. The staff at G.I. Joe’s will provide the judging bowls.

Five judges will taste the samples and award a First Place ($150), Second Place ($75), and Third Place ($25). In addition to the official judges, those who pay to sample the variety of fish stews will choose the People’s Choice John Burton Jr. Award of Excellence ($200) and Best Showmanship of Booth ($100).  

If you have the definitive recipe for Down East Fish Stew, I urge you to enter the competition and pit your skills against the other teams.

Fish stew is an outstanding choice for this competition. After all, fish stew was born along the banks of the Neuse River. Years ago, people along the Neuse used what they caught in their nets to create the tasty dish that has become the heart of many eastern North Carolina gatherings. I had never heard of – much less tasted – fish stew until I moved to Kinston in 1971. Since then, I have had the privilege of enjoying stews made from a variety of recipes.

Even more important than the competition for cash and bragging rights is the cause behind the event. G.I. Joe’s exists to recognize those, past and present, who put themselves on the line to protect our liberty. The overall mission of this museum is to honor veterans by paying them the respect they deserve. G.I. Joe’s also provides a place where veterans can gather to share memories. Community can stop by to receive a better understanding of the cost of preserving our freedom.

One hundred percent of Saturday’s Stew & Brew will benefit G.I. Joe’s Museum.

Put Saturday on your calendar. Come and eat samples of fish stew to your heart’s ad palate’s content. For the first time, fish stew will be available for purchase in quantity after the competition and lunch sampling time is over.