30 Oct 2022 Chocolate Gravy contest is highlight of Searcy’s Holiday of Lights

Posted at 6:49 PMh in Features by

By Colleen Holt

Chocolate, Christmas and family traditions are the perfect ingredients for creating a recipe that can bake up holiday happiness!

In November and December, the city of Searcy hosts a variety of events called the Holiday of Lights. One of the most delicious events is the World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff, which is in its second year in 2022. Organizer Kristi Thurmon of Searcy said she had the idea several years ago to create some sort of cookoff to be held at the holiday events in her hometown. “Over the years, I had been to several cookoffs and food festivals around the state and thought that Searcy needed one. I knew we needed something completely unique to differentiate ourselves,” she said.

In her initial brainstorming about a possible cookoff, Thurmon thought back to a Christmastime treat from her childhood: eating her mother’s chocolate gravy. As a banker and publisher of OnlyinArk.com — a website produced by First Security Bank — Thurmon published a story featuring biscuits and chocolate gravy. This article became one of the most successful articles published on the website in terms of readership. The article’s success solidified her thought that a chocolate gravy cookoff could be a great hit.

“It took a few years to get the cookoff outlined, but last year we had our first event,” she said. In spite of doubts as to its possible success, people from all over the state came to cook and to taste.”

The second annual World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff will be held during the Holiday of Lights Jolly Jubilee on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. on the east side of the White County Courthouse Square. The presenting sponsor is First Security Bank and onlyinark.com; the milk sponsor is Sowell’s Furniture; the biscuit sponsor is Pillsbury; and the Holiday of Lights presenting sponsor is the Searcy A&P Commission. The Jolly Jubilee also traditionally includes a craft fair, games and activities for kids, a 5K, food trucks and a visit from Santa Claus, who reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas” from the courthouse balcony. 

The contest has three categories with one winner for each: amateur, professional and people’s choice. The winners of each category will win $500. The cost to enter the cookoff is only $10. “Last year, we had 21 contestants from 16 zip codes. We had 275 tickets to sell, and they were sold out,” Thurmon said. This year, they plan to have 400 to 500 tickets for sale and hope to have 40 contestants. Tickets to sample the gravy and vote for your favorites are $5 in advance and $7 the day of the event. You can enter the contest and buy tickets at searcyholidayoflights.com or at First Security Bank in downtown Searcy.

This year’s judges include Kevin Shalin, food blogger of The Mighty Rib; Tommy Centola, a retired local chef and cookbook author; and Stephanie Buckley, owner of Petit Jean Coffeehouse. Also on schedule to be a judge is the returning amateur champion, Matt Cleveland.              

Thurmon said the chocolate gravy cookoff is special because it dispels the myth that “all gravy is the same.” She said the contest offerings had a variety of textures and tastes. One contestant put a pat of butter directly on his biscuits before adding the hot gravy, and another contestant used cinnamon and pecans as a garnish. “All the gravies tasted a little different,” she said.

Jerry Belew (from left), Teresa Belew and Jonathan Nettles won the People’s Choice award at the first Chocolate Gravy Competition held in 2021 as part of Searcy’s annual Holiday of Lights events, which begin in early November and last until the end of December.

This could be particularly true for the gravy that won the People’s Choice award last year. Jerry and Teresa Belew and Jonathan and Kerri Nettles of Central Arkansas competed as “The Pearl Hawk Family” with Granny Hawk’s Chocolate Gravy recipe. Teresa said her grandmother, Pearl Hawk, is the creator of the award-winning recipe, which has been passed down through her family. “Granny Hawk taught us all how to make chocolate gravy,” said Teresa.

Christmastime for this family has traditionally included the special treat of indulging in a meal of Granny Hawk’s chocolate gravy. Now, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren continue this tradition. Not only do they remember Granny Hawk, but they also remember Teresa’s mother, who was born on Christmas Eve. This tie to the December holidays was a contributing factor to the family’s participation in the Christmas festivities in Searcy. She said her son, Jonathan, thought it would be fun for two generations to compete. “He said, ‘Mom, we ought to do this.’ It was fun for all of us.”

Teresa was surprised at how many people asked for the recipe, which was not released and is a heavily guarded secret. “We stayed true to Granny Hawk’s recipe. She never measured; she just knew how to do it.” The recipe that is being passed down through the family was officially finalized after a day of Teresa helping Granny Hawk make gravy and noting the measurements. “After that, we all agreed that’s how the recipe would be,” she said. “It’s not rocket science, but it’s Granny Hawk science. She uses a different technique that we don’t share. That’s the secret in the sauce.” Teresa added that there are wonderful recipes for chocolate gravy available online, and they can be adjusted to suit your taste.

A funny story in the family comes from Teresa’s grandfather, who always called chocolate gravy “Kid Bait.” “He didn’t like chocolate gravy but said you could always catch the kids with chocolate gravy,” she laughed. Granny Hawk cooked both at home and at the school in Clover Bend (Lawrence County). When she became a widow, she still had nine of her 11 children at home.

She rode the school bus to Clover Bend each day and cooked at the school. “Granny Hawk was a sweet lady who just loved the Lord, loved her kids, loved all the kids. I hope we can continue some of her traditions, if not all of them.”