One man cook-off offers five different onions for Payson Golden Onion Days
Michael Cheney prepares his Dutch oven dish as he stands beside his wife, Ashley, both of Santaquin, during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Cheney prepared Dutch oven chicken, spare ribs and potatoes. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Adam Brown, a cook-off judge, takes a bite of a pizza with onions, made by Provo resident Chris Zegarra, during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Pizza with onions, made by Provo resident Chris Zegarra, waits to be taste tested during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Jeff Coons, of Spanish Fork, places his Dutch oven on coals during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Michael Cheney, of Santaquin, prepares his Dutch oven dish during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Cheney prepared Dutch oven chicken, spare ribs and potatoes. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Nicole Johnson, a cook-off judge, waits to taste test dishes during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
John Gilbert, chairman of the Dutch oven cook-off, reacts after tasting a pizza with onions, made by Provo resident Chris Zegarra, during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Jeff Coons, of Spanish Fork, places coals on his Dutch oven during the onion and Dutch oven cook-offs as part of Golden Onion Days held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at the pavilion outside of the Payson Pool. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Chris Zegarra, 27, of Provo, was the only contestant to show up for the Payson Golden Onion Days cook-off Saturday, but one taste of his “pizza with onion” would have most likely brought him the grand prize anyway.
The cook-off, which had more than five applicants, is one of many events happening through Labor Day for the Golden Onion Days celebration.
A Dutch oven cook-off was also part of the culinary competitions at the annual event.
“It’s a wonderful event that brings the community together,” said Mayor William R. Wright. “It invites people to come and join in.”
The event continues throughout Sunday and Monday with a carnival, booth, rides and more at Memorial Park. The Grand Parade is at 10 a.m. Monday along Main Street.
Wright says it’s the small things that keep the family feel of Payson. The cook-off and the Dutch oven cooking contests had judges, judges’ friends and family, and city officials mulling around hoping for more participation.
Zegarra, an engineer by day, didn’t keep his recipe small. There are at least five different onions in the pizza including: shallots, yellow onions, red onions, sweet onions and onion soup. Add Gruyere and mozzarella cheeses and the cooked pizza was shared by three judges — John Gilbert, Adam Brown and Nicole Johnson — and a group of friends that appeared satisfied with Zegarra’s extreme effort.
“We may live in Provo, but you can’t get away from Payson,” said Keshia Bowers, Zegarra’s wife.
Over at the Dutch oven cook-off, Ashley and Mike Cheney were cooking up some their recipe for “BBQ Chicken N’ Country Spare Ribs” with a side dish of “Dutch Oven Tators.”
The rather large and unique potato recipe included 5-10 pounds of gold potatoes; 2 pounds of bacon; 1-2 onions; garlic, herb, black pepper, and sea salt to taste; 1/2 cup of honey; 1 can of Coke and 1 bag of grated cheese.
Started in 1929, Payson Golden Onion Days was originally organized to celebrate the onion harvest and as a homecoming for former residents.
“Our theme this year is ‘Small Town, Big Heart!'” Wright said. “While Payson city is continually growing, we pride ourselves on how that growth does not come at the expense of our values or quality of life. We invite you to grow your families here, as well as establish and grow your businesses here.”
Here’s a look at events taking place Sunday and Monday at Payson Golden Onion Days:
Sunday
7 to 11 a.m. – Flower and Art Show, accepting entries
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Joe Coffee and Espresso Bar Open Mic
2 to 6 p.m. – Flower & Art Show and biggest onion viewing
4 to 10 p.m. – City of Fun carnival, boutique & food in the park
6:30 p.m. – Fireside, featuring KSL TV weatherman Kevin Eubank
8 p.m. – Payson Band concert
Monday
7 a.m. – 5K & 10K races
7 to 9 a.m. – Payson Civic Chorale breakfast
8 a.m. – Flag-raising ceremony
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Friends of Payson Library used book sale
8 a.m. to dusk – Hitman monster truck rides
10 a.m. – Grand parade
19 a.m. to 9 p.m. – City of Fun carnival, boutique & food in the park
Noon – Golden Onion Days Car Show
12:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Flower & Art Show and biggest onion viewing
12:30 p.m. – Payson Band concert
1 to 3 p.m. – Family Onion Fun Children’s Carnival
1:30 p.m. – Payson’s Biggest Onion awards
1:30 to 6 p.m. – Entertainment in the park
3 p.m. – Payson Community Theater’s “Mary Poppins”
7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Badminton tournament