Break out your grandma's old recipes, we're having a mashed potato cook off

The cook off will be held at the beautiful hilltop Unity Church of Wimberley. The 43-acre grounds are gorgeous, with a sweeping view of the surrounding hills, nature trails, a sacred labyrinth, junior olympic size pool and tennis courts

Learn more about this first-of-a-kind Texas event in Wimberley by emailing potato@unityofwimberley.com or visit the church web site. Click here for an entry form and contest rules.

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You ask, "Who the heck ever heard of a mashed potato cook off in Texas!?" Barbecue, chili, and craw fish boils are the norm around here. But that's okay. This cook off event certainly qualifies as "a first," and falls in with the local "Keep Wimberley Weirder" theme. And since it doesn't appear to have any overt political agendas attached to it, we're giving it two thumbs up: gastronomically uplifting and some good community fun. Also worth noting are the three outstanding personalities who will serve as cook off judges: Linda Allen of Linda's Fine Foods, Dave Lewis of Juan Enrique's and Hays County Judge Liz Sumter. A $100 cash prize will be awarded to the best of show dish. Musical entertainment and local food vendors will be on hand to add some extra flavor. The cook off will be held at the beautiful hilltop Unity Church, about 2 miles east of town off FM 3237. Take the Red Hawk Rd exit. Stay to your left, go over the low water bridge, and up the hill. The 43-acre grounds are gorgeous. A great setting for a cook off, with a sweeping view of the surrounding hills, nature trails, a sacred labyrinth, junior olympic size pool and tennis courts. The place has an interesting and storied history. It once was a part of a large ranch owned by the Moody family of Galveston. So bring along your family and your best mashed potato dish, with a little extra for the tasters. Play a game of tennis or take a tour. We are informed this is a "shine only" event. It will be rescheduled in the event of rain. Gates open at 10 a.m. Judging starts at 12 noon. Call Unity at 512.847.6587 for more details.