NWTF Announces Winners of 2025 Wild Game Recipe Contest
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The results are in! The National Wild Turkey Federation is proud to announce the winners of its 2025 Wild Game Recipe Contest, a celebration of wild-game culinary creativity sponsored by MEAT! Your Maker and Grilla Grills. The grand prize went to Laine McGee for her flavor-packed Jamaican Jerk BBQ Turkey Skewers, a dish that impressed the judges with both its simplicity and flavorful punch.
“These recipes are a perfect example of how hunters turn their harvest into something memorable to share with friends and family,” said Pete Muller, NWTF director of communications. “We congratulate the winners and are thankful for everyone who submitted a recipe and shared a little of their kitchen with us.”
2025 Contest Winners
1st Place – Laine McGee, Jamaican Jerk BBQ Turkey Skewers
2nd Place – Mike Dailey, Venison Philly Cheesesteak Eggrolls
3rd Place – Kayla Jackson, Venison Smashed Tacos
4th Place – Mike Dailey, Canadian Goose Ravioli
5th Place – Jason Thorton, Wild Turkey Tuscan Pasta
Over $3,500 will be awarded. Thanks to MEAT! Your Maker and Grilla Grills, winners took home an impressive array of field-to-fork tools, including grinders, vacuum sealers, knife sets, BBQ gear and the grand prize: a Grilla Chimp 2.0 Tailgate Grill, a MEAT! 1 HP Grinder #22 and a MEAT! kitchen knife set, among others.
The contest challenged wild-game enthusiasts across the country to submit their most creative and flavorful dishes featuring legally harvested wild game. Recipes were judged on creativity, story, visual appeal, and ultimately — taste. Finalists’ recipes were recreated by a panel of judges who assessed the final flavor and how well the instructions translated to the plate.
With submissions ranging from Kung Pao frog legs to wild turkey ramen, the contest showcased the diversity and passion within America’s hunting community.
Submitted recipes and photos will be featured across NWTF’s media platforms, including the website, social media and upcoming newsletters. Be sure to follow the NWTF to see how these dishes came to life.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.