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Wild Rice Days Culinary Competition

You tasted it. Now score it!

Voting is open August 30-September 4, 2026

Local restaurants are putting their creativity to the test with dishes featuring wild rice, corn, or both. Now it’s your turn to decide how they stack up!


Rate the dish you tried on a scale of 1–5, with 1 being Not Great and 5 being Exceptional.


1 — Not Great
2 — Needs Improvement
3 — Good
4 — Very Good
5 — Exceptional


Select the restaurant and dish you tried, then submit your rating. The dish with the highest average at the end of Friday, September 4th will win. The winner will be announced at the button booth after the Wild Rice Days parade on Saturday, September 5th.


Voting closes: Friday, September 4, 2026


Thank you for tasting, voting, and supporting our local restaurants

School House Cafe:

Voted the 2026 Wild Rice Days Culinary Competition Champion

The School House Cafe won the inaugural competitions with their dish:
"Portage Trail Omelet". A huge thank you to all participating restaurants, and those who supported local businesses by purchasing and voting. Nearly 300 votes were submitted in the first ever Wild Rice Days Culinary Competition!

Participating Restaurants

Two meat and wild rice-filled egg rolls and corn pasta

Bann's Bar & Restaurant

Chicken & Beef Wild Rice Egg Roll & Sweet Corn Butter Pasta

We’re still waiting on their official description and photo, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to try it! Stop by and give their culinary competition dish a taste.

Hours & Location
Two meat patties topped with melted white cheese on a white plate.

Buckhorn Bar & Grill

Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms

Bite-size, earthy appetizer filled with a nutty, savory wild rice filling, paired with a rich house-made cheese sauce that is sure to be a delight.

Hours & Location
Bowl of creamy soup with vegetables, seen from above on a gray surface

Cocktails Drafts & Eats, catering division

Italian Corn Chowder
with Shrimp

A rich and savory corn chowder with kernels of sweet corn, and tender bites of fresh shrimp and a secret heat that warms the soul.


This dish is only available to at Buckhorn Bar.

Hours & Location
Steak rollup with wild rice and corn stuffing

Fireside

Northwoods Pinwheels

Travel through all the fantastic local flavors in this hearty dish. Delight your taste buds with Wagyu Skirt Steak from Angie’s Acres smothered with a creamy fire roasted corn and wild rice filling. Paired with a bed of our signature apple vinegar slaw and cranberry chipotle aioli. 


This dish features items that can be found at the following local businesses:

Angie’s Acres - Skirt Steak

Willow River Homesteader - Corn

Gilbys Orchard - Apples

Canoe Wild Rice - Wild Rice Pilaf 

Minnesota Cranberry Company - Cranberries 

Hours & Location
Creamy mushroom gravy overtop wild rice and sausage meatballs, served over pasta

Last Chance Pub n Grub

Wild Rice Meatballs

Savory wild rice and sausage meatballs served over tender noodles and smothered in a rich, creamy mushroom gravy.

Hours & Location
Pizza baking in a wood-fired oven beside a tray of five dough balls

Log Home Wood Fired Pizza

Wild Rice Dough Artisan Pizza

Wild Rice Flour has been incorporated into our made-from-scratch dough to serve as an intriguing base to our Artisan Pizzas of the Northwoods. The wild rice flour creates an earthly flavor and distinct texture. This dough can be used with any of our artisan pizzas. For added wild rice flavor and texture, ask for wild rice to be included on your favorite pizza.

Hours & Location
Wild rice burner with lettuce, corn relish, pickles, and French fries on a white plate

Mark's Bar

Wild Rice Burger

Mark’s Original Wild Rice Burger with sweet corn relish, paired with a bowl of Rae’s creamy chicken wild rice soup.

Hours & Location
Wild rice chicken salad sandwich and cookie on a napkin atop a wooden tray

McGregor Baking Co.

Chicken Wild Rice Salad Sandwich

Enjoy a delicious sandwich made with tender chicken and wild rice, served on homemade cranberry wild rice bread. The tartness of the bread pairs beautifully with creamy avocado and crisp lettuce. Cashews add crunch, while a layer of cream cheese brings everything together.

Hours & Location
Bowl of wild rice, diced vegetables, and fresh green herbs on top

North Fork Tavern

North Fork Tavern's Famous
Cranberry Wild Rice Salad

Tender Minnesota Wild rice, toasted pecans, cranberries, diced green apple, Dijon mustard, Italian parsley & green onion tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette dressing

Hours & Location
Wrap and crinkle fries on a teal plate on a wooden table

Round Lake Bar & Resort

Wild Rice Round Lake Chicken Wrap

A hearty wrap filled with tender chicken, wild rice, crispy bacon, shredded cheese, fresh tomatoes and crisp lettuce, finished with our signature Round Lake Sauce.

Hours & Location
Wild Rice omelet on a blue plate with two slices of toast on a wooden table

School House Cafe

Portage Trail Omelet

Wild rice, tender turkey and Swiss cheese folded into a fluffy omelette and topped with rich, creamy hollandaise sauce. Add mushrooms for an extra savory burst of flavor!

Hours & Location