PELHAM – SafeHouse of Shelby County is hosting its first annual cooking competition, the Southern Cast Iron Showdown, at Summer Classics on Saturday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SafeHouse community outreach coordinator Valencia Moss said the event will feature teams of four competing in four food categories: sweets, meats, fixin’s and dough. A panel of judges will determine first, second and third place winners in each category, and guests at the event may sample all of the entries and vote for a team to win the People’s Choice award. Winners will receive trophies.

Cooking teams of four can sign up to participate in the competition until Friday, April 14. So far, Moss said five teams have signed up to compete.

In addition to taste testing, guests will be treated to live music from the Thomas Henry Band, face painting and balloon art.

“Our plan is to make this one of our signature events going forward,” Moss said. “The profits from this event will be used to help sustain the agency. Everything that we receive goes right back into the agency.”

SafeHouse provides domestic and sexual violence response and prevention programs to the public and shelter for those who are homeless as a result of abuse. Those who do not need shelter have the opportunity to receive other services through SafeHouse, such as counseling.

Its sexual assault center offers forensic exams for survivors of rape. Clients participate in additional services including case management, counseling and legal advocacy.

The agency also offers violence prevention education, which exposes local youth to the warning signs of abuse and encourages them to pursue relationships built on love and respect.

Tickets to attend the event are $15 for one person, $25 for two people and $5 for kids ages 12-18. Children under 12 attend for free. Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com/e/southern-cast-iron-showdown-tickets-32186232889 or by calling 378-2922.

Cooking teams may also call 378-2922 to sign up for the competition.