July 4 is fry bread season for many. Here’s what happened at Nisqually fry bread cook-off

At reservations across Washington, fry bread vendors sell their signature food alongside fireworks around the Fourth of July, and the Nisqually reservation is no exception.

If you stop by, you’ll find a food court with several local fry bread vendors located near the firework stands. If you’re lucky, you could end up buying some award-winning fry bread.

In mid-June, the Nisqually tribe held a fry bread cook-off. The event gave the best fry bread cooks in the area a chance to show off their skills.

Each contestant brought five pieces of pre-made bread to serve to the panel of judges, or dough ready to be fried. With a $300 gift card on the line, here’s what the judges decided.

Alta-Meara Sanchez-Squally took first place, followed by Anson Red Starr and Jordan Scott. Edna David and Betty Pacheco rounded out the top five.

Fry bread is typically made with a dense dough that’s fried until crispy on the outside. It can be a base for various toppings.

It originated from the rations given to tribes after they were moved onto reservations — typically flour, salt, sugar and lard — and fry bread has become a symbol of resistance for some.

“It started out as something sad and tragic,” Katie Miles, who co-founded Frybread Factory in Tacoma, told McClatchy last year. “Now it brings happiness and love.”

This story was originally published July 2, 2024 at 5:00 AM.