I was born in Karcag in 1953, and all my ancestors were shepherds. In the Csontos family, mutton stew has had a great tradition. Even as a child, I joined in the processes of mutton cooking, from skinning and butchering the animal, to singeing the head and hooves, to seasoning the stew. Having mastered the craft, I have been invited to cook for a variety of important occasions, such as baptisms, naming ceremonies, weddings and other social events.
After the regime change, the first mutton stew competition in Karcag was organized in 1991, followed by four consecutive annual competitions. I participated in each one, and my stew was among the top winners every time. The competition resumed in 1998, and has since reached a national level. Now I enter these competitions with my sons, and even my wife has achieved some truly amazing results. I can proudly declare that the best mutton stew is made by the Csontos clan. As a family, we have won numerous prizes and several gold medals.
More than thirty years later, it seems that following the beckoning call of my ancestors and moving with my wife from the city to the prairie, at the edge of the Hortobágy has been the right decision. I have returned to the shepherd lifestyle of my forefathers. This lifestyle is often trying, but I would not trade it in for anything.
