Since the invention of the Fletcher's Corny Dog, fairgoers have often ranked food as one of the top reasons for attending the annual State Fair of Texas. In 2005, Fair organizers - determined to take the association with food to a new level - organized the first annual Big Tex Choice Awards contest.
(left) Fried Hans' Kraut Ball (right) Fried Bublegum
The contest is considered a friendly food fight among Fair concessionaires. The contest is not open to the general public. Only concessionaires leasing space from the State Fair of Texas are eligible to enter. On Labor Day, judges are brought in for the final round of competition.
Finalists for 2011 were:
BUFFALO CHICKEN IN A FLAPJACK
DEEP FRIED PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
DEEP FRIED TEXAS SALSA™
EL BANANARITO
FRIED AUTUMN PIE
FRIED BUBBLEGUM
HANS’ KRAUT BALL
WALKING TACO
This year's WINNERS were announced earlier today. And they are....
(left) Martinez Family representative accepting their award for Fried Bubblegum with (right) Alan Weiss collecting his award for Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack
Most Creative = Fried Bubblegum
Best Taste = Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack
The buffalo chicken in a flapjack is described as "a buffalo chicken strip coated in flapjack batter, rolled in jalapeno bread crumbs, deep fried to a golden brown, skewed, and served with a side of syrup." It comes from concessionaire Alan Weiss and is available inside the Automobile Building and in the Thrill Way.
The Fried bubblegum is "a light-as-a-feather bubblegum-flavored marshmallow dipped in batter, lightly fried, decorated with a swirl of icing, and sprinkled with powdered sugar." It was submitted by concessionaire Justin Martinez and will be sold at Granny's Funnel Cakes on Coliseum Drive. "The kids will love it but the parents will need to bring Wetnaps," said Scales, as she stretched the bubblegum-flavored marshmallow center between her fingers. "It's just a big mess.”
The State Fair of Texas will run September 30 through October 23, 2011. I am counting down the days...
The Fried bubblegum is "a light-as-a-feather bubblegum-flavored marshmallow dipped in batter, lightly fried, decorated with a swirl of icing, and sprinkled with powdered sugar." It was submitted by concessionaire Justin Martinez and will be sold at Granny's Funnel Cakes on Coliseum Drive. "The kids will love it but the parents will need to bring Wetnaps," said Scales, as she stretched the bubblegum-flavored marshmallow center between her fingers. "It's just a big mess.”
The State Fair of Texas will run September 30 through October 23, 2011. I am counting down the days...
