State Fair of Texas
It’s the final countdown over at the State Fair of Texas, and not until the fair finally opens. It's also a countdown to see which of the 10 finalists will come out on top for the 15th annual Big Tex Choice Awards.
Forty-nine entries were submitted for this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards by 30 State Fair concessionaires, according to a State Fair of Texas media release. A panel of judges sampled the 33 semifinalists and selected 10 of the best to compete at the Big Tex Choice Awards later in August.
These 10 finalists will compete in categories including “Best Taste – Sweet,” “Best Taste – Savory” and “Most Creative.” The Big Tex Choice Awards will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 25 at the historic Tower Building at Fair Park. Tickets are available online for $125 at BigTex.com/Tickets.
State Fair of Texas
"Calypso Island Shrimp Bowl" by Stephen Alade
This tasty and colorful tropical cabbage stir fry is served on a yellow tropical rice pad topped with marinated grilled Caribbean shrimp and a sweet and spicy tropical glaze. This dish is complemented with a side of fresh carrots, kale, scallions, ginger and sweet red bell peppers.
State Fair of Texas
"Fernie’s Fried Burnt End Burrito" by Winter Family Concessions
A large flour tortilla stuffed and folded burrito-style, this burnt end burrito is slathered with a jalapeno popper spread created from cream cheese, bacon, Mexican blend cheese and diced jalapenos before topped with a layer of pepper jack cheese and dipped in the fryer. Sides include panko-crusted onion rings, a sweet and spicy barbeque sauce and cherry pepper.
State Fair of Texas
"Ruth’s Stuffed Fried Mexi-Cone" by Ruth Hauntz
Tender, marinated and slow-cooked to perfection, this barbacoa taco meat fusion is served in an ice cream cone-shaped tortilla shell with black beans and cilantro lime rice. This Mexicana-cream-styled concoction is also topped with pico de gallo, queso fresco and homemade salsa verde and complemented with a slice of lime on the edge of the taco shell.
State Fair of Texas
"Southern Fried Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Ball" by Greg Parish
Before being fried to a golden crisp, this southern fried ball of deliciousness is filled with fettuccine alfredo, southern fried chicken and fresh mozzarella cheese. Afterward, this fettuccine fair cuisine is garnished with alfredo sauce, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil and cracked pepper and served with a side of lemon pepper asparagus spears and a toasted garlic parmesan baguette.
State Fair of Texas
"Texas Cream Corn Casserole Fritters" by Clint Probst
This classic Cream Corn Casserole is served with a Texas twist. Battered with cream and kernel corn, sour cream, cheddar cheese and cornbread, this mix is made unique by adding chopped bacon and diced jalapeno before being rolled into fritter balls and dipped in the fryer. Cream Corn Queso Blanco can also be added for dipping and sharing.
State Fair of Texas
"Big Red Chicken Bread" by Brent & Juan Reaves
Forget chicken and waffles; this breaded delight is a fluffy, fresh-baked, melt-in-your-mouth donut that’s coated in Big Red-flavored frosting and paired with a crispy fried chicken wing on top. This flavorful, crunchy chicken wing is also in summer style with a fresh pair of sunglasses to block the beating heat.
State Fair of Texas
"Deep Fried Bayou Fruit Bites" by Terrence & Lisa Henderson
Fruit wedges have never tasted better when they're battered, deep-fried and copiously coated in secret sweet sauce before finished with creamy whipped topping and drizzled in warm caramel sauce. Reeses Pieces candy bites, chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans and strawberries can also be added for the extra sweet tooth crunch.
State Fair of Texas
"Fla’Mango Tango" by The Garza Family
This dish puts the "tango" in "mango" as this slice of mango is deep-fried and drizzled in a citrus fruity glaze with whipped cream topping placed on top. A fruity, creamy strawberry-mango sorbet is served on the side, and a toothpick pink flamingo is punched into the treat to keep you company!
State Fair of Texas
"Peanut Butter Cup Snookie" by Michelle Edwards
This freshly baked peanut butter cup cookie pops right out of the oven and into your belly with two vanilla ice cream scoops on top that melt on the warm, fluffy cookie surface. A healthy coating of caramel and chocolate is drizzled on top along with a sprinkling of peanut butter cups, sprayed with whipped cream and topped with a cherry.
State Fair of Texas
"Quick Fried 'Black Gold' Truffles" by Glen & Sherri Kusak
Thin chocolate cookies are crushed into crumbs before they're mixed with richly thick cream cheese and mini white chocolate chips in this golden goodie. After they’re hand-rolled into balls and coated in a vanilla wafer, cornflake, cinnamon and nutmeg breading, they’re deep-fried into delicate, tasty, crunchy truffle bites.