Thirty-six creations once vied for recognition among food options at the Texas State Fair. Now it’s down to the final ten.
The Dallas Express previously reported on the events surrounding the competition for the coveted 2022 Big Tex Awards.
On Sunday, August 28, only three unique foods will be named the 2022 Big Texas Award winners in the categories of “Best Taste” – Savory, “Best Taste” – Sweet, and “Most Creative.”
The ten finalists will present their creations before a panel of celebrity judges who will narrow down the contenders. The top ten going before the judge’s table are:
SAVORY
CHICHARRON EXPLOSION NACHOS, Glen & Sherri Kusak
Fresh pork rinds are fried and then seasoned Cajun-style. Smoked beef fajita meat is spread over the nachos and covered with fresh queso. The chicharron nachos are then topped with a serving of barbeque chopped beef.
DEEP FRIED BLT, Tom Grace
Crispy bacon is folded into a tortilla with shredded cheddar cheese, which gets dunked into the deep fryer. The stuffed tortilla is then used as the sandwich bread. It is cut in half and layered with crisp lettuce, two red tomato slices, and mayonnaise in between. The fried BLT creation is paired with fresh-cut garlic parmesan chips.
DEEP FRIED LASAGNA ROLL, Parish Family
Ribbon pasta is covered with ricotta, parmesan, provolone, and fresh mozzarella cheeses, then topped with homemade meat sauce. The lasagna roll is dipped in a cheddar, herb batter, and fried golden brown. The roll is then garnished with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil and served with a side of Deep Fried Zucchini Fries.
FRIED CHARCUTERIE BOARD, Tami Nevins-Mayes & Josey Mayes
Chopped-up fresh mozzarella, salami, and crisp green apples are tossed in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Italian herbs. Then the ingredients are wrapped in a wonton wrapper and fried, topped with creamy goat cheese and hot honey.
HOLY BISCUIT, Isaac Rousso
Slow-smoked shredded brisket is ladled with fire-roasted street corn queso on top of a golden-brown biscuit. Then, thick-cut bacon is drizzled with spicy Texas honey. The creation is complete when it’s served with a crispy pickle and French fries.
SWEET
CHA-CHA CHATA, Garza Family
The creation starts with a triple-step of two kinds of milk and vanilla ice cream blended with the Garza family’s horchata recipe. The drink is poured into a cup rimmed with caramel and cinnamon and topped with a dollop of whipped topping. It’s then dusted with crushed candy, a sprinkle of cinnamon galletas de gragega, and deep-fried arroz con leche bites and served with a churro straw.
DEEP FRIED ROCKY ROAD WITH BLUE BELL ICE CREAM®, Cody & Lauren Hays
Rocky Road Kettle Fresh Fudge is coated with sweetened batter and deep-fried, then drizzled with chocolate syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Mini marshmallows and chopped cinnamon glazed nuts are sprinkled on top with powdered sugar. The dish comes with a single-serve ice cream cup of Blue Bell Ice Cream® Homemade Vanilla.
LA BLUEBONNET, Milton & Grace Whitley
La Bluebonnet is made with freshly squeezed citrus juices and blueberries that are folded into a base and shaken well to achieve a balance of sweet and tart. Then, the concoction is poured over ice and topped with an optional lemon-mint-berry twist.
PEANUT BUTTER PARADISE, Chris Easter & Nicole Sternes
Peanut Butter Paradise starts with deep-frying a honey bun. Caramel is injected into the honey bun, and creamy peanut butter is spread on top. The treat is then layered with Reese’s Pieces, crushed Butterfinger crumbles, and topped off with peanut butter cups, drizzled caramel, and powdered sugar.
THE ULTIMATE BROOKIE MONSTER, Juan & Brent Reaves
The Ultimate Brookie Monster starts with chocolate chip cookies layered with Oreos and marshmallows. Then, the creation is covered in chocolate brownie batter, baked, and deep fried. Then, this super brookie is treated to a dusting of powdered sugar and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It is topped with cheesecake crumbles and strawberry sauce.
Unfortunately, the Big Tex Awards will be closed to the public, but foodies can keep up with all the latest at the Big Tex Awards event at @StateFairofTX on all social media platforms.
To taste this year’s Big Tex Choice winners, visit the State Fair of Texas when it opens on September 30.