The winners in the annual competition pitting State Fair of Texas vendors against each other for the best dishes were recently announced.
The Big Tex Choice Awards winners for 2023 placed in one of three different categories: “Best Taste – Savory,” “Best Taste – Sweet,” and “Most Creative.”
Established in 2005, this annual competition has been a highlight of the State Fair of Texas for nearly 20 years, allowing vendors to showcase their culinary creativity.
While each vendor could submit multiple entries, they had to have worked at least one year as a concessionaire at the fair to qualify for the contest.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, in early August the field of 36 semi-finalists was reduced to 10: five for the sweet category and five for the savory category.
Each entry was evaluated based on uniqueness, presentation, creativity, and taste by a panel of judges that included personalities from the food industry, such as Richard Chamberlain, chef of Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House, and broadcast media, such as Mark Followill, TV announcer for the Dallas Mavericks.
While deep-fried treats featured heavily among the finalists, these dishes ranged from cheesy crab tater bites slathered in a Cajun crawfish sauce to a summer-fruit twisted lemonade served in a boot.
However, the three entries taking home the prize in the 19th year of the Big Tex Choice Awards were as follows.
- Best Savory Dish: Deep Fried Pho by Michelle Le
Deep Fried Pho is a blend of flavors featuring rolled-up noodles, beef slices, fresh herbs, and bean sprouts.
This mouthwatering dish inspired by a classic Vietnamese comfort food comes with a flavor-packed pho dipping sauce and various traditional accompaniments, such as lime, jalapeños, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and sriracha.
Aromatic, bright, and fiery, this dish promises to wake up your taste buds.
Le’s dish was subject to some recent controversy, as previously covered in The Dallas Express. An uncomfortable moment arose when a social media influencer noted the similarities between Le’s entry and a dish served at Dallas restaurant Cris and John’s. While the owners, Cristina and John Pham, have since gone silent on the issue, it did cast a cloud over Le’s success.
- Best Sweet Dish: Biscoff Delight by Stephen El Gidi
Stephen El Gidi raises the bar for desserts with his Biscoff Delight.
This culinary marvel transforms New York-style cheesecake by incorporating Belgian chocolate and crushed Biscoff cookies, which taste like caramel.
Topped with a dusting of Biscoff cookies, this Instagram-worthy delicacy is sure to leave a lasting mark on your taste buds.
- Most Creative Dish: Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas by Cody and Lauren Hays
Adding a playfully decadent twist to the traditional sopapilla, Cody and Lauren Hays scored high in creativity by fusing vanilla-caramel bananas, bourbon syrup, crushed candied pecans, and sweetened mascarpone cheese in this dish.
Their invention, the Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas, is made all the more heavenly with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
If the descriptions of these winning dishes weren’t enough to whet your appetite, check out some of the semi-finalists while at the fair this year. Runner-up concessionaires will have the opportunity to sell their dishes despite not making the final cut.
The State Fair of Texas will open to guests on September 29, so be sure to make preparations to maximize the fun when you visit.