The Big Tex Choice Awards, which have run every year since 2005, celebrate the best food offerings being showcased annually at the State Fair of Texas. The fair, which according to D Magazine will take place this year at Fair Park in Dallas between Sept. 26 and Oct. 19, features a vast assortment of exciting, innovative and tasty culinary endeavors. Judged by a panel including celebrity chefs and other stars from around the Texas food scene, awards are given out in two categories: best tasting and most creative. Though the awards ceremony itself won’t be held until the morning of Labor Day, the judges have already tasted the entrants cuisine and made their selections for finalists.
The Dallas News reports that eight different items have made it to the final round of judging. Seven of the final selections feature deep fried cuisine, with a chicken fried loaded baked potato, deep fried breakfast for dinner, deep fried Texas bluebonnet, fried gulf shrimp boil, fried sweet Texas pie, twisted Texas taco and fried sriracha balls jockeying for the top spot. The one item selected as a finalist that doesn’t feature something fried in oil is a funnel cake ale, an English style vanilla ale served in a cup with a powdered sugar rim.
While the winners will be announced before the fair actually takes place, culinary academy students are encouraged to get out to Dallas during the festivities to take in some of the innovative submissions. Those looking to visit predominantly for the culinary prowess on display should consider going on Labor Day, when a discounted $100 ticket will include the right to sample all eight finalist foods.
