The mouthwatering, tantalizing moment we have all been waiting for is here. The 2024 Big Tex Choice Awards winners have been chosen. Did your favorite make the list? See who past the test and made it to the food finish line.
An all-star panel of judges consisted of Brad Batson (co-founder, Karbach Brewing Company), Leslie Brenner (food and beverage personality), Calvin Golden (franchise expert and business consultant), Donovan Lewis (96.7SportsRadio/1310 The Ticket Host), and Nikky Phinyawatana (founder of Asian Mint Restaurant Group and ChefNikky.com).
After tasting all 10 foods the judges have announced the winners of each three categories: “Best Taste- Savory,” Best Taste- Sweet,” and “Most Creative”.
Best Taste- Savory | Dominican Fruitura Dog
Made with fritura cheese and Dominican salami, this Latin twist stole the show in this category. The creator behind the fusion food is Justin Martinez.
Martinez has family history connected to the fair. His father had his start in food at the State Fair back in 1977.
The savory corn dog is elevated to Martinez’s own take on the classic state fair food. It is split open and garnished with garlic plantain chips, top-secret Dominican sauce, and cilantro.
Best Taste- Sweet | Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick
This unique combo of savory and sweet was created by Isaac Rousso. A 12-in piece of bacon is cooked with a cotton candy glaze, which is then spun inside a cotton candy machine. Fair-goers will have the chance to try the salty-sweet treat when the fair opens its doors Sept. 27 through Oct. 20.
Rousso is no stranger to competition on the fairgrounds. Like — he even had a state fair-themed restaurant in Plano. In 2016, the cook also won “Most Creative” for his Cookie Fries. Other past wins include his Smoky Bacon Margarita, Deep Fried Cuban Roll, and Fried Pop Tart.
Born in Dallas, his family started with their own State Fair booth called Taste of Cuba. From there the family expanded and is responsible for State Fair additions like the Magnolia Beer Garden, Magnolia Pavilion, Magnolia Smokehouse, and the Craft Beer Terrace.
Most Creative | Texas Sugar Rush Pickles
We never thought cotton candy pickle slices would be a word that would be in our vocabulary in 2024. Yet, here we are. Heather Perkins won this year’s most creative food category with this mouth-watering concoction. The pickles are coated in Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, and Cap’n Crunch. The cereal-coated pickle is then met with cotton candy sugar crystals and powdered sugar. It’s all unified with a drizzle of strawberry Sundae syrup and topped with vanilla ice cream.
The standout participant embodied a unique and daring personality when it came to creativity and flavor. This has become a pattern for many; making the fair a culinary breeding ground in the exploration of flavor innovation. This ultimately is what helped her succeed. (Whew, we really put our all into this one — the creative writing classes are finally paying off.)
Again, congratulations to these State Fair winners.
