The State Fair of Texas has named its finalists for the 22nd Annual Big Tex Choice Awards, presented by Karbach Brewing Company, and the field this year is the biggest it’s ever been. The contest has run since 2005, and past winners, everything from Fried Beer to Fried Peaches and Cream, have gone on to become some of the Fair’s most talked-about foods. A record 77 entries came in from 46 different concessionaires, all of them small business owners with at least two years of experience selling food at the Fair. Every recipe gets submitted with an original name and description, then goes through a blind judging process where a panel evaluates each dish with no idea which vendor made it.
From that original 77, fifteen finalists made the cut, and they’ll compete on Tuesday, August 18, in front of 35 judges, including hometown celebrities, TV personalities, and food experts, for four titles: Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper, and Most Creative. Judges score each entry on taste, value, creativity, and fairgoer appeal before the winners get crowned. Here’s what’s actually competing this year.
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