The State Fair of Texas has named the eight finalists for the 2013 Big Tex Choice Awards. Each year, eight concessionaires are chosen to compete for the top prizes of Best Taste and Most Creative. Past winners include Fried Coke, Fried Beer, Fried Cinnamon Roll with Bacon and Deep Fried Jambalaya.
Sue Gooding with the State Fair says this year there are more entrees on the finalist menu.
“It seems in the past we were really heavy on sweets. This year we have a lot of entrees,” Gooding says. “We have Deep Fried Cuban Roll, Fernie’s Deep Fried King Ranch Casserole, the Fried Thanksgiving Dinner, Chicken Fried Meatloaf, Spinach Dip Bites and the Texas Fried Fireball.”
On the sweet side, there’s the Golden Fried Millionaire Pie, with cream cheese pineapple and pecans; and Awesome Deep Fried Nutella.
Gooding says temporary concessionaires are not required to list nutritional information about their deep fried creations.
“We have had in the past some very creative dieticians that go in and calculate all the calories,” Gooding recalls. “But you know, the State Fair comes around once a year. You can eat, spend time with your family and walk it off. We definitely will give you a little exercise workout while you’re enjoying the fried foods.”
The winners will be announced Labor Day.
