2022 Big Tex Choice Award Winners Announced
The verdict in the 18th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards is here.
The winners are: “Best Taste – Savory” goes to the Fried Charcuterie Board, Tami Nevins-Mayes & Josey Mayes, “Best Taste – Sweet” goes to the Peanut Butter Paradise, Chris Easter & Nicole Sternes, and Cha-Cha Chata, The Garza Family takes home “Most Creative.”
The fried charcuterie board includes chopped-up mozzarella, salami, and green apples tossed in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Italian herbs. Then the ingredients are wrapped in a wonton wrapper and fried, topped with goat cheese and a drizzle of hot honey.
The peanut butter paradise starts with deep-frying a honey bun. Then, caramel is injected into the honey bun and then topped with peanut butter. The treat is then layered with some fan-favorite peanut butter treats, Reese’s Pieces, Crushed Butterfinger crumbles, topped off with peanut butter cups, drizzled caramel, and powdered sugar.
The cha-cha chata starts with a triple-step of two kinds of milk and vanilla ice cream blended with the Garza family’s top-secret horchata recipe. The drink is then poured into a cup rimmed with caramel and cinnamon and topped with a dollop of whipped topping. Finally, the cha-cha chata is dusted with crushed candy, a sprinkle of cinnamon galletas de gragega, and deep-fried arroz con leche bites.
Despite not taking home one of the three titles today, the other 2022 finalists include: Chicharron Explosion Nachos by Glen and Sherri Kusak, Deep Fried BLT by Tom Grace, Deep Fried Lasagna Roll by The Parish Family, Holy Biscuit by Isaac Rousso, Deep Fried Rocky Road with Blue Bell Ice Cream by Cody and Lauren Hays, La Bluebonnet by Milton and Gracie Whitley, and The Ultimate Brookie Monster by Juan and Brent Reaves.
This year’s panel of celebrity judges was comprised of Brad Batson – co-founder, Karbach Brewing Company; Hiawatha Williams – founder, Williams Chicken; Lance Barrow – Emmy award-winning CBS Sports Producer; Maricsa Trejo – Pastry Chef and Founder, La Casita Bakeshop; Rob “Big Rob” Maiden – captain, Mavs ManiAACs; Bruce Sifford – State Fair of Texas board chairman.
Each of the 10 finalists will be available all 24 days of the 2022 State Fair of Texas, plus a full slate of other new foods being offered at the Fair this year.
Fair fanatics can pick up a Visitor’s Guide, which includes a food map that lays out the vendor locations for each of the finalists or check out the food finder map on BigTex.com/Map. Visitor’s Guides will be available at State Fair hospitality centers, as well as online at BigTex.com.
The 2022 State Fair of Texas will open Sept. 30 at Fair Park.
