The State Fair of Texas Announces Winners of the 2014 Big Tex Choice Awards

DALLAS, TEXAS – September 1, 2014 – The results are in and the winners have been declared! Thanks to the unique creations presented by this year’s finalists, the 10^th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards featured a smorgasbord of culinary concoctions, with the perfect balance of sweet and savory. With eight finalists competing for the titles of Best Tasting and Most Creative, the decision was far from easy. After being evaluated by a panel of prestigious judges, the final verdict has been announced: Best Tasting goes to Clint Probst for his Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil while Justin Martinez takes the title of Most Creative for his Original State Fair Brew – Funnel Cake Ale.

Clint Probst’s crowd-pleasing Cajun creation features everything you would expect in a shrimp boil rolled into a ball, dusted with Fish Fry, and fried to a golden brown. Baby gulf shrimp, diced red potatoes, onion, lemon, and seasoning are formed around a cocktail shrimp, dusted and fried with the tail sticking out for a handle. Served with a remoulade sauce, the Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil is a unique take on a classic meal, with just the right amount of kick!

As the only non-fried food in the contest, the Original State Fair Brew provides a light and delicious ale, reminiscent of one of the telltale flavors of the State Fair – funnel cake! Justin Martinez’s refreshing English style summer ale has been brewed to be crisp, with just the right amount of toastiness and sweetness, finishing with delicate notes of natural vanilla; all great flavors you find in a perfectly executed funnel cake. For those whose taste buds call for a sweeter finish, take advantage of the option to have the rim of your cup coated with powdered sugar.

Celebrating a decade of deliciousness, the annual Big Tex Choice Awards ceremony took place in the historic Tower Building at Fair Park. For the first time in its 10-year history, the fair food festivity opened its doors to the public. A limited number of State Fair fans got the chance to attend the event and serve as taste-testers for the food finalists in this year’s competition. With several hundred in attendance, the event was bigger and better than ever, not to mention an added element of community involvement. As its mission, the State Fair of Texas celebrates all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. In line with this mission, the State Fair will donate all proceeds from today’s event to the State Fair of Texas Youth Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund was established in 1992, and awards multiple college scholarships to selected applicants each year. Eligible scholarship recipients include graduating high school seniors from five Dallas Independent School District high schools in the Fair Park area – Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, James Madison, Lincoln, North Dallas and Woodrow Wilson High Schools, as well as graduating Texas high school seniors who have participated in Youth Livestock competitive events held at the State Fair of Texas.

2014 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists