Casserole Showdown at the Fair

by Jose Ralat Maldonado, Posted Sep 30th 2009 @ 11:00AM

Photo: Jessica S. Ralat.

Is there anyone whose grandmother hasn't served a casserole surprise, cobbled together from leftovers or the contents of the cupboard, and topped with cheese, potatoes and/or fried onions? And is there anyone who hasn't winced when it reached the table?

On Monday, the State Fair of Texas held the All-American Casserole Contest. Sixteen competitors -- mostly of the geriatric set -- entered casseroles in three categories: vegetable, chicken and meat.

The panel of judges, at first, gobbled entry samples with gusto. Once the initial excitement waned, however, the judges paced themselves for the long haul. Then the power went out.

Lest you think technical difficulties might have impeded the culinary tête-à-tête, Slashfood is here to remind you that cooking competitions are serious business at fairs nationwide. No dysfunctional lightbulb was going to halt these casseroles and their creators! Find out who won and see photos from the fair after the jump.

By the time the nail-bitingly anticipated results were at long last tallied, Best of Show was awarded to grandmotherly Paula Skelton, of Dallas, for her Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.

One fair-goer, upon hearing about the winning entry, said in shock, "Good Lord! The little old church ladies have been making that for decades."

Nevertheless, it's a classic one-pot dish that's welcome at the table anytime. Ms. Skelton, can you please pass the casserole?

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Texas State Fair 2009

Fried butter at the State Fair of Texas held in Dallas during the month of September, 2009.

Jose Ralat Maldonado

Getty Images North America