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| Photo: Jessica S. Ralat. |
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?
Texas State Fair 2009
Fried butter at the State Fair of Texas held in Dallas during the month of September, 2009.
Jose Ralat Maldonado
Fried cookie dough!
Jose Ralat Maldonado
Green Goblins, a Big Tex Choice Awards finalist.
Jose Ralat Maldonado
Chicken Fried Bacon (left) and Deep Fried Pork Chips (right).
Jose Ralat Maldonado
Fernie's Deep Fried Peaches & Cream, winner of Best Tasting dish at the State Fair.
Abel Gonzalez Jr. serves up his award-winning Deep Fried Butter.
Christi Erpillo (right), creator of Fernie's Deep Fried Peaches & Cream, with sister Johnna McKee.
Fern Wanda Winter, Christi Erpillo's mother, was the first cook to serve Funnel Cake at the State Fair of Texas.
Entrance to the Midway.
Jose Ralat Maldonado
State Fair of Texas mascot, Big Tex.
Jose Ralat Maldonado
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