Celebrating National Inventors Day With Something Corny

Neil "Skip" Fletcher, JR. with Corny Dog inventor Neil Fletcher, Sr (circa mid-1970s), Fletcher's Corny Dog booth (circa 1950s)

The proverb “Necessity is the mother of invention” says a lot about how inventors look at life. Many inventors go their whole life without recognition for their creativity while others are household names. February 11 is National Inventors Day so today, I am giving a nod to two Dallas brothers who helped start America's obsession for fried food. In 1938, brothers Neil and Carl Fletcher were offered a unique opportunity to run a food booth at Fair Park. Both men had spent years marveling at the lack of cuisine offered to the Park patrons and knew they had an opportunity on their hands. According to Neil, there was a local baker on Oak Lawn Ave. who served a dish of hot dogs baked in cornmeal in the shape of an ear of corn, and while it tasted good, the process was time-consuming and complicated.

The State Fair Of Texas Offers A Secret Garden of Delights

Not all State Fair of Texas ticket holders realize that the Texas Discovery Gardens (TDG) and Butterfly House is open during fair hours and just a few steps from the Texas Star Ferris Wheel. TDG’s mission is to teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in the urban environment, with a focus on organic and sustainable gardening. The not for profit garden houses thousands of unique butterflies in an enclosed environment designed to educate young and old alike. Texas Discovery Gardens is an organically maintained urban garden and the first public garden in the state of Texas to be certified 100% organic by the Texas Organic Research Center. The gardens are maintained using sustainable methods that conserve water and help to protect the environment. The grounds feature a two-story Butterfly House and a 7.5 acre organic botanic garden with native and adapted plants. This year TDG offers a change in scenery for those seeking a breather from the bustle.

State Fair of Texas Announces Winners of the 2017 Big Tex Choice Awards

Today's 13th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards, presented by VisitDallas, provided guests with an ample assortment of tasty treats. Tom Grace’s Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger took home the titles for both “Best Taste – Savory” and “Most Creative.” With 28 years as a concessionaire under his belt, Tom Grace is no rookie in the world of Fair food. This is his second time to make the finals in the Big Tex Choice Awards and first time winning a title. To create his Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger, he begins with two funnel cakes for “buns” that are fried to a golden crunch. The first funnel bun is topped with a juicy, freshly-grilled burger patty, a heaping helping of crispy bacon, and gooey queso! It is completed with another funnel bun and generously dusted with powdered sugar.

The Society Diaries (Sept/Oct 2016) Spotlights Fried Foods, Couture Fashion and How You Can Get Your Glow On

Among my many projects, I am a Contributor for The Society Diaries, a bi-monthly lifestyle publication that is distributed all across the great state of Texas. I mean, who else know more about what makes Dallas fabulous than me!? In every issue I get an entire page to spotlight the restaurants, fashion designers and retail stores that I think are worthy of a Texas-sized spotlight. In the new September/October 2016 issue I am shining a spotlight on one of my favorite events of the year, The State Fair of Texas! I'm a girl who loves to eat. Specifically, I love to eat anything fried and slathered in ranch dressing, me & Big Tex are always tight this time of year. You'll fall in love with the beautiful work of fashion designer, Nardos Imam, who just opened her namesake boutique in Victory Plaza. And lastly, I owe my golden glow to Simply Glowing's Kari Lord. She spray-tans many of Big D's hottest socialites and celebs (Joelle "Jojo" Fletcher from The Bachelor is her newest client) and she can give you that summer-kissed look as well. 

State Fair of Texas Announces Finalists for the 2016 Big Tex Choice Awards

Touch your mouse to the screen below to scroll through the gallery:
photos c/o State Fair of Texas


Even casual readers to this blog know that I am #obsessed with the State Fair of Texas. It's an iconic part of our city's heritage and from a family outing on the Midway with the kids to date night filled with fried food selections and a romantic Farris Wheel ride, the State Fair provides endless opportunities for fun. The Fair is legendary for it's fried foods and each year, the best new selections are honored with a Annual Big Tex® Choice Award. A press release sent out by the Fair today said, "With an impressive 55 entries to choose from this year, only the eight most decadent dishes have earned the right to go up against the prestigious panel of celebrity judges in hopes of achieving fair food supremacy. Even if your favorite entry didn’t make the final cut, concessionaires can still choose to introduce their creation at their stand as a “new food” during this year’s Fair."  The State Fair of Texas is proud to announce the eight finalists who will be competing for the titles of Best Taste and Most Creative in the 2016 Big Tex Choice Awards:

Taylor Swift Is Coming To The 2016 State Fair Of Texas (Sort Of)

Celebrating 130 years of tradition, the State Fair of Texas is powering up for another season of food, festivities and family fun. Themed “Celebrating Texas Agriculture,” the 2016 exposition kicks off on Friday, September 30 in historic Fair Park and will run through October 23. Before Big Tex makes his annual debut, the State Fair has a few announcements about the latest and greatest attractions lined up for this year’s event.

State Fair of Texas Announces Agriculture Theme For 2016

Even the most casual reader of this blog knows of my obsession with the State Fair of Texas. From it's vast fried food options to the countless blue-ribbon contests they hold to the Midway rides, you just cannot beat the Fair for a day of fun (and people-watching). The countdown to fun has officially begun – only 200 days until the State Fair of Texas® begins its annual 24-day run. With agriculture, education and community involvement at the heart of every decision, the State Fair passionately pursues opportunities to expand and build upon its mission.

This year the State Fair of Texas celebrates 130 years of history with the city of Dallas and the great Lone Star State. Originally established as a livestock exposition back in 1886, it is without question that the Fair has deep roots in agriculture. In honor of its history, the Fair constantly strives to promote agricultural education and aims to further support this initiative through its 2016 event, themed “Celebrating Texas Agriculture.” This year’s exposition will run Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 23 at historic Fair Park in Dallas.

Which Fried Foods Are Worth Your Coupons At The State Fair of Texas In 2015?

Christi Erpillo, her Mother Fernie, Johnna McKey 

Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year. I was lucky enough to attend the Big Tex Choice Awards at the State Fair of Texas. Every year, hundreds of State Fair vendors spend months dreaming up crazy recipes, experimenting over and over until they think they have something new and unique, then entering their whackadoodle creations to see if they will make the cut.

This year eight items were selected as finalists to compete in the Big Tex Choice Awards. Making the finals virtually ensures a huge payoff because of the press surrounding this event. Winning the contest can take a vendor into the six figure mark and earn them an annual salary over the 6-week course of the Fair!

This year (according to the judges), the Best Tasting award went to Christi Erpillo for Fernie’s Holy Moly Carrot Cake Roly, while Isaac Rousso took the title of Most Creative for his Smoky Bacon Margarita.

Isaac Rousso with his family

Delivering the good news was a surprise celebrity guest who helped announce the winners while making his first-ever public debut – none other than Big Tex…the mascot. That’s right, the State Fair introduced a Big Tex mascot, complete with cowboy gear and that traditional Texas style everyone loves so much.

In addition to their winning titles, both champions received a set of Michelin Defender LTX tires as an added bonus. I arrived hungry and eager to bring you back all the scoop on which foods are worth your coupons at this year's State Fair.

Clearly, the judges had voiced their opinions on the two best dishes, but I wanted to weigh in with my thoughts on which items are worth your hard-earned dollars.

The State Fair of Texas Announces Finalists for the 2015 Big Tex Choice Awards

Cynthia Smoot judging the 2014 Big Tex Choice Awards

Gators and lobsters and buffalos, oh my! A press release this morning from The State Fair of Texas announced this year’s finalists for the Big Tex Choice Awards, who will compete for the titles of Best Tasting and Most Creative, as well as a set of Michelin Defender LTX tires for both winners.

YOU can be one of the first people to taste the food made by the finalists at the 11th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards on Sunday, August 30 at 2:30 p.m. in the historic Tower Building.

Tickets are available online for $100, with a limited amount of seats available.

The dishes that will be battling it out for this year's award include:

Chicken Fried Lobster with Champagne Gravy by Abel Gonzales
For the first time in Big Tex Choice Awards history, lobster has made its way on the menu. Adding a flair of fair to a traditionally sophisticated dish, this seafood spread includes an entire lobster tail, breaded and deep fried to perfection. Served with a rich sauce combining lemon butter and champagne gravy, the Chicken Fried Lobster is not your typical carnival concoction. With the lavishness of a lobster dinner and the fried factor of a traditional fair food, this dish will satisfy both a fondness for fanciness and a craving for the classics.

The State Fair of Texas Announces Theme for 2015

(Press Release)  Get your bags packed and your road maps ready – the State Fair of Texas® is just around the corner, bringing you an all-access pass to Texas-sized fun! A celebration of all things Texan, the State Fair encourages visitors to explore the great Lone Star State and all it has to offer. A combination of entertainment, art, agriculture, history and cuisine, the State Fair provides fairgoers with a unique way to experience every aspect of Texas culture, all in one place. With that in mind, the State Fair invites you to grab your family and friends and start planning your trip to the 2015 Fair, themed “Passport to Texas.” This year’s exposition will run Friday, September 25 through Sunday, October 18 at historic Fair Park in Dallas. Following a record-breaking 2014 season, Fair officials look forward to another year of bringing people together in celebration of the big event. Whether you’re from near or far, the State Fair wants to show you the true Texas experience.

“After 128 years of bringing quality entertainment to the community, the State Fair continues to celebrate Texas heritage, including its significant ties to agriculture and education,” explains Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas president. “Seeing friends and families come back year after year reminds us that the Fair is more than just an annual event – it is an institution unique to the state of Texas that serves as one of the many special traditions our great state has to offer.”

Although last year’s Fair seems like just yesterday, September will be here before you know it, which means the State Fair of Texas team is already in full planning mode for the 2015 season. Aiming to further “Texify” the fairgrounds, the State Fair began the “Texification” project in 2014 with a series of additions and enhancements, including Texas-themed signage and flags throughout the grounds, as well as all-new Lone Star themed floats and music in the nightly Starlight Parade.

To promote the infinite opportunities for family-friendly fun around the state, the Fair recently launched an “#ExploreTexas” campaign through its email newsletter, with components on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This interactive campaign highlights a wide range of travel destinations throughout the state, as well as their historical significance and cultural attractions. In line with this initiative, and serving as an extension of last year’s “Texification” project, the 2015 theme aims to further support travel and tourism within the state. “Passport to Texas” encourages you to get out and discover some of Texas’ hidden gems while road tripping your way to the State Fair. Serving as a perfect end destination of a cross-country road trip or a trip down the street, the Fair brings people from all over to experience Texas tradition and all it encompasses. Mark your calendars for “Passport to Texas,” where there’s no need to travel abroad to experience culture and history – you can find it right here in the Lone Star State. Big Tex® will be waiting to extend a hearty “Howdy” to each of you when the gates swing open on Friday, September 25. For more information, visit www.bigtex.com 

The Best New Foods for the 2014 State Fair of Texas are...

And the winner is....

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be a judge in the 10th annual Big Tex Choice Awards. My fellow judges were BBQ Snob Daniel Vaughn, Donovan Lewis from The Ticket and Tiffany Derry from Spike TV's Hungry Investors. There were eight finalists competing for the titles of "Best Tasting" and "Most Creative".

After sampling all of the entires, the judges were unanimous in our decision that the award for "Best Tasting" should go to Clint Probst for his Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil. Justin Martinez took the title of "Most Creative" for his Original State Fair Brew – Funnel Cake Ale.

A day at the State Fair of Texas is not inexpensive, so let me tell you how to use your coupons wisely. Below is my personal opinion about what you don't want to miss and what you can skip when it comes to this year's new foods:

Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil

DON'T MISS Clint Probst’s crowd-pleasing Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil. This 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, DON'T MISS Funnel Cake Ale. The Original State Fair Brew with its 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.

State Fair of Texas Announces New Fried Foods for 2014

Fried Food Shock & Awe in 2010

Big Tex is set to host visitors from all across the country September 26 through October 19 for the annual State Fair of Texas®. Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas® has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment.

Fairgoers have come to expect a plethora of creative fried foods, daily shows, a nightly parade, the largest new car Auto Show in the Southwest, free concerts on the Chevy Main Stage, (and throughout the grounds), the always popular livestock exhibits and competitions, and of course, Big Tex himself.

Since 2005, each year State Fair concessionaires cook up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the Big Tex® Choice Awards. The State Fair of Texas is excited to announce this year’s finalists in the Big Tex Choice Awards, who will compete for the titles of Best Tasting and Most Creative on Labor Day:

Chicken Fried Loaded Baked Potato

Created by Butch Benavides, the creamy and moist insides of a baked potato, loaded with generous amounts of butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese, are coated and battered with a delectable blend of spices and flour that create a perfect combination of fried crispy crust and delicious, creamy loaded baked potato. Served with a ranch dipping sauce.

10th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards Offers Fried Food Fans a Chance to Pick This Year's Winners

Big Tex Choice Awards 2013

Readers of this blog know that there's pretty much nothing I love more than the fried foods of the State Fair of Texas. From classic favorites like Fletcher's Corny Dogs to newer items like the Fried Oreo or the Fried PB&J, the Fair never disappoints with its mouth-watering additions and jaw-dropping creativity. Since 2005, the State Fair’s Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the annual exposition as the “Fried Food Capital of Texas®.” Each Labor Day, media is invited to taste eight new fried concoctions. Some are sweet. Some are savory. All excellent in their own right. Last year's Fried Thanksgiving Dinner from Justin and Rudy Martinez won the award for "Most Creative" and it was was GENIUS. State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the Big Tex Choice Awards. Winning the "Most Creative" or "Best Taste" award can mean up to $250,000 in sales over the course of the Fair so this award is a BIG deal! Everything from Fried Beer to Fried Peaches and Cream have made the cut to become a part of this exclusive club.

Dallas Dweller: Caroline Wright

Dallas is full of colorful characters. There are those you see monthly in the society pages, whose stories are legendary in this town. But, this feature is inspired by the people that I think you should know more about because of their fabulous style, interesting back-story or amazing accomplishments.  Dallas Dweller seeks to introduce you to these fabulous faces.  Not all chefs own restaurants or spend their days tearing up food critics. Some work quietly behind the scenes to change the way we think about food and make it easier for the average person to take charge of how they eat.

Caroline Wright

Ask people to describe Caroline Wright and your likely to hear terms like food writer, editor, recipe developer and tester, food stylist, or photographer. A former food editor at Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, she is a graduate of the prestigious Ecole de Cuisine La Varenne and had her work appear in Cooking Light, Real Simple, Every Day with Rachael Ray and Women’s Day, among others. 

I met Wright at a dinner party a few weeks ago that was held to celebrate the publication of her new cookbook, Twenty-Dollar, Twenty-Minute Meals. After flipping through the pages during the meal, I thought, "Now, this is a woman who understands me..." She also writes the Twenty-Dollar, Twenty-Minute Meals column weekly at Food52.com.  

"Like most cooks I know, my life story really begins with food. I have always been a curious eater, and was initially fascinated with cooking as a means to serve that curiosity," says Wright. "Only when I went to college in Paris did I become really inspired with cooking as it related to the produce available in markets, the culinary culture, and the lifestyle. I went to culinary school there after college and never looked back. 

My home kitchen (in Dallas) is always changing, whether it’s who spends their time in it with me-- once, all my friends and now my toddler son-- or the city that surrounds it. I love the ways my life affects my cooking: I’ve picked up flavors or techniques from different places I’ve cooked, or tweaked a standard recipe or two to fit the palette of who joins me at the table. I almost feel I could cook my life story for you more efficiently at this point than relay it through a paragraph or two!"

Why You Need to Visit the State Fair of Texas

Welcome back, Big Tex!

The State Fair of Texas started in 1886 and is still going strong today.  Last year, the Fair ended on a sour note when our beloved Big Tex went up in flames. But, as you can see from the photo above, after spending this past year recuperating at an undisclosed location he is back and better than ever!

I have written about the State Fair of Texas many times. I think it's one of our city's best entertainment offerings and I encourage everyone to go at least once (a year). I usually go 2-3 times a season: We go as a family and do the Midway thing - spending a fortune on games we never win and getting on rides that scare the water out of me - and then my husband and I go back for date night.  We troll all the fried food booths and explore the exhibits that kids hate (who won the blue ribbon for canned foods, shop the Texas store with all of the food products, slowly wander through the automobile building looking at all of the new car models). The State Fair of Texas is currently open and will run through October 20. Find out more at http://www.bigtex.com/sft/.

Click here to see fun photos from this year's State Fair of Texas

Here are a few things I love about the Fair:

Downtown Parade Launches 2013 State Fair of Texas

The Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) invited me to tag along on a weekend of activities surrounding the State Fair of Texas. The festivities started off on opening day with the annual parade through Downtown Dallas. We chose to view the parade from Main Street Gardens. There was a band playing and several food vendors set up, including Fletcher's Corny Dogs.  I knocked out this State Fair fried food favorite early so I would have plenty of time at the Fair that afternoon to sample new offerings.  One of the reporters in our group is from New York City and was amazed by the pageantry of the beauty queens and the sheer numbers represented by participating high school bands and cheerleaders.  "We don't even have cheerleaders in NYC!", she gawked.  "Honey, welcome to Texas. We love our football, pom poms and sequins." I said in my best Texas twang. There is something very nostalgic about a parade that takes me back to my small town youth.  It's just a happy, feel-good event that's always fun for kids of all ages.

To live vicariously through my photos, click here to see what you missed.

PS: Thanks to the Joule Hotel bar manager who kindly let me plug in my iPhone and charge it up during the parade, so I could post lots of pics from the Fair all afternoon!

Best Fried Foods at the State Fair of Texas for 2013

Dear State Fair of Texas,

Thank you for inviting me to join you this morning to taste all of the finalists in this year's Big Tex Choice Awards. As you probably know, I am a huge fried food fan. My idea of a gourmet meal is to take anything... deep-fy it, wrap it in bacon, slather it with cheese and dip it in Ranch. Heaven on a plate! So I always look forward to the State Fair of Texas, which is known as the "The Fried Food Capital of Texas"!

I was thrilled when my personal favorite in the savory division was awarded the Big Tex Choice Award for "Most Creative". I thought that out of all of the entries, the Fried Thanksgiving Dinner was the most true to its title. It really did taste like Thanksgiving dinner! Justin and Rudy Martinez really hit a home run with this one, taking Mama's homemade stuffing and diced turkey, rolling it in a ball, dipping it in Southern cream corn, then rolling that in corn meal and deep frying it to perfection. I loved that it came with an old-fashioned giblet brown gravy and a zesty orange cranberry sauce to dip it in. I did both! Frankly, while it is creative, I thought it should have won the award for Best Taste. But a win, is a win and I understand that this little bobble head trophy can mean up to $250,000 in sales over the course of the Fair. So good for them!

New fried foods announced for the 2013 State Fair of Texas

Since the invention of the Fletcher's Corny Dog, fairgoers have often ranked food as one of the top reasons for attending the annual State Fair of Texas. In 2005, Fair organizers - determined to take the association with food to a new level - organized the first annual Big Tex Choice Awards contest.  Considered a friendly food fight among Fair concessionaires, vendors compete each year for the Best Taste and Most Creative new food title. The contest is not open to the general public and only concessionaires leasing space from the State Fair of Texas are eligible to enter. Three judges will select this year's winners on Monday, September 2.

Finalists named in the Ninth Annual Big Tex Choice Awards at the 2013 State Fair of Texas® are:

Adam Richman cleans up in Dallas and talks about Texas women

Adam Richman with Butch Benavides
Image distributed for Bounty

Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food Nation” and “Best Sandwich in America,” made an appearance at the State Fair of Texas® grounds this past Saturday in search of the “Tastiest Messes in Texas.”

Partnered with Bounty Paper Towels, Adam is making the rounds to food festivals and State Fairs around the country to talk about the "quicker picker upper" power to clean up messes.

State Fair employees were polled about which fried foods they thought were the messiest. Adam surveyed the top food vendors and took a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the tastiest messes. He then rounded up the Top Five and encouraged fair goers to help him crown the “Tastiest Mess in Texas.”

Dallas mourns the loss of Big Tex

[Photos: lostintexas / Twitter, ihatecomedy / Twitter]

Let today be forever known as Black Friday, for today is that day that Dallas lost one of our most iconic citizens, State Fair host Big Tex.  Big Tex was a man of mythic proportions, standing 52-ft. high, with a 31-ft. chest, 10-ft. neck, and shoulders measuring 12-and-a-half feet.

According to State Fair of Texas representative, Sue Gooding, "Around 10 a.m., smoke was noticed billowing from Big Tex’s neck and he was ultimately consumed by an ensuing blaze. The figure’s hands and cage-like skeleton, which consists of 4,200 feet of steel rods weighing three tons, remain from the fire. At this point, investigators believe the fire was caused from an electrical short that started in his right boot."