Cook-Off Season Is Heating Up
It’s no surprise cook-offs are a favorite fall pastime for Texans across the state. After all, our love language is food. Whether you’re a backyard pitmaster, amateur pastry chef, or simply want to sample some pies, there’s a Texas cook-off for you.
Put Your Best Food Forward
These tips can help you take home that golden spoon.
Before the Cook-Off
Know the rules. This includes the type of cuisine, dish categories, time limits, and any specific ingredients or techniques required. Practice. Make your dish multiple times before the competition to refine your technique and ensure you can complete your dish without rushing.
Prepare. Chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and prep any sauces or marinades. Make a checklist for equipment and utensils and pack them for easy access.
During the Cook-Off
Breathe. Competitions can be stressful. Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
Taste as you go. Adjust seasoning and flavors.
Wow the Judges
Presentation matters. Use garnishes and plating techniques to make your dish visually appealing.
Use aromatic elements. Herbs, spices, or smoke can create an enticing sensory experience.
Incorporate different textures. Varying textures can make your dish more interesting and enjoyable.
Engage with judges. Share a personal story or inspiration behind your dish and any special techniques to help the judges remember you and your food.
Make Your Own Tasting Competition
Bring energy to your party with a little competition. Get your friends and family together for a cook-off this fall while the weather is pleasant and the holiday rush is still weeks away.
How to DIY It
1. Choose a customizable food, such as guacamole, chili, mac and cheese, barbecue, pie, cookies, etc.
2. Invite guests to bring their home-cooked version of the food. Place the dishes on a buffet table with a numbered placard in front.
3. Instruct guests to sample foods, write their favorite dish’s number on a slip of paper, and drop it into a bowl.
4. The cook with the most votes wins bragging rights and perhaps a prize!
Host Prep
If guests bring foods that need to be warmed in slow cookers, set up extension cords and surge protectors before the event.
Stock up on cutlery and tableware, so guests are only required to bring their food. Prioritize small wares for sampling (e.g., mugs for soups, saucers for desserts, etc.).
Provide garnishes and extras for guests, such as chopped cilantro and sour cream for a chili cook-off or vanilla ice cream and whipped cream for a pie-off.
Top Texas Cook-Off Competitions
Come hungry. Take small samples. Plan to nap afterward.
Wheels & Grills, Nocona
Sept. 20–21 nocona.org
This event combines two of small-town Texas’ beloved hobbies: barbecue and cars. Travel to see the hot rods and sweet rides of the Nocona Gas Junkies car and motorcycle show. Then, stick around for the Barbeque Battle, which includes a steak cook-off and competitions for chicken, brisket, pork butt, ribs, salsa, and more.
Homemade Salsa Tasting Contest, Comal County
Sept. 25–29 comalcountyfair.org
Technically, this is a tasting, not a cook-off. Mind you, there’s still heat in this kitchen! Contestants from Comal and surrounding counties are invited to bring their homemade salsas in a 1-pint Mason jar or other sealable container, along with the recipe and date it was made. Entries will be judged on appearance, color, aroma, and taste.
The State Fair of Texas, Dallas
Sept. 27–Oct. 20 bigtex.com
Dream of a blue ribbon from the State Fair of Texas? There are cooking contests every day of the fair for foods participants prepare at home, as well as cook-offs in the fair kitchen for cobbler, pizza, and ice cream.
Fall On The Frio, Concan
Oct. 4–5 friocountry.com
Frio Country Resort’s Fall on the Frio festival benefits Texas’ game wardens, who have watched over our state’s wildlife for more than 125 years. The festival cook-off has competitions on Friday for young chefs. On Saturday, adults can compete for best beans, chicken, ribs, pork, brisket, and dessert.
Hogeye Festival Bbq Pork Cook-Off, Elgin
Oct. 24–26 elgintexas.gov
Visit downtown Elgin for “The Best Little Pig Gig in Texas,” celebrating famous Elgin sausage and all things swine. There’s a hog-calling contest, “road hog car show,” “cow patty bingo,” pet parade, Pearls Before Swine Art Show, and a Friday night dance. There are two food competitions: a dessert contest for cakes and pies and a barbecue pork cook- off, including beans, sausage, spareribs, and pork butt.
Czhilispiel, Flatonia
Oct. 25–27 czhilispiel.com
Since 1973, Flatonia has celebrated its Czech and German heritage with Czhilispiel, a festival benefitting the local community. Compete for the best czhili (yes, that’s chili); barbecue (brisket, pork spareribs, and chicken); or jackpot beans. Work up an appetite before enjoying the meats of your labor by participating in the 5K on Oct. 26.
The Terlingua Chili Cook-Off, Terlingua
Oct. 30–Nov. 2 abowlofred.com
What started as a two-person chili cook-off in 1967 is now perhaps the most well- known cook-off in Texas. Thousands of spectators descend upon the small mining ghost town of Terlingua during the cook-off to camp in the desert for the weekend; see an impressive lineup of country musicians, artists, and authors; and enjoy bowl after bowl of genuine Texas chili. Proceeds go toward fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, and local charities.
Competing in a cook-off is just one of the items on our ultimate Texas fall bucket list.
© 2024 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
