Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo food vendors entered their options in hopes of winning the champion title on Thursday, Feb. 28, for the fifth annual Gold Buckle Foodie Awards.
Fried fair classics and creative foods filled the Kids Country Stage area and the stomachs of local media celebrities as they devoured the entries, ranking each bite that made their taste buds dance.
“I’m so excited, hungry and glad they picked me; it’s like winning an Oscar®,” said Coco, a HOT 95.7 disc jockey.
As the contest got under way, judges were quick to speak up about a favorite. Tasha Coney, of Houston radio station 104.1 KRBE, got emotional after tasting a deep-fried Oreo® with cookie dough. “It was a definite 10 — best dessert ever,” she said.
To remind the judges around the middle of the contest that they still had plenty of entries to taste, the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards announcers Harry Miller, vice chairman of headquarters on World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest Committee, and Michelle Lilie, vice chairman on Commercial Exhibits Committee, told the judges to remember that this was a marathon, not a sprint.
“I’m energized. It was very smart for the desserts to be at the end. I’m amped up to go back to work and come to the rodeo tonight,” said Rodney Waites with Radio Disney 1590.
Eight food exhibits were awarded for their winning entries with a plaque, ribbon, a $150 Rodeo Merchandise certificate and the right to call themselves a 2013 Gold Buckle Foodie Award champion.
- Best Breakfast Food: Stubby’s Cinnamon Rolls – Big Stone Breakfast Sandwich
- Best Value Food: Saltgrass Steakhouse – Ribs & Chicken Platter
- Best Food-on-a-Stick: Berryhill Baja Grill – Shrimp Diablo
- Classic Fair Food: Saltgrass Steak House – Pulled Pork Loaded Baked Potato
- Most Creative Food: Custom Confection’s – Red Velvet Frosty Bite
- Best Fried Food: Fletchers Corny Dogs & Funnel Cakes – Original Corny Dog
- Best New Flavor: Aunt Edmoe’s – Cookie Dough Parfait
- Best Dessert: Go Nuts and More – Cinnamon Glazed Pecans
To get Show patrons involved with tasting these ultimate treats, the “I Ate All 8” challenge has returned for 2013. A punch card with all eight first-place winners can be downloaded or obtained at one of the winning booths. After eating at least five of the eight Gold Buckle Foodie Award-winning entries listed above, a the card can be redeemed at the Show’s Social Station located in the Star Zone at the entrance to Hall D of Reliant Center for a prize. The first 50 people to get their cards punched will receive a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 75th Anniversary Cookbook.