State Fair of Texas Cake Judging Crowns German Chocolate
Twenty-three finalists, three judges, one Best of Show ribbon. That was the math in the Competition Kitchen at the State Fair of Texas this year, where the best cake in Texas turned out to be a four-layer German chocolate. The fair runs through Sunday, October 18, at Fair Park in Dallas, and this year’s ribbon winners are on display in the Creative Arts Building for the rest of the run.
I sat on the cake panel with two other judges, my 17th year judging at the fair. These days most people know me for LiquidZERO margaritas, but food came first. Years as a restaurant critic, restaurant consultant, chef, food and travel writer, and food and beverage developer put a lot of great plates in front of me, and this assignment is the one I never turn down.
These cakes didn’t simply show up. Every finalist earned a place through the fair’s spring Battle for the Blue Ribbons, where amateur home bakers compete in cakes, pies, and cookies. Blue-ribbon winners return in the fall for the Best of Show-Down, where one contestant per category takes a Best of Show ribbon and advances to a head-to-head battle for the grand prize. Professionals are barred from entering, which makes the level of craft in that kitchen all the more striking.
German chocolate is a fitting winner for a Dallas fair, because the cake is far more Texan than German. The recipe is most often traced to Mrs. George Clay, a Dallas homemaker whose “German’s Chocolate Cake” ran in The Dallas Morning News in 1957. It was named for Samuel German, the baker who developed a sweetened baking chocolate in the 1850s. Somewhere along the way the apostrophe fell off, and the cake picked up a passport it never earned.
It’s also a cake with nowhere to hide. Stack it four layers high and every decision shows: the crumb, the balance of sweetness, how the filling holds the structure together. The fair’s cake contest handbook lists taste, appearance, moistness, and texture as the standards, and a tall layer cake tests all four at once.
Judging great food and developing great drinks have more in common than you’d think. The difference between good and exceptional is usually in the details. This time, those details came with considerably more butter and frosting than tequila.
The winning recipe will be printed in the 2027 edition of the State Fair’s Creative Arts cookbook, the annual collection of ribbon-winning recipes, so home bakers will get their own shot at it next year. Congratulations to everyone who made it this far. Reaching the finals is an accomplishment in itself, and if you want to see the winners in person, tickets are available online through the closing weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the State Fair of Texas Creative Arts Building?
The Creative Arts Building is at 1327 Admiral Nimitz Circle inside Fair Park, in South Dallas. Fair Park’s main address is 3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75210. The Competition Kitchen, where the Best of Show-Down takes place, is in the Creative Arts Building.
When is the 2026 State Fair of Texas?
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs Friday, September 25, through Sunday, October 18, for 24 consecutive days.
What are the State Fair of Texas hours?
The fair is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The last entry time is 9 p.m. each day.
How much are State Fair of Texas tickets in 2026?
Adult gate admission is $15 Monday through Thursday and $25 Friday through Sunday. After 5 p.m., adult admission drops to $10 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday. Children ages 3 to 12 pay $10 every day, and children ages 2 and younger are free. Online prices may include processing fees, and a digital season pass costs $52.
Where do you park for the State Fair of Texas?
Official parking is at Gate 2, 925 S. Haskell Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75223, and costs $25 per day. Parking on site is limited, so many visitors ride the DART Green Line to Fair Park Station, which sits at the fairgrounds entrance.
What is the Best of Show-Down at the State Fair of Texas?
The Best of Show-Down is the fair’s championship round for its cake, pie, and cookie contests. Blue-ribbon winners from the spring Battle for the Blue Ribbons compete in the Competition Kitchen, and one contestant from each category earns a Best of Show ribbon before advancing to a final head-to-head for the grand prize.
Can I enter the State Fair of Texas cake contest?
Yes, if you’re an amateur. The cake contest is open to home bakers of all ages, and chefs, professional cooks, and culinary teachers aren’t eligible. Entries are made through the State Fair’s Creative Arts registration site, and the 2027 contest dates will be announced on the fair’s website.
Where can I find the winning cake recipe?
The Best of Show German chocolate cake recipe will be printed in the 2027 State Fair of Texas Creative Arts cookbook, which collects each year’s ribbon-winning recipes.
How do I contact the State Fair of Texas?
You can call 469-945-FAIR or visit the official website at bigtex.com for schedules, tickets, and the Creative Arts winners list.