Feb 16

Get Ready to Battle for the Blue Ribbons at the 2023 State Fair of Texas Cooking Competition: 45 Categories, 3 Contests, and 1 Grand Prize

The aroma of buttery cookies and freshly baked bread will lead you to the State Fair of Texas fairgrounds a little early this year.

The blue ribbon cooking competitions move to the Embarcadero Building in Fair Park in May rather than during the Fair’s fall run. Organizers say the change will draw more entrants and attention to the cooking contests. They’ve dubbed it “Battle for the Blue Ribbons.” Yeah, it’s a bit too FoodNetwork for me, too.

Regardless, the competition will combine three of the fair’s most popular Creative Arts cooking contests: Cookie, Cake, and Bread. First, second, third, and honorable mentions will be awarded in the 45 different categories available. There’s no minimum or maximum age requirement to enter. Winners will be announced at the 2023 State Fair of Texas on October 8.

Fair Warning: I’ve been a judge at these contests for more than a decade.

Here’s what’s what (More details here):

Friday, May 19, 2023 – Cookie
Chocolate
Chocolate Chip
Christmas
Gluten-free
Holiday (Any)
Lemon
Macaron
Macaroon
Oatmeal
Party
Peanut Butter
Shortbread
Snickerdoodle
Spice
Sugar

Saturday, May 20, 2023 – Cake

Layered Cake – Two Layers Only:
Carrot
German Chocolate
Gluten-free (Any)
Spice
White (No Yolks)
Yellow

Loaf, Bundt, or Sheet Cake:
Angel Food
Cupcakes (12)
Fruitcake
Gluten-free (Any)
Nut
Pound
Spice
Sweet Roulade (Cake Roll)
Upside Down Cake

Sunday, May 21, 2023 – Bread

Yeast Breads:
Bread (Cheese, Herb, Onion, etc.)
Gluten-free Bread (Any)
Loaf Bread, Other (Whole Loaf)
Loaf Bread, White (Whole Loaf)
Rolls, Dinner (12)
Sweetbread, Loaf, and Coffee Cakes
Sweetbread, Sweet Rolls (Cinnamon, Fruit, etc.)

Quick Breads (No added sauces or whipped cream):
Coffee Cake
Combo Bread (Fruit/Vegetable)
Cornbread
Fruit Bread (Apple, Banana, etc.)
Gluten-free Bread (Any)
Muffins (12)
Sourdough
Vegetable Bread (Pumpkin, Zucchini, etc.)

Here’s the rest of the cooking contest line-up this year: