The State Fair of Texas is known for its culinary creations, and there’s no better place to see Texans cooking up delicious concoctions than the State Fair of Texas Cooking Contests. Held during the Fair each year, amateur chefs compete in contests to bring home the coveted blue (or purple) ribbon and bragging rights. With four new contests this year, there’s a contest for every Texan to bring their own personal flavor.
Pre-registration is now available online at BigTex.com/CreativeArts, where you can also download the 2022 Cooking Contest handbook. Although pre-registration is not required, it is requested. Contestants may register on the day of the contest online or when they turn in their entries. Blank entry forms will be available on-site the day of the competitions. The cooking contests join the arts and crafts creative arts competition opportunities.
Following a two-year hiatus, the Big Tex BBQ & Chili Challenge makes a triumphant return to the pre-Fair cooking contest lineup. On Saturday, September 24, 2022, masters of the grill can compete in three different cook-off contests: the Big Tex BBQ Challenge, the Big Tex “No Rules” Chili Challenge, and a CASI sanctioned qualifying event, the CASI Chili Challenge. Get your grills ready – Texas-sized bragging rights and a Big Tex trophy are on the line!
In addition to the cooking contests and cook-offs, the Best of Show Cookbook is now available for purchase online. Featuring the best of the best over the past decade, this year’s cookbook celebrates the recipes that took home the top prize in their category. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, the Best of Show Cookbook will become your go-to place for exciting new recipes. To purchase the cookbook, please visit BigTex.com/Cookbook.
See below for a full schedule of the Fair’s Cooking Contests, which will be held in the Creative Arts Building during the Fair.
2022 State Fair of Texas Cooking Contests
| Date | Name of Contest |
| Saturday, October 1 | Cake Contest |
| Sunday, October 2 | Blue Ribbon Round-up Game Day Delights* |
| Monday, October 3 | Farm-to-Fork Contest |
| Honey Contest | |
| Black Jar / Polished Honey Contest | |
| Wednesday, October 5 | Cookie Contest |
| Low-to-NO Sugar Showdown Creative Cookies* | |
| Friday, October 7 | Bread Contest |
| Sunday, October 9 | Youth Cooking Contest |
| Tuesday, October 11 | Chocolate Contest |
| Speedy Dishes Contest | |
| Friday, October 15 | Pie Contest |
| Sunday, October 16 | Cowboy Cooking Contest |
| Be Creative with Mrs. Wages® Contest* | |
| Monday, October 17 | Cobbler Cook-off |
| Wednesday, October 19 | Pasta Contest* |
| Fair Concoctions Contest | |
| Thursday, October 20 | Post of Call Contest+ |
| Cajun Cookin’ Contest* | |
| Saturday, October 22 | Cooking with Cheese Contest |
| Tex-Mex Contest | |
| Sunday, October 23 | Candy Contest |
*denotes a new contest in 2022.
+denotes new categories of the contest in 2022.
The 2022 State Fair of Texas kicks off in 106 days, opening on Friday, September 30, and running through Sunday, October 23. Season passes are on sale now. Visit BigTex.com to purchase your season pass and plan your visit to this year’s State Fair.