The State Fair of Texas is back with something bigger and BATTER than ever. Join us in the Embarcadero Building at Fair Park on May 19 through May 21 for Battle for the Blue Ribbons — a new State Fair cooking competition consisting of three of the Fair’s most popular Creative Arts cooking contests: Cookie, Cake, and Bread. Contestants of all ages may enter for the chance to be awarded first, second, third, and honorable mention. Each contestant may enter all three contests, limited to six submissions per contest with one submission per category. Choose your battle(s) wisely with 45 different categories across the three contests to choose from:
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
Two Divisions
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
Two Divisions
Yeast Bread
- 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 Bread (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.)
All 45 blue-ribbon winners will be invited to compete in their perspective contest at the Best of Show-Down in the Competition Kitchen during the 2023 State Fair of Texas on October 8, 2023. One contestant from each of the three contests will be awarded a Best of Show ribbon, allowing them to advance to a head-to-head battle for the Best of Show-Down grand prize! Whether you choose to showcase treasured family recipes or new and innovative dishes, we look forward to seeing what you come up with to kick off this new and tasty competition.
Creative Arts has a rich history filled with favored traditions, and we are excited to expand the program by adding a new competition to the mix. You may be a returning competitor, an aspiring home cook, or just someone looking for a new challenge, either way, we cannot wait to see the treats you bring to the table! For more rules and information on Battle for the Blue Ribbons, as well as the 2023 cooking contest calendar, please visit BigTex.com/Battle.
