From Hot Dogs to Hot Wings…

Special Events Lure Home Cooks to the Tri-State Fair

Release Date: Sept. 14, 2007

Cakes, casseroles, pies and salsas will be making their way hot from ovens across Amarillo and the Panhandle to the Texas Ford Dealers Tri-State Fair and Rodeo for the special culinary events where entrants can earn cash and prizes.

The newest addition to the culinary competitions is the Amarillo Dillas Hot Dog Cooking Contest, open only to youth, said Sue Church, Texas Cooperative Extension agent in Potter County.

Scheduled for 3pm Sept. 22, contestants will have to submit a recipe that features a hot dog to win up to $10 for first, $7.50 for second and $5 for third. All recipes will then become property of the Amarillo Dillas baseball club.
The competition is broken in three age groups (5-8, 9-13 and 14-19) and a hot dog dish with recipe will admit the contestant (only) to the fairgrounds at Gate 2 between 2pm and 3pm.

The following is an outline of the specialty contests open for entrees from the general public during the Tri-State Fair. In each case, only the entrant will receive free gate admission one hour prior to the start of the competition. All entrants must go to Gate 2.
 – The Great American Spam Championship is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 15. The adult contest offers a national grand prize of $3,000, plus local awards of $150 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third. The Kids SPAM Chef of the Year contest, open to youth ages 7-17, offers a $2,000 national prize. Each recipe must use at least one 12-ounce can of Spam, have 10 ingredients or less, and take no longer than 30 minutes to cook. A Spam chef statement also will be part of the presentation criteria.
 – The annual Arrowhead Mills Dessert contest is set for Sept. 15, with judging starting at 6 p.m. All desserts must have at least one cup of any Arrowhead Mills product in it. Prizes are $150 for first, $75 for second and $50 for third, plus rosettes and merchandise from Arrowhead Mills.
 – The Quick and Tasty Casserole Contest will be Sept. 18, with judging at 6 p.m. The casserole must be prepared at home and have 10 ingredients or less. Sponsored by Marty’s, the top three placings will be awarded $250, $150 and $100, respectively.
 – VIP Pecan Pie Contest will be Sept. 19. Judging will be at 6 p.m. Bakers can enter more than one pie, but only one award will be given per contestant. The Tri-State Fair Board-sponsored contest will award $100 to first, $50 to second and $25 to third.
 – Abuelo’s Homemade Salsa Contest will be Sept. 20, with judging at 6 p.m. The base ingredient will not be limited to tomatoes this year. Entries must be one pint or larger. The salsa must have been prepared within three days of the event. Winners will receive $100 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third.
 – The Bread from a Bread Machine Contest will take place Sept. 21. Judging will begin at 6 p.m. Enter one loaf of any variety of yeast bread made from start to finish in an electric bread machine. Loaves may be one or two pounds, round or square. Prizes offered are $100 to first, $50 to second and $25 to third. The contest is sponsored by the Texas Wheat Producers.
 – The Tri-State Fair Favorite Nutritious Snack Contest (youth only) will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 22. Each recipe must have three to six ingredients and include a statement on what makes it a nutritious snack. Prizes offered are $10 for first, $7.50 for second and $5 for third.
 – The Hot Wings Contest will be judged at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22. Each entry must consist of 10 chicken hot wings using 10 or fewer ingredients (no commercial sauces). Sponsored by Marty’s, the top three places will be awarded $100, $75 and $25, respectively.