Cotton candy bacon among winners at the State Fair of Texas’ annual food competition

Cotton candy bacon, a Dominican-inspired corn dog and sugary pickles are all winners at the State Fair of Texas .

The fair announced the winners of its 20th annual Big Tex Choice Awards food competition Thursday. The annual competition pits concessionaires vying to have their food featured at the fair, which is from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20.

Over the last few weeks, 65 entries were whittled to 24 semifinalists , 10 finalists and finally three winners in these categories: Best Taste—Savory,” “Best Taste—Sweet,” and “Most Creative.”

The three winners took home a trophy and will have their foods featured heavily at the fair. As for the other finalist concessionaires, they still have the option to sell their sweet and savory creations at this year’s event.

Five celebrity judges cast the winning votes, including The Ticket radio host Donovan Lewis, food journalist Leslie Brenner, Wingstop franchise restaurateur Calvin Golden, chef Nikky Phinyawatana and Karbach Brewing Co. co-founder Brad Batson.

Here’s who won at the Big Tex Choice Awards:

Best Taste—Savory: Dominican Fritura Dog

Justin Martinez’s Dominican Fritura Dog took home top honors in the savory competition. Here’s the food description from the fair:

“This savory dish brings an explosion of flavor that starts with fritura cheese and Dominican salami. Taking classic fair food up a notch, this dish is then double deep fried with their famous corn dog batter. Split open and topped with garlic plantain chips, top-secret Dominican sauce, and cilantro, the Dominican Fritura Dog will bring you the best of salty and sweet with an explosion of Dominican flavor.”

The judges said the dish was crunchy, tangy, spicy and had solid presentation. One judge highlighted the sheer size of the item and how a fork and knife were needed to dig in.

Martinez took the award in stride and gave thanks to his late father in his acceptance speech.

“My dad has been out here since 1977, so this is in honor of him, he passed away earlier this year,” Martinez said. “We miss him and we love him.”

Best Taste—Sweet: Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick

Isaac Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick took top honors in the sweet category. Here’s the food description from the fair:

“This masterful combination of sweet and savory flavors comes to life with the cotton candy bacon on a stick — a thick, 12-inch piece of bacon cooked to perfection with a cotton candy glaze on top. The bacon is spun inside a cotton candy machine and torched to caramelize the center and lock in that sweet flavor.”

The judges were awestruck when the cotton candy bacon made its way to their tasting tables. One judge said they were “blown away” by the dish, while another pointed out how unique the concept is.

Rousso happily accepted the award and shed light on how the creation was cooked up.

“What we were trying to think of is to find something that folks could walk through the fair with and drink a beer with,” Rousso said. “It was important to come up with something unique.”

Most creative: Texas Sugar Rush Pickles

Heather Perkins’ Texas Sugar Rush Pickles was named the most creative dish at this year’s competition. Here’s the food description from the fair:

“These cotton-candy-flavored pickle slices are coated in three cereal varieties — Lucky Charms, Froot Loops and Cap’n Crunch — and then layered in cotton candy, cotton candy sugar crystals and powdered sugar before being drizzled with strawberry sundae syrup. As if that wasn’t enough, these dressed-up pickles are served with a helping of vanilla ice cream, adding a perfectly cool touch to this crazy concoction.”

The judges were overwhelmed in a positive way from the dish, noting that there was “so much going on.” One judge said the sour and sweet combination balanced together well.

Perkins kept her acceptance speech short and sweet.

“This is a blessing,” Perkins said. “I’m honored, I’m grateful and I’m ready for more.”

The other Big Tex Choice Awards finalists

These seven items also competed in the Big Tex Choice Awards.

The Drowning Taquitos by Tony and Terry Bednar

Served in a cup, these fresh, hand-rolled corn tortillas are stuffed with tender shredded chicken and then deep-fried to perfection. To further encapsulate the savory flavor, the taquitos are then “drowned” with a tangy cream sauce, jalapeño, guacamole salsa, shredded lettuce, avocado, tomatillo, pico, and Cotija cheese.

Hippie Chips by Rose and Tom Deschenes

These far-out wavy potato chip nachos promise to deliver “every flavor profile” with your choice of either zesty homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing, topped with bacon bits, fresh green onions, and a tangy drizzle of sriracha. You can be extra funky and add blue cheese crumbles if you’re so inclined.

Hot Chick-in-Pancake Poppers by Palmer and Amanda Fortune

They’re savory, they’re sweet, and they’re easy to eat. Authentic Nashville hot chicken and pimento cheese are rolled into a ball, dunked into pancake batter, and fried to a golden brown, then topped with a drizzle of sriracha honey and a sprinkle of Nashville hot powdered sugar.

Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs by Nick and Vera Bert

These bombs take mouthwatering brisket wrapped with shredded potatoes, bacon, and cheese, deep fry it, and top it with a raspberry chipotle barbecue glaze drizzled to add the perfect touch of sweetness.

Nevins Nutty Bar-laska by Tami Nevins-Mayes and Josey Mayes

This sweet treat takes the classic nutty bar and adds toasted marshmallow, two Oreos, strawberry sauce, and freeze-dried strawberry pieces.

Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle by Justin Martinez

This sweet treat was inspired by the flavors of New Orleans beignets and the childhood nostalgia of Pop-Tarts and waffles, all put together on a stick. The strawberry Pop-Tarts beignetffle is a heavenly combination of a fluffy beignet and a crispy waffle topped with homemade strawberry filling, a sweet vanilla icing drizzle, fresh whipped cream, and garnished with colorful sprinkles.

Tropical Two-Step Punch by Binh Tran

To give fairgoers a taste of paradise, this punch marinates fruits like citrus, passion fruit and mango overnight to create a crisp cooler that’s fresh, tangy, sweet, sour and spicy. Available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, this thirst quencher is sure to help you cool down on a hot day at the fair.