Banana Cream Pie Sparks Debate at Texas State Fair

News Summary

At the State Fair of Texas, a banana cream pie stirred controversy by competing in the berry pie category during the annual baking competition. The inclusion of this unusual entry, amid the peak blueberry season, led to discussions about the botanical classification of fruits. Despite the uproar, Sarah Smith’s blueberry pie took home the top prize, highlighting the fair’s atmosphere of culinary creativity and competition among a record number of entries. As anticipation builds for the next fair in 2024, new food offerings promise to delight attendees.

Dallas, Texas – Controversy has emerged at the State Fair of Texas due to a banana cream pie competing in the berry pie category during the annual baking competition. The judging took place on a Sunday that coincided with the peak of blueberry season in Texas, adding to the tensions surrounding the entry.

The pie judging was conducted by a baker and pie crust expert, along with co-judge Christi Erpillo. Together, they assessed a total of 14 entries in the berry pie category, which featured a surprising 11 pies that included blueberries in some form. However, the unexpected inclusion of a banana cream pie raised eyebrows and resulted in intervention from fair officials. This incident led to an interesting discussion about the botanical classifications of fruits, where it was noted that bananas are technically categorized as berries, while traditionally recognized berry fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries are not.

Despite the uproar caused by the banana cream pie, it was ultimately overshadowed by the success of the winning pie in the category. Sarah Smith from Arlington took home the top prize with her blueberry pie, which boasted a delicious filling along with a light, flaky, and perfectly browned crust. Her pie was well-received among the judges, leading to a reassessment of blueberry pies overall.

This year’s State Fair saw impressive participation with a total of 313 contestants entering 1,036 baked goods including pies, cakes, and cookies. The cookie category stood out with a remarkable record of 464 entries, while the pie competition featured a total of 263 submissions. The variety and creativity displayed by participants affirmed the State Fair’s reputation as a hub for baking excellence.

Following the pie judging, the author expressed a newfound appreciation for blueberries, acknowledging the vibrancy and flavor they bring to baked goods. However, there remained some ambivalence regarding the banana’s role in what many consider a classic berry pie category.

What’s New for the 2024 State Fair of Texas

As the State Fair of Texas prepares for its upcoming event scheduled from September 27 to October 20, 2024, additional food offerings have been unveiled. Among the new delights, attendees can look forward to:

• Beso de Angel: A taco featuring a sugary fritter base filled with sweet crema, strawberry preserves, whipped cream, cajeta, and sliced strawberries.
• Bluebonnet Bliss: A refreshing mix of Vanilla Ice Cream Dippin’ Dots with Cherry ‘n Blue Razz Icee flavor.
• Caramel Macchiato Fritters: Fried coffee cake balls infused with a shot of espresso.
• Cheeseception: A unique sandwich within a sandwich comprising mushrooms, arugula, and prosciutto.
• Churro Crumble Cheesecake: Traditional New York-style cheesecake coated in Belgian chocolate and topped with churro crumbles.
• Crookie: A flaky croissant filled and topped with cookie dough, then baked and drizzled with syrup.
• Holy Cheeseus: A large pizza featuring a seven-cheese blend with various gourmet toppings.
• Lay’s® Potato Chip Drink: An innovative beverage that includes sweet and spicy flavors derived from Lay’s potato chips.
• Deep Fried Tablitas: Fried short ribs served with an assortment of dipping sauces.
• Standing on Business: A dessert featuring salted caramel ice cream in a sugar cone bowl, adorned with various sweets.

The State Fair continues to celebrate culinary creativity, inviting bakers, chefs, and fairgoers to embrace new flavors and traditions. As the excitement builds for next year’s event, it remains a cornerstone of Texas culture, drawing large crowds eager to sample the latest in fair cuisine.

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Additional Resources

• D Magazine: What I Learned When I Judged Pies for the State Fair of Texas
• Google Search: State Fair of Texas
• WFAA: State Fair of Texas Announces More New Foods 2024
• Wikipedia: Food Fair
• Dallas Express: Texas Boy Wins Blue Ribbon in Baking Competition
• Google Scholar: Texas baking competition
• NBC DFW: Foodie 411: Radici, Culpepper Cattle Co., and a Winning Blueberry Pie
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Blueberry Pie
• CultureMap Dallas: New Food Lineup at the State Fair of Texas
• Google News: State Fair food news