I was invited to the Media Preview Day of the California State Fair and Food Festival last week and wow I was pleasantly surprised with the food options that are available this year. I know for many of us the food is one of the main reasons we love going to the Fair, there is food on a stick, deep-fried goodies, and always a unique take on some food item. Funnel Cakes and Corn Dogs are Fair Food classics and for our family, we always partake in the delicious fresh made cinnamon rolls, it's an annual tradition.
If you are looking to save money at the fair the food festival pass is the way to go. Keep in mind if you can visit the fair on a Monday you can get in FREE by bringing 3 non-perishable food items per person to the California State Fair before 3 p.m. If you have kiddos visit on Kid-Free Tuesdays, FREE admission for kids 12 and under and $2 rides for all ages.
The California State Fair held its inaugural Food Festival Competition on Saturday, July 13. With 30 food vendors participating in the competition, judges tasted more than 30 items and gave out awards in five categories: Side, Dessert, Fruity, Fried, and Entrée. There were two Best of Division winners, and one ultimate Best of Show winner.
The top prize went to Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls for their Bacon Pecan Cinnamon Roll. I am totally not surprised at this, they are absolutely the best. I love that you can watch the cinnamon rolls being made as well as take home some to bake in your own oven. I loved the classic Cinnamon Roll, after trying the new Bacon Pecan one, OMG, definitely a MUST when you are visiting the Fair this year! You can find a list of the winners at the end of this post.
I was wowed with the Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Bowl by The Bacon Habit, what a beautiful presentation and not your typical food on a stick. The serving size was huge, I loved the pineapple chunks on the bottom of the scooped out pineapple, the chicken was moist and flavorful and the rice balanced it all out and made it quite filling.
I am not a Vegan but have many Vegan friends so I was so happy to see a Vegan Food option at the California State Fair. The owner of Frik' N Vegan shared his heart on why he became Vegan and shared his heart on wanting to make delicious food that his non-Vegan friends would love and appreciate, his passion and love came through in his food. You can find Frik' N Vegan inside Building B. Tell your Vegan friends, and even if you are not Vegan, this is a healthy food option, I'm not Vegan but loved his take on a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, seitan created with love on a toasted roll topped with cashew cheese and fresh bell peppers and onion as well as a choice of marinara sauce on the side or on. They also have vegan buttery popcorn, nachos, and strawberry ice cream bars. You can also ask about their secret menu and gluten-free options!
As a funnel cake fan, I had not tried the Mexican Churro Style funnel cake, WOW, absolutely delicious, thank you to Gringos Mexican Funnel Cakes. You have the right amount of crunch like a churro, and also the chewy goodness of a typical funnel cake, topped off with whipped cream and on mine caramel sauce drizzled on top, other toppings are available. I could not finish the entire funnel cake so I brought the rest home, and I am happy to report, my boys finished it off with joy. Because of the churro style, it was not soggy it held it's texture.
I tried the NEW chocolate covered bacon sprinkled with Tajin, YUM! All of my favorite foods in one, this was delicious thank you again to The Bacon Habit. I love Tajin on anything and chocolate covered bacon, the best of both worlds sweet and savory.
California State fairgoers appear to be hungry for more excitement, as this year’s brand new Fair Food Festival Pass sold so fast, that more were ordered even before the Fair opened its gates. The California State Fair & Food Festival officially opened last Friday with big crowds, eagerly awaiting to get in. “We’re so thrilled Opening Day was such a great success; it’s fun seeing so many people and families out having a good time, and of course, eating at our 100 food booths,” said Rick Pickering, Cal Expo General Manager, and CEO. “We’ve worked hard to make this year’s State Fair the best yet – a fair for all Californians up and down the state. The food festival and the new Food Festival Pass are just part of what we have in store for the next two and a half weeks.”
The Food Festival Passes have been so popular that more have already been ordered for visitors to the fair in the weeks to come. People who purchase the Food Festival Pass can select four items from more than 30 different food vendors – including appetizers, entrees desserts, and more – all for only $28, (a $40 value). Nearly 30 food vendors created new food items for this year’s State Fair. A list of what you can get can be found here.
The Food Festival Pass can be purchased at the State Fair Box Office, Guest Services or at select State Fair Souvenir Shops. Food Festival Passes purchased online are picked up at the State Fair Box Office, prior to entering the Fair. It can be used by anyone, any day of the State Fair. The California State Fair & Food Festival runs through July 28th at Cal Expo.
Fairgoers are also encouraged to visit the website at CaStateFair.org or download the CA State Fair app where they can map out all of their eating adventures.
Here are the Food Festival Winners:
Best of Show
Bacon Pecan Cinnamon Roll - Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls
Best of Division - SAVORY
Elote Fries - Sharky’s
Best of Division - DESSERT
Bacon Pecan Cinnamon Roll - Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls
SIDE
Gold:
Roasted Chicken Taquitos - Pepe's Pollo Vaquero
Elote Fries - Sharky’s
Silver:
Italian “Alps” Nachos - Pignotti’s Gourmet Snacks
Loaded Tator Tots - Golden Bear Grill
Bronze:
Frik’n Vegan Nachos - Frik’n Vegan
Orange Chicken Fries - Pon's Chinese Food
DESSERT
Gold:
Cookie Dough Sundae - Pizza
Bacon Pecan Cinnamon Roll - Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls
Silver:
Chimney Cake Cone - Chimney Cake Cones
Cotton Candy Bunny - Sweet Art Cotton Candy
Oreo Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich - Monster Cookies
Bronze:
Oreo Sundae - Suck It Up
Spicy Chocolate Covered Bacon - The Bacon Habit
Unicorn Kettle Corn - German Kettle Popcorn
FRUITY
Gold:
Mangonada Shaved Ice - Shaved Ice
Silver:
Strawberry Pineapple Shortcake Sundae - California Ice Cream Company
Ice Cream in a Pineapple - Ice Cream in a Fruit
Bronze:
Green Monster Smoothie - Country Fair Cinnamon Roll
Passionate Pineapple Smoothie - Ice Cream in a Fruit
Pina Colada Smoothie - Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls
FRIED
Gold:
Deep Fried Caramel Apple Pie - J & L Sweeties
Silver:
Deep Fried Chicken Skins - Eat at Joe’s
Milo’s Monster Corndog - Milo’s
Bronze:
Deep Fried Banana Hot Dog - Hot Doggin'
Deep Fried Fanta - Sweet Cheeks Fried Treats
Pizza Funnel Cake - Pennsylvania Dutch Funnel Cakes
Jalapeno Corndog - Rainbow’s End/Candytown
ENTREE
Gold:
Burnt Tri Tip Ends Sandwich - Eat at Joe’s
Silver:
Beef Taco Salad - The Original State Fair Soft Taco
Chicken or Carne Asada Taco Plate - Fiesta’s Mexican
Bronze:
Vegan Philly Cheesesteak - Frik’n Vegan
Grizzly Mac Attack Mac & Cheese - Montana Q BBQ
Hot Cheeto Chicken Burrito - Chili Peppers
Cap’n Crunch Chicken Sliders - Boss Burger
About the California State Fair
The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs worldwide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology and the diversity of its people, traditions, and trends that shape the Golden State's future. We invite you to join us for the 166th California State Fair, July 12-28, 2019.
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