By AMANDA KIMBLE
TheFlashToday.com
HICO (May 17, 2016) – For 13 consecutive years, backyard chefs have been ‘meating’ in the streets of Hico.
They come slinging tongs, sauces, dry rubs and marinades. They come with their grills in tow, claiming they deserve the bragging rights of grilling up the best rib-eye steak in the Lone Star State.
The event is the Annual Texas Steak Cookoff and Wine Festival. It is the largest steak cooking competition in the Southwest, welcoming tourists and foodies from across the country. The flavor is truly Texan.
The full day of flavorful, family-friendly fun begins at 10 a.m. this Saturday, May 21. In addition to a braised beef steak, the event offers live entertainment, access to the unique shops in the city’s historic downtown, visiting artisan vendors and a wine tasting featuring selections from Texas wineries.
Friday night entertainment includes the Push N Luck Band. The Saturday lineup features The Hot Texas Swing Band and The Pearl Snaps.
Cook off visitors with lighter appetites can purchase an appetizer wristband for $10. Wine tickets are $20 each. Dinner tickets, which includes a steak dinner with all the fixings and an appetizer wristband are $25.
So, you don’t can stand the heat on the streets? Previously known as the VIP dinner, check out the ‘Stay Cool and Help Hico Schools’ Steak Dinner and Fundraiser benefits the Hico Education Foundation. A few seats remain in the reserved seated, which is located on the second floor of Blue Star Home. VIP tickets are $100 each and include steak and all the fixings and patrons may bring their own adult beverages. For more information on education foundation select seating, contact Becky Holt at (254) 977-0990.
Whether you eat on the street or among the VIPs, the steaks are prepared by backyard chefs competing for the coveted title. They have the option of cooking with their fuel of choice – such as wood, charcoal or propane, but they cannot bring their own meats to the challenge, according to official contest rules.
What makes a good rib-eye steak? Entrees are judged on taste, appearance, texture and tenderness, with three groups of judges selecting the best 10. The top 30 are then judged against each other to determine the top 10 of the backyard chefs.
All tickets can be purchased online, but tickets must be picked up at will call on Saturday.
For more information about this daylong event with food, exhibits, shopping, musical entertainment and lots of fun, please log onto www.TexasSteakCookoff.com or call 817-875-5059.
The Texas Steak Cookoff is an annual initiative introduced by Hico’s Original Texas Steak Cookoff Committee and the City of Hico to promote economic growth and tourism.
The event got off to a modest start, but in 2008 the small Hamilton County town on fire, as FoodNetwork Challenge cameras rolled through the streets. The Texas Steak Cookoff has also been highlighted in Everyday with Rachael Ray and in Southern Living Magazine.
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