Chicken Fried Steak Cook-Off Draws Many Hungry Spectators This Weekend

For decades, it was unanimous "Zentners' Steakhouse" on Sherwood Way, in San Angelo, sold the best Chicken Fried Steak ever. From Amarillo to Houston, it was rare to find a person who hadn't eaten there and loved it. Sadly, years ago, it closed and many have since been on the quest to find anything comparable. There is good news though. If you think you have the "secret recipe/skills" to master the art of cooking the best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas, whether you're a novice or a professional, there is a competition annually in Lamesa, Texas.

 
"Forrest Park" was the setting Friday and Saturday for the "6th Annual Chicken Fried Steak Festival." Administrative Assistant for the city and Event coordinator, Terri Stahl, said, "Over the years, our event has really grown, and people have come from as far away as Montana to participate. We host the event every year on the last weekend in April."  

Along with the main event, the "Chicken Fried Steak Cook-Off contest," there were also numerous other activities that were family friendly and free to the public.

 
Sebastian, 16, and dad Manuel Pedroza, said they heard about the volunteer judging opportunities, signed up, and were surprised to be picked. Sebastian, a Lamesa High school student, said he'd "never done anything like this before, but does love a good Chicken Fried Steak."

Only nine teams participated this year, but 15 judges sat ready to sample and score their offerings. Around 1 p.m., the first group of ten were instructed to judge based on five criteria. Wayne Smith, City Building inspector, was chief officiate and explained they would be judging according to taste, aroma, appearance, texture and overall (quality).

Four of the nine samples were eliminated after the first round, and then the judges were switched out for a fresh set of five. Plates of cheese and grapes, as well as bottled water, were provided to cleanse their palates in between sampling. It was a "double blind taste testing with only a number written on the top of each Styrofoam box, maintaining anonymity," said Smith. The final five judges took their time smelling, cutting, examining and tasting each sample while the anticipation of the cooks built outside the building. 

At 3 p.m., officials verified Sharon Scarborough of Lamesa's Texas Finest Cafe was 1st place, and "Browns Bar-B-Q LLC," out of Midland, came in second. Winners were given an engraved "skillet" (as a trophy) and monetary prizes in accordance of placement.

Other scheduled events included a "Chicken Fried Steak Dinner" Friday evening, and then Saturday morning, 20 hot air balloons, including one from England, filled the sky to get the day's events started. Just off Tenth street, in a large pavilion, the band "Two Tons of Steel" performed that evening, and their sound checks echoed through the airways during the day. Numerous volunteers drove around in golf carts, offering rides to event goers as many attractions were spread out for long distances. There was a 5k run, Classic Car show, Pet Contest, volleyball tournament (benefiting "Relay for Life"), countless carnival-type rides, and 130 vendor booths with anything and everything for sale. "Team roping" took place at the nearby rodeo grounds, and there was even a wine tasting event with spirits supplied by a local vineyard.

 
From water balloon slingshots to enormous slides and bounce houses, this event had it all. Amongst the excitement was an "Exotic Ranch and Stables Mobile Petting Zoo." There was a camel, llamas, zebras and kangaroos. Small ponies were available to ride, as well as the "barrel train."  

Jason Whitley, proprietor, walked amongst the crowd, and people of all ages and genders couldn't help but gasp and ask if they could hold his latest addition to their family. Whitley said, "Her name is Elsa, and she's a 4-week-old Marble Fox." He and his wife Debbie, of Levelland, brought a variety of animals they travel with to educate the public, who may not otherwise ever get to see such wonderful creatures. Jason said "they do all kinds of events," including, but not limited to, carnivals, rodeos, festivals, private parties and fundraisers."

 
"The only thing people paid for (this weekend) were vendors and rides, excluding the hot air balloon rides, which were free as well," said Stahl. She speculated the town with a population of around 9,000 hosted nearly 10,000 at the event over the weekend.  

"It's a family thing, and we always want people to come to it. It's the community that makes it work, as we have a lot of volunteers who put it all together, and our enjoyment is seeing how much fun families have coming out and doing this," she added.

Stahl wanted to especially thank the people who do their hospitality room: Claibornes, Texas Finest Cafe, McDonalds and all the sponsors who contributed towards the balloon events. The festival kicked off Friday starting at 4 p.m. and continued through Sunday morning with a community wide Church service.

 
Stahl added if anyone is interested in participating in next year's event, the information will be up on the city's webpage starting in January of 2017 at  http://www.ci.lamesa.tx.us.