Think you’ve got the right kind of sizzle to take down the competition? Registration is still open for the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Fajita Festival.
The competition—which will run from 5 to 10 p.m. May 1 at Hodgetown, 715 S. Buchanan St.—is open to both corporate and restaurant teams.
I asked Ana Ramirez, executive director, for some insider tips on how best to smoke out a win. (This interview has been edited and condensed.)
Chip Chandler: Okay, so let’s start at the beginning. Why are fajitas such a popular food?
Ana Ramirez: You know, I think it’s because they’re yummy, and you can get so creative with it. People love grilling and putting their own spice to the meat.
CC: What, to you, makes them yummy?
AR: The sazón (spice mixture). And then, I mean, you can pack them with anything really. You can put sour cream on, you can put cheese on, you can put veggies on. You can make them as spicy as you want. So many options.
CC: How long has the fajita festival been going on?
AR: This is our sweet 16 years of the fajita festival.
CC: Why has it been such a popular fundraiser for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce?
AR: I think people just like the atmosphere. They get to hang out grilling. And people are proud of their grilling skills, so they get to be out there competing but also promoting their business.
CC: What should people know before they sign up to be a cook team? What are some tips?
AR: Prepare to have fun. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides the meats, the veggies, the tortillas, so really, they need the goodwill. Of course, they’ll bring their equipment, their prep tools, and their sazón, but everything else is pretty much have fun and come support a great organization
CC: And to win, what do they need to know?
AR: I think they want to get creative. You know, put their own spin on that presentation. Everybody has different taste buds, but I would say [teams should] put their own spice into their fajitas.
Entry fee for cook teams is $350. Sponsorships are available from $1,500 to $15,000. Call 806-379-8800.
Additional food-related highlights:
Taste of Achievement: 6 p.m. April 16; Amarillo Art Institute at Arts in the Sunset, 3701 Plains Blvd.; tickets $50, tables and sponsorships available; klong@jahighplains.org
Brandon Trey Borup: 7 p.m. April 16; Pondaseta, 1001 Second Ave. in Canyon; 806-656-5100
Western Cowpunchers Association Spring Gathering: 6 p.m. April 17 and 18; 10401 N. U.S. Highway 287; tickets $20 for meal, $20 for dance; 806-341-6462
Tracy Lawrence: 7:30 p.m. April 17; The Lumberyard, 850 N. 23rd St. in Canyon; tickets $94 to $239, plus fees; 806-804-3000
Prince Night: 8 p.m. April 17; Metropolitan Steak & Seafood, 9181 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1201; reservations $20; 806-242-0117
Erratic Soul & Friends: 9 p.m. April 17; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
The Tanner Lane Band: 9 p.m. April 17; Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
All-American Pancake Festival: 7 a.m. to noon April 18; AmTech Career Academy, 3601 Plains Blvd.; tickets $10; 806-373-0648
1887 Fest featuring Bart Crow and Battle of the Bands: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. April 18; Shark Beach Burgers, 1505 E. Farm-to-Market Road 1151; tickets $25 adults, $10 children; 806-335-5644
Fogel-Eurth 2026: noon to 6 p.m. April 18; Arts in the Sunset, 3701 Plains Blvd.; free, donations accepted; 806-680-2483
Rebel Rescue Rally: noon to 5 p.m. April 18; The Lumberyard, 850 N. 23rd St. in Canyon; 806-804-3000 or rebelrescuetx@gmail.com
Spring Moon Market: 5 to 9 p.m. April 18; Fourth Avenue and 15th Street in Canyon; 806-567-0746
The Shane Rogers Band: 9 p.m. April 18; Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
575 Pizzeria Remembers Bob Weir: 9:30 p.m. April 18; 2803 Civic Circle; tickets $30; 806-331-3627
High Society tea party: 3:30 p.m. April 19; Idol Art Studio, 1201 S. Polk St.; 806-236-4128
Cadillac Ranch: 10 Cadillacs, 10 Movements, 1 Stunning Performance dinner and screening: 6 p.m. April 23; Panhandle PBS, 2408 S. Jackson St.; tickets $75; 806-371-5222
Cameron James Smith: 6 p.m. April 23; Walk On’s Sports Bistreaux, 3506 Soncy Road; 806-398-2003
Taylor Patterson: 7 p.m. April 24; The Lumberyard, 850 N. 23rd St. in Canyon; no cover; 806-804-3000
Jack Cryver & Bad Decisions: 9 p.m. April 24; Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Kerry Freeman: 9 p.m. April 24; Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Smokey Fest: noon to 11 p.m. April 25; Smokey Joe’s, 2903 S.W. Sixth Ave.; 806-331-6698
Willy Wiggs: 8 p.m. April 25; Golden Light Beer & Wine Garden, 6014 S. Western St.; 806-221-2337
Matt Kirk with Chancy Bernson: 9 p.m. April 25; Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover; 806-374-9237
Park Road 5 Pale Ale Release: 5 p.m. April 30; Pondaseta, 1001 Second Ave. in Canyon; 806-656-5100
Cigar Night: 6 p.m. April 30; Cask and Cork, 5461 McKenna Square, Suite 101; reservations $89; 806-410-1113
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