New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness and Historic Silver City Are Calling
Photos and text courtesy of the Town of Silver City
If you live in Amarillo, you’ve very likely been to Dallas. Maybe the idea of a road trip to the Big D doesn’t seem particularly inspiring. But that’s because you’ve never been to the “Olympics of Food.” If not, this could be your year.
The annual World Food Championships were cancelled last year but are back this fall. Also known as the “Ultimate Food Fight Experience,” this event is regularly described as one of the top food festivals in the United States. This year, it takes place in Dallas, and its public Flavor Fest programming is set for Nov. 5-7 at Fair Park.
From “Grilling Grannies” to exclusive, award-winning VIP tastings, there are plenty of mouthwatering opportunities for foodies of all ages to take a bite out of the event. “It’s exciting to know that we’re only a few months away from the most robust and fun-filled food fest we’ve ever produced,” says Mike McCloud, President and CEO of WFC. “We have already seen an enormous amount of momentum on the competition side with more than 40 states represented in our team count, almost all of our judging positions are already filled, and tickets are selling at a record-breaking rate.”
WFC’s multi-day throwdown and Flavor Fest feature more than 20 tasting experiences for attendees, while also hosting more than 1,500 cooks—from celebrity chefs to pro teams to home cooks—in a major “food fight” that rewards the winners with a $300,000 prize purse.
With general admission tickets starting at $15, the general public also has plenty to tingle their taste buds:
BBQ Ranch: Back by popular demand, WFC and its barbecue partners will be serving up free fixins for Texas-sized appetites. Pitmasters and celebrity chefs will fire up thousands of pounds of barbecue in a ranch-style block party, from the hottest grills and barbecue pits on the market for foodies to savor and enjoy..
Beat the Beefer: The inventors of the original Beefer are coming back to WFC to give its steak competitors the chance to win extra cash using a German-based, top-down searing machine that generates a stunning 1,500 degrees of Fahrenheit heat within seconds. This is a sizzling must-see!
Biscuits & Jampionships: WFC has once again partnered with the Dallas-based jam and jelly company, The Jelly Queens, to bring back the “Biscuits and Jampionships” ancillary chef competition. Determined through an online recipe contest months prior, 10 finalists will recreate their recipe submissions in person at WFC for an esteemed panel of judges. This delicious and quirky contest is always full of fun surprises, thanks to the lovable Jelly Queen herself, Donna Collins.
Bourb’N’Que: What do you get when you mix premium bourbon tastings with delicious ribs prepared by the best pitmasters in America? The best barbecue block party in Dallas history. If you’re a foodie who loves barbecue and bourbon, don’t miss this event.
Brunch Bar: Brunch is big in the Lone Star State, and this new foodie experience has attendees sipping mimosas at the Bubble Bar, grabbing coffee from the Cattle Dog Coffee Corner, indulging in savory drinks at the Bloody Mary Bar and more.
Champion’s Table: Feast on exclusive tastings from WFC’s previous champions as you sample $100,000 worth of award-winning dishes, perfectly paired with cocktails to enhance your experience. This luxury tasting event takes place next to the heat of WFC’s live-action culinary competition in Kitchen Arena. It’s available only to VIP patrons.
Fire Woman: Ninety minutes. Four award-winning female pitmasters. One challenge. Zero help. Need we say more? Who will rise from the smoke to take home the Fire Woman title and cash prize?
Hall of Taste: WFC attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of complimentary food-related products as they enter the gateway to Kitchen Arena. From exclusive Texas bites to hidden gems throughout America and the world, this area will warm up everyone’s palates as the perfect prep for the sights, sounds and smells of WFC.
VIP Lounge: Want to sip and savor in comfort while taking in all the WFC action? Then make the VIP Lounge your destination. Attendees enjoy a separate entrance to the main event, a private cash bar, TV screens to keep up to date on all of the action, complimentary chef demos and sampling, featured cocktails and refreshments, and more. VIP weekend passes start at $185.
Learn more at tastewfc.com.
