The 12th annual Texas Steak Cook Off and Wine Festival is just around the corner. On Saturday, May 16, 2015, cooks, wineries, vendors, and tourists from around the state will make their way to historic downtown Hico, Texas – come rain or shine. Hico is just 90 minutes southwest of the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex and approximately two hours north of Austin on scenic U.S. 281.
The Texas Steak Cook Off is the largest steak cook off in the Southwest, drawing thousands of tourists from all over the country to watch Back Yard Chefs compete for over $11,000 in prize money along with the notable title of who cooks "The Best Steak in Texas."
The chefs also have another opportunity to win prize money with the fan favorite- the Hors d'oeuvres Competition. This portion allows the public to interact with the chefs while sampling amazing food before the big event. The public is invited to enjoy the fun and purchase tickets that include a rib-eye steak dinner with all the fixin's and a chance to win several door prizes for $25.
There is also a Wine Festival showcasing wines from around Texas. This event allows those 21 and over to purchase a ticket that gives them access to tastings from all participating wineries along with a commemorative wine glass.
Besides a great steak dinner and wine tasting, attendees and participants can enjoy shopping and live entertainment. For those inclined to a more exclusive event at the steak cook off, we offer the opportunity for attendees to purchase tickets to a VIP Dinner.
This year's feature celebrity chef is Bubba Frank from The Turtle Restaurant in Brownwood, TX. He has been featured in numerous publications, including Texas Monthly, Texas Highways, and Edible Austin and has been invited to several exclusive events. For more about the VIP Dinner chef, you can see www.chefsroll/chefbubba.com
To purchase tickets to any portion of the event, please visit www.TexasSteakCookoff.com or call 254-796-4620 ext. 4. Don't wait, tickets sell out fast.
Event Accolades: Food Network Challenge displayed the 2008 Cook off and it was highlighted in EveryDay with Rachael Ray! The town of Hico has been featured in numerous publications, including the November 2009 issue of Southern Living magazine.
Event Premium Sponsors: Kroger, Nolan Ryan All-Natural Beef, and the Texas Beef Council will sponsor this year's event. Nolan Ryan Beef will provide the featured 12-ounce boneless rib-eye steaks, which are all-natural, 100% Texas beef. "With our long-standing partnership with Nolan Ryan Beef and Kroger's sponsorship, it seemed only natural to include the Texas Beef Council this year to represent the best Texas has to offer," said Mike James, chairman of the Texas Steak Cook Off.
After visiting a steak cookoff in Magnolia, Arkansas, Stan Bundy, at the time Mayor of Hico and a man drawn to big and bold ventures, was impressed by the event's tourist appeal. Then and there, he decided to start a Steak Cookoff in Hico.
Under Stan's leadership, Hico's first Texas Steak Cookoff was put together by City staff and a host of volunteers. That first event of May 22, 2004 was small; only approximately 15 cookers entered. But, it was successful, and a seed was planted for an event that would grow with each passing year. The second year, the Cookoff was handed-over to the Hico Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The third year, with an investment in additional advertising, the Cookoff brought 16 backyard chefs, 5 professional chefs, several vendors, wineries and approximately 2000 guests to Hico.
Food Network's coming to the 5th Annual Steak Cookoff in 2008 proved to be a real turning point for the event. That year, the number of backyard chefs almost doubled, increasing to 27.
The next year, the number of cookers jumped to 75 and has continued to increase every year since. The Texas Steak Cookoff has grown to included 105 cookers, 15 wineries, 70 vendors and over 6500 guests. Last year, the event generated over $43,000 in direct revenues for the community. Indi rectly, local businesses benefitted from all the tourist traffic, with local retail sales increasing an average of 12 to 14%.
A member of GO TEXAN, over the past 4 years the Texas Steak Cookoff has benefited from grants for advertising and promotional materials. Thanks to GO TEXAN and corporate sponsors like Kroger, Nolan Ryan's All Natural Meat, the Texas Beef Council, and many others, this event has become a Texas-sized success, promoting our Great State and its beef industry. The Texas Steak Cookoff is the largest event of its kind in Texas, now attracting even more cookers than the mother event in Magnolia, proving the adage true that "Everything's bigger in Texas."
The proceeds realized from the Texas Steak Cookoff are a blessing to the community, helping various youth and social organizations. Additionally, the Hico EDC uses its share of the annual Cookoff proceeds to invest in projects which enhance the quality of life for those living in the Hico community. Most recently, $15,000 was provided to assist the Civic Club, Memorial Scholarship Foundation and the City in constructing an outdoor stage in Hico City Park.
