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The Fajita Cook-off is Back to Basics

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010


From L to R: Christopher Julian, founder and producer of the Cook-off and Richard Womeldorf, general manager with samples of the trophies to be awarded.

Texas Border Business----

           McAllen, Texas --- “Smokin Since 1976” is the theme of the original Fajita Cook-off. That’s because the very first Fajita Cook-off was held on Sunday July 4th, 1976. Do you know the location? Most say at Chimney Park on the banks of the Rio Grande in Madero, just south of Mission.

           “No, that was years 2 through 5,” says Christopher Julian Founder and producer of the Cook-off. The very first Fajita Cook-off was held on the County Courthouse parking lot on the square in Edinburg.

          The Cook-off ran for 15 years after that and became the largest and most popular outdoor festival the Valley had ever seen with crazy cooking teams competing with their favorite fajita recipes and family games and activities like sack race, egg toss, 3-legged race and watermelon seed spit.

          After 25 years, the Cook-off joined PalmFest as one of their major attractions and expanded to include BBQ competition sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association (IBCA).

           “This changed the entire dynamics of the contest,” said Richard Womeldorf, manager of the Cook-off. $10,000 in prize money was on the line and out of town Cooking Teams were very serious about winning their share of the money and IBCA points to be invited to the big national competition in Memphis.

          Cooking Teams were surveyed and here is what they said.

“Hey, this is too much work now, what happened to the good old days when we had fun cooking?”

          So, in celebrating the 34th year of the event, its back to basics and fun at PalmFest International Folklife Celebration held at the McAllen Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3.

No IBCA BBQ competition this year.

           Just the good ole fashion Fajita Cook-off, with Traditional and Gourmet fajita categories on Sunday October 3rd, 2010.

          On Saturday October 2nd 2010, there will be 3 fun filled competitions. Pan de Campo, Frijoles a La Charra, and Salsa Competition.

          The two day entry fee for all 5 categories is only $165. There will also be a showmanship Award for the Cooking Team that puts on the best show. Also as part of this event all the family games and activities as well as a huge Kiddie Carnival on both days.

          To enter the Cook-off call the Cook-off hot line at 956.682.5566 or go on line to RGVCookoff.com

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