Pizza with scorpions and crickets and other fried concoctions

I didn’t get to try the pizza topped with scorpions, crickets and mealworms but it will no doubt go down as the most unusual and talked about food at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year.

I know that because of all the squeamish screams of the judges and the hyper media focus it generated March 5 during the Golden Buckle Foodie Awards. I had the privilege of being one of the media judges at the seventh annual contest. It was one of the tastiest things I’ve ever done in my journalism career.

I’ve never been one to be shy about tasting new foods as (as long as it doesn’t have onions) and I certainly would have tried the bug-laden pizza had it been served to my table. That honor went to the table behind me where Maggie Flecknoe, the morning host for CW39, provided apt theatrics and derring-do in facing down the creepy-crawly dish.

When asked afterward how it was, she said she couldn’t recall the taste as it took all her bravery just to get the bite down. It was a big bite!

I did get to try a wood-fried pizza, which was about the only thing I sampled that wasn’t deep-fried. OK, the Italian ice on ice cream wasn’t fried and it was really good. Of the deep-fried food, the jalapeno and cheese sausage corndog was really good. The best thing I tried – and it was one of the winners – was the fried brownie balls. Oh, man! That was indescribably scrumptious! I highly recommend those.

In all, my table was served a dozen samples to score in eight categories. I think the reason my table didn’t pick too many winners was because we had too much disagreement over what we did and didn’t like. For example, I hated the deep-fried kettle corn. My tablemate Dave Morales of Backstage OL gave it a 10 and praised it to no end. We clearly cancelled each other out.

Among the other foods I got to try were a breakfast burrito, fish nuggets and fries, bacon-wrapped pork belly, ribeye steak sandwich, bacon covered cinnamon roll, pork ribs and fried pecan pie on a stick.

Other than the fried kettle corn and the ribeye sandwich (it was smothered in onions and mushrooms – which I despise), I liked the food and could easily recommend it.

One of the challenges I faced aside from being a rookie food judge was that I had my braces tightened that morning and my teeth hurt. That didn’t deter me but it was an issue.

Going in, I was given plenty of advice. One was to find a quiet table where these domineering A-type TV and radio personalities wouldn’t overshadow me. I got there early and was alone at my table but still found myself surrounded by the most vocal group in the room. At least it was entertaining.

We were also reminded to pace ourselves, as this was a marathon, not a sprint. Not knowing how much to try, I actually left feeling hungry. I had no doubt exceeded my caloric intake for a single meal, but that’s a different story.

In all, it was a great time and the rodeo has some great food. Below are the contest winners. If you go to the rodeo, I’d suggest you bring a fat wallet and a big appetite. And if you find the fried brownie balls, don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you find the bug pizza, you have been warned!

Best Breakfast Food: Texas Skillet — Breakfast Cowboy Burrito

Best Value Food: Stubby’s Cinnamon Rolls — “The Original”

Best Food-on-a-Stick: Holmes Smokehouse — bacon wrapped sausage-on-a-stick

Best Fried Food: Custom Confections — fried brownie ball

Classic Fair Food: Holmes Smokehouse — gourmet Texas burger

Most Creative Food: Belgian Waffles — fried Sriracha balls

Best New Flavor: Holmes Smokehouse — baked potato with meat

Best Dessert: Stubby’s Cinnamon Rolls — “The Works”