Ladies and gentlemen, if you ever have the opportunity to sample a dessert competition, give it a try.  So many beautiful creations and delightful tastes were entered in the United Methodist Church of Bonham’s Family Life Center Decadent Dessert Extravaganza April 20, 2008.  You should have been there!  I’ve judged many things in my life, but desserts were a first.  Special thanks to column reader and old friend Karen M. Butler for getting me involved in this sweet-tooth event. 

My kitchen’s other adventure the same weekend occurred on Saturday, April 19, 2008.  We arrived at the Richardson, Texas Bike Mart at 8:40 a.m.  A beautiful bright, sunshiny day with nary a cloud in the sky.  Bicycle riders of all ages were preparing for the day’s training rides for the big MS 150 bicycle ride from Frisco to Fort Worth May 3-4, 2008. 

All training rides are conducted to raise money for a worthy charitable cause.  The Richardson Team Bike Mart (www.bikemart.com) began in 2002 and is approaching breaking the $1 million milestone in its charity raising donations since that time. 

 Richardson Bike Mart Manager Ken “Woody” Smith announces the next group road ride

Tim Harper became an amateur cyclist last year.  He and his family have really gotten into the spirit of the vigorous exercise as well as the camaraderie and fellowship of the riders.  Tim is also an Atmos Energy Company employee.  He coordinated the company’s cookout to feed the bicycle riders and to raise money for MS. 

Tim Harper, right, explains Big Tex to two riders

Richardson Bike Mart provided all the food and drinks for the event while Atmos Energy donated the use of their giant cooker Big Tex.  Atmos Energy employees volunteered to cook, donating their time and efforts. 

Volunteer cooks from Atmos Energy Company cranked up the fires on Big Tex at 9:00 a.m. 

Atmos Energy Company employees Mark Kelly, left, and Frank Guzman

 Atmos Energy Company employees Frank Guzman, left, Mark Kelly, and Rodney Kuhlman

Big Tex is an awesome cooking machine made completely from scrap pipeline parts and volunteer worker efforts.  The true meaning of recycling.  This grill/smoker/fryer/you name it machine is over 45 feet long.  It weighs in at over 12,300 pounds and uses compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel or wood for the smoker. 

The first of 60 riders in the morning’s first road ride returned from their 80 mile adventure at 10:00 a.m.

As you can imagine, the bike riders had worked up an incredible appetite. 

All that energy was expended in the hot April Texas sunshine in their invigorating bicycle training rides.  Reports of wildflowers blooming on the Texas roadways were plentiful.  Lady Bird Johnson would be so proud. 

If you’re not a bicycle rider, think about making a donation pledge for a friend who is one.  It’s truly a great sport and it’s definitely for a very worthy cause.  The day definitely broadened my horizons and hopefully yours too. 

My thanks to my recipe tester, co-photographer, and grill teacher, Frank, who requested my participation in this fun event.  Yes, he’s my better half and also known as Papa to our four precious grandsons. 

Please keep your photos, comments, suggestions, and questions coming to me.  I’m always looking for new experiences to share with you readers and fellow cooks.  You never know what’s coming around the corner.  Remember, it’s kathrynguzman@kathrynstexaskitchen. 

In our next adventure, we’ll return to the backyard grill and see what new yummy meals we find to cook. 

Until next time, bon appétit!