Our intentions have been to attend the Chile Pepper Magazine’s annual ZestFest in Fort Worth, Texas, for a number of years.  However, other obligations always took precedence and we never made it.  Until this September that is.  Despite the torrential North Texas rains and numerous freeway accidents we passed en route, my stead worthy driver and husband got us to our Fort Worth destination and back home to Mesquite safe and sound. 

We presumed that with all the rain there wouldn’t be that many people out and about.  Boy, howdy, were we wrong!  Not only was ZestFest 2009 happening, there was a Fort Worth Stock Show Equestrian event in the grounds just down the street from ZestFest, as well as a weekend flea market across the street and a children’s event right next door in the same building as ZestFest.  And the North Texas Tea Party Express was going strong in nearby downtown. 

 

Fort Worth is a great place for events, but can you please space them out a little?  They do not have to all be on the same weekend!  Parking was next to impossible and would almost be described as horrible because of the heavy rain.  Worse than any parking problems we’ve ever experienced at the State Fair of Texas on any given day.

 

The crowds at ZestFest 2009 were in the thousands at the least.  This event definitely needs a bigger venue for all the people who were attracted to it than the space in which it was held. 

 

 

We tasted lots of great products of all kinds, bought more than a few, and met tons of wonderful people. 

 

 

We also got to see and share hugs with our CASI friend Cindy Reed, the only two time in a row CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) Terlingua International Chili Cookoff champion.  She and her team were giving out samples of her nationally award winning chili and her other delicious products at the Cin Chili & Co. booth. (www.cinchili.com)

 

 

Miss Texas 2009 Kristen Blair was also there and making plans to compete in the Miss America contest this year. 

 

 

Fort Worth restaurateur Jon Bonnell, owner and executive chef of Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, was also on site and happily giving food demonstrations as well as cheerfully signing his newly released cookbook, Jon Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine.  I have promised myself (and my husband) that I would not collect any more cookbooks, as my shelves are out of room.  However, I could not help myself from buying Chef Bonnell’s new cookbook.  Such a North Texas treasure we have in Chef Bonnell and his unique style of Texas cooking.  We will cook one of his recipes in a future column. 

 

 

When we arrived at ZestFest 2009, they were just about to start the first preliminary round of the chicken wing eat-a-thon contest.  The winner from each round had to compete in the final round.  Since only 6 contestants were in each preliminary round, this first stage of competition lasted quite a while. 

 

 

Frank wished he had entered when we first arrived on the scene.  However, since we didn’t know what was involved, he didn’t.  Next year will be another chance for him to try his luck in this contest.

 

As a life-time lover of hot salsas and spices, I never thought I would get my fill of any of these in just a few hours.  However, I must admit I did this time at the annual Chile Pepper ZestFest.  We tasted every type of food, salsa, seasoning, mustard, jam, and anything and everything else you can imagine.  Even foods you would never think about being infused with any type of pepper or zest.  Some were too sweet for our taste buds and we would never eat them if we brought them home.  However, the grandsons probably would love them. 

 

Even though it was crowded and parking was not the best, this is definitely one event that we’ll put on the calendar to attend next year. 

 

Remember y’all, the State Fair of Texas opens on Friday, September 25.  It only runs for three weeks, ending on Sunday, October 18, so get your visit planned now.  Hope to see y’all there!  Until next time…

 

Bon appétit!