The San Diego County Fair has kicked off its third annual Fair-Tastic Foods Competition, bringing together 26 judges to taste and vote on the newest culinary creations from fair vendors.
This year’s event took place on a sunny Friday morning, where judges had the formidable task of sampling and evaluating 18 different dishes within just an hour.
These mouthwatering dishes had been winnowed down from an initial pool of contenders, showcasing the best of the fair’s culinary offerings.
Before getting into the results, let’s take a closer look at some of the top fair foods that delighted both judges and fairgoers alike.
**Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll**
From the Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls concession stand came a dish that celebrated San Diego’s vibrant Mexican culture.
Described as “pure pan dulce perfection,” the Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll is fresh from the oven and drenched in tres leches sauce, priced at $14.
Judge Jayne Yutig described it as having all the classic elements of a fair cinnamon roll, including crispy, caramelized sugar and cream cheese icing, but elevated with the flavors of tres leches cake.
Judge Michael James Rocha had initial reservations about its appearance, suggesting it looked like a “soggy mess,” but was soon converted after tasting it.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of the Country Fair’s cinnamon rolls, so I wondered, ‘Why mess with perfection?’ This is why!
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