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The MALLET Food Competition

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Get ready for a culinary adventure at the Maryland State Fair with our Annual Food Competition, The MALLET, sponsored by The Restaurant Store!

Vendors compete for Best Sweet, Best Savory, and Most Creative dishes, and YOU get to enjoy these delicious creations!

Join us for the live judging of the 2024 MALLET New Food Competition on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 10 am on the State Fair Park Free Stage, presented by Maryland Lottery and T-Mobile.

Look for the 10′ flags marking the winning vendors as you explore the Fair!

2024 Mallet New Fair Food Winners

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Best Sweet Item

Indulge in the luxurious taste of freshly brewed Strawberry Flavored Iced Tea, infused with Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup and garnished with THREE hand-dipped chocolate strawberries. This delightful beverage combines the refreshing flavors of strawberry and tea with the rich decadence of chocolate, creating a truly unique and satisfying drink!

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Best Savory and Most Creative Item

Feast on our Turkey & Stuffing Waffles, a unique twist on traditional holiday flavors. This savory delight consists of shredded roasted turkey in a rich ponzu pan sauce, served on a crisp stuffing waffle and topped with a homemade maple bourbon cranberry sauce. It’s a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and tangy.

2024 MALLET Finalists

Sample all MALLET finalists at the Fair!

All finalist dishes will be available for purchase and marked with a special sign.

Join us Sunday, August 25 at 10 am on the Park Stage to see who wins Best Sweet, Best Savory, and Most Creative New Food Items for the 2024 Maryland State Fair!

SWEET FINALISTS

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Salty meets sweet in this FOOTLONG munchie pretzel roll packed with warm, gooey Nutella. This delectable treat is rolled up inside vegan soft pretzel dough and baked from scratch. Served in a foil bag to retain heat so you can savor every bite!
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These deep-fried mini donuts are topped with creamy banana pudding and fresh cut strawberries and bananas, adding a burst of fruity freshness to every bite. Finished with a dollop of whipped topping and a sprinkle of shortcake crumbles. It’s the perfect fusion of donuts, strawberry shortcake, and banana pudding in a delectable dish that is sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more!
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Experience a delightful twist on two classic treats with our S'Mores Caramel Apple. Start with a crisp and tart Granny Smith apple, perfectly coated in gooey caramel, and rolled in crushed graham crackers. This delectable base is topped with a big, toasted marshmallow and then drizzled with rich, velvety chocolate. It's a delicious combination of sweet and tart, creamy and crunchy, that will satisfy your cravings for both s'mores and caramel apples.
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Savor the harmonious blend of flavors in our Baked Sweet Potato Apple Pie. This delightful treat features a jumbo-baked sweet potato topped with REAL butter, warm apple pie filling, cool whipped cream, and a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. Perfect for those who love the comforting taste of sweet potatoes and the classic charm of apple pie.

SAVORY FINALISTS

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MARYLAND REPRESENT! Enjoy a FOOTLONG filled with FRESH Maryland local blue crab claw meat, smothered in cheese and Old Bay seasoning, all rolled up inside our vegan soft pretzel dough. This delectable treat is baked from scratch right before your eyes, ensuring the freshest and most delicious experience.
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Our Smoked Pork Belly Fried Rice is served in a compostable tray, ensuring an eco-friendly dining experience. This savory dish features tender smoked pork belly combined with perfectly cooked fried rice, and each serving is generously topped with fresh scallions and a dollop of chili crisp, adding a burst of flavor and heat. This convenient presentation allows you to enjoy a hearty and delicious meal on the go.
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Savor a carnival classic with an international twist: our Mexican Street Corn Dog. This indulgent treat starts with a 1/4 lb all-beef hot dog on a stick, dipped in traditional corn dog batter and deep-fried to a perfect golden brown. Fresh off the fryer, it's drizzled with creamy mayo and sprinkled with a savory blend of Parmesan and Cajun seasonings. Adding a burst of freshness and flavor, a few sweet corn kernels and a lime wedge top off this delightful creation.
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Experience a delightful twist on a traditional favorite with our Deep Fried "El Dominicano." Inspired by a beloved Dominican dish, this creation transforms classic ingredients into a festival of deep-fried deliciousness. Each skewer features sizzling Dominican salami, golden tostone-style plantains, zesty pickled red onions, crispy fried cheese, and a fried egg, all brought together in a symphony of flavors...on-a-stick!

Fairgoer Judge

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One lucky Fairgoer will win the coveted chance to help select The Mallet’s 2023 winners! 

Stay tuned for more details for a chance to win this coveted job!

2023 Winners

2023 Mallet Winners
2023 Mallet Winners (1)
Best Sweet New Food Item

Congratulations to our 2023 winners!

Best Sweet New Food Item
Lemon Blueberry Donut Delight
Vendor: Deddle’s Mini Donuts
Location: Food Pavilion

Best Savory New Food Item
Crab Cake Eggrolls
Vendor: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
Location: Food Pavilion

Most Creative New Food Item
Maple Bacon Iced Tea
Vendor: Tiki Tea
Location: Midway next to Swifty Swine Pig Races

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Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc., thank you for your contribution to our non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Your generous gift will help us to provide agricultural education to youth and the public throughout Maryland and surrounding states, and to give support to the agriculture industry for its future. We could not continue our mission without you!

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