A Michelin Star is awarded to culinary institutions offering outstanding cooking. They take into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.  A culinary institution can receive as many as 3 starts in the Michelin Guide. I am sure that the Michelin Guide has overlooked the Florida State Fair which is held every year in Tampa. The culinary groups at the Fair pride themselves on innovation, a unique harmony of flavors, and clearly, a unique expression of the personality of the chef. Here is a sampling of this year’s new offerings:

• Pop Rock Pickle, a kosher pickle wrapped in a Fruit Roll-up, then dipped in chocolate and rolled in your choice of Pop Rocks, Fruity Pebbles or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
• Honey Bunny Curd Burger: A flame-grilled burger covered with a blanket of gooey cheese curds and nestled between two Honey Buns.
• Temperamental Hog Funnel Cake: The funnel cake mix is combined with cornmeal and barbecue seasoning rub to create a crunchy funnel cake that is topped with pulled pork. It comes in three “temperaments.” Choose from Happy (sweet), Angry (hot) and Furious (super hot).
• Barbie Funnel Cake: The hot color of the year is pink, and this funnel cake comes with powdered sugar, Barbie pink icing and two kinds of sprinkles.
• Bang Bang Tacos: The vegetarian version of the popular taco comes with fried cauliflower, oyster mushrooms or vegan shrimp tossed with Bang Bang sauce on flour or corn tortillas. They are filled with Asian slaw and topped with vegan crema, cilantro, green onion and chili pepper.
• BBQ Fried Burrito: This diet buster is a burrito stuffed with barbecued pulled pork and mac and cheese that is then deep-fried to perfection.
• Bacon Waffle Cheeseburger: an all-beef patty is topped with cheddar cheese and applewood smoked bacon, served between two Belgian waffles with pearl sugar baked into the waffle

The Fair opens February 8th…. in case  you’re in the area…just saying.

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