PUEBLO, Colo. — Calling all Colorado food trucks! Applications are open for the third annual Governor’s Plate competition, scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, at the 2023 Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Now entering its third year, the food truck competition has quickly become a favorite activity for fairgoers and food lovers.
“Colorado is home to some of the best food around – from world class green chiles, beef, peaches, corn, potatoes, and so much more. I am excited to see the creativity and skill of local chefs showing off our amazing local ingredients at the third annual Governor’s Plate Competition,” said Governor Polis.
The competition brings food trucks from across the state to compete against each other for a Golden Plate award, selected by Governor Polis. In addition, attendees vote for their favorite dish, with the winner receiving the People’s Choice Award. Trucks are asked to select Colorado-grown ingredients to incorporate into their unique dishes.
Competing trucks must be registered as members of Colorado Proud, meaning they utilize locally grown, raised and processed food and agricultural products, promoting Colorado’s economy through support of local farmers, ranchers, greenhouses, manufacturers and processors. Each truck will prepare and serve 500 sample-size portions of their signature dish to Governor Polis and competition guests. Last year’s winner, Anne’s A La Mode, plans to return to defend its title and 2021 Golden Plate winner and 2022 People’s Choice Winner Papa Mario’s Grilled Cheese will also return.
“By incorporating Colorado Proud products into their dishes, the food truck chefs at the Governor’s Plate competition showcase the best of Colorado agriculture and cuisine,”said Scott Stoller, General Manager of the Colorado State Fair.”We know this year’s competition is going to be fierce and we are eager to see the food trucks go head-to-head and surprise us with their creative and delicious Colorado Proud dishes.”
Those interested in competing can apply at ColoradoStateFair.com/
About the Colorado State Fair: The Colorado State Fair is an annual event held in Pueblo, Colorado that creates an entertaining, inspiring, and educational inter-generational experience highlighting the preservation, promotion, and exposition of our State’s vibrant and diverse agricultural industry and culture. In 2021, the 11 days of the State Fair generated $43.7 million in total output which supported 506 total jobs and $14.9 million in total earnings in Pueblo County.
— Colorado Department of Agriculture