2025 Big Tex Choice Awards Announce Celebrity Judges
With the Fair season in full swing, that also means it’s time to crown the next winners of the 21st Annual Big Tex® Choice Awards. It’s no easy feat to make it to this point, considering there were 76 total entries submitted. These were then whittled down to 30 semi-finalists. Now, it all comes down to the final 15 that will compete live in the final round at this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards event. The esteemed panel of judges must choose which dishes can take home the titles of “Best Taste – Savory,” “Best Taste – Sweet,” “Best Taste – Sipper,” and “Most Creative.” The panel of judges comes from a variety of culinary fields, from local celebrities to chefs; each person will have the enviable task of tasting these deep-fried delicacies at the Big Tex Choice Awards event on Thursday, August 21.
Today the State Fair of Texas presented this year’s judges who will serve as taste-testers for the iconic competition:
Jeff Allen — Co-Founder of Cookie Society
Jeff Allen is an eight-year NFL veteran and Co-Founder of Cookie Society, a thriving cookie company he launched with his wife, Marissa, in 2018. A Southside Chicago native, Jeff played college football at the University of Illinois before being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a successful career as an offensive lineman, highlighted by a Super Bowl 54 win. While excelling on the field, Jeff also pursued his passion for business, helping turn Cookie Society into a nationally recognized brand known for its handcrafted, gourmet cookies. Beyond business, Jeff is committed to philanthropy, supporting causes like youth empowerment, education, and hunger relief. From the field to the kitchen, Jeff’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and impact—inspiring both athletes and entrepreneurs alike.
Marissa Allen — Co-Founder Cookie Society
Marissa Allen is the Co-Founder of Cookie Society alongside her husband, former NFL player Jeff Allen. A former Division I soccer player from Dallas, Texas, Marissa played for the University of Illinois while earning her degree in Business Administration–Marketing. Her passion for baking, combined with her marketing background and entrepreneurial drive, led her to launch Cookie Society in 2018. Under her leadership, Cookie Society has grown into a successful business with both retail and e-commerce presence, gaining national media attention from outlets like Good Morning America, Oprah Magazine, and CBS. Marissa is a proud mom, food lover, and advocate for women in entrepreneurship—using her story to inspire others to pursue their passions.
Keandre Hopkins — Content Creator
Keandre “Dre” Hopkins is a Dallas-based food content creator known for his authentic, raw, and hilarious takes on the city’s best eats. With his signature one to ten rating scale and unfiltered reactions, he keeps his audience coming back for more. Whether he’s cracking a joke or hyping up the latest food spot, Dre’s mission is simple: make people smile and help them discover the best bites. From sponsored taste tests to launch promos and restaurant reviews, Dre’s content hits because it’s real. He’s not just making content, he’s building hype and driving traffic, one bite at a time.
Chris Meyer — General Manager of Karbach Brewing Co.
Chris Meyer, a resident of Houston, is the General Manager of Karbach Brewing Company. With a passion for beer and over a decade in the brewing industry, Chris has spent the last two years leading Karbach’s efforts on the forefront of the Texas craft beer and brewpub landscape. In that time, Karbach has expanded its campus in Houston, opening Karbach Pizza & Pints to serve up hot slices of pizza and cold beers, as well garnered several awards at both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.
Alex Snodgrass — Author, Content Creator, and Founder of SideDish
Alex Snodgrass is a Texas-raised author, recipe developer and creator. On her social platforms, Alex provides her community with healthy, mostly Whole30 and Paleo-compliant, recipes while continuing to add her Texas twist with bold flavors and recipes she grew up with. Alex is a three-time New York Times Bestseller following the release of her first cookbook in 2019, The Defined Dish: Whole30 Endorsed, Healthy and Wholesome Weeknight Recipes, her second cookbook in 2021, The Comfortable Kitchen, and her third cookbook in 2023, Dinner Tonight. In 2022, Alex launched her company SideDish, a collection of multi-faceted dressings, to make mealtime delicious and easy to share with the ones you love. She lives in Dallas with her husband and two daughters.
Although this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards event is closed to the public, the winners will be revealed on the Fair’s social media channels – @StateFairofTX. The 2025 State Fair of Texas opens Friday, September 26, and runs through Sunday, October 19. You can purchase Season Passes and FLEX Tickets online at BigTex.com/Tickets.