Fair Food Scramble 2012 RESULTS

Laura Lee, a judge for the Bite Club fair food scramble, attempts to dislodge a chunk of fried watermelon at the Sonoma County Fair. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat)

It was a nutritionist’s worst nightmare: Two picnic tables piled with dozens of fried, sugary, glutenous, meaty, fat-laden dishes with a caloric density that could propel a small army. For a month.

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Six brave souls faced down the feast bravely on Wednesday, the opening day of the Sonoma County Fair, without health waivers or regret during the fourth annual Fair Food Scramble.

The challenge? Winners secure as much food as $200 will buy (in a brisk 45-minute race), followed by a mouth-stuffing, gut-busting eat-a-thon to find the best fair food of 2012.

Within two hours, the results were in …

Greg Kilchenstein of Annapolis Maryland tries out a Sonoran Style Hot Dog.

Best Overall: Sonora Dog, $6
Vendor: Sonoran Hot Dog Stand, Magnolia Avenue.
A newcomer to the fair, Lisa Thompson and her sister, Debra White, both of Santa Rosa, won the judges’ hearts with a hot dog wrapped in bacon, topped with pinto beans, grilled onions, mustard and mayo. The kicker is a sweet Mexican roll specially made by Santa Rosa’s La Reyna Bakery.
“It’s a hot dog on steroids,” said Thompson. Judges loved it so much, we also named it Best Meat Dish at the fair. Scrambler Tyffani Peters of Windsor said, “Classic fair food with a nice Mexican twist and fusion of flavors.”