THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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DALLAS - Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the calorie counts at the State Fair, which will offer such delicacies this year as deep-fried s'mores and a fried banana split.

The State Fair of Texas begins late next month, and a competition is being held to honour its tastiest fried fare. The eight finalists were announced Wednesday.

They include the campfire favourite and the banana split, as well as chocolate truffles, grilled cheese and Jelly Bellys. And don't forget the chicken-fried bacon strips and fried chocolate-covered strawberry waffle balls on a stick.

Abel Gonzales, whose fried cookie dough took top honors last year, will defend his title with a pineapple ring battered and deep-fried, topped with banana-flavoured whipped cream frozen by liquid nitrogen and ladled with strawberries and syrup. He calls it Fire & Ice.

The winner will be announced Monday.