This year's Dallas Observer Iron Fork at Fair Park was the best one yet – lines were short, food was stellar and 2,500 people ate and drank their fill. With ample supply and short waits, pretty much everyone got to try bites from the dozens of restaurants and booze-slingers in attendance, which is all you can really ask for from a Dallas food event.
In the live Iron Fork Chef Competition, moderated by Knife's John Tesar, Aaron Staudenmaier of Lovers Seafood & Market faced off against Eric Dryer of Fearing's in a nail-biter of a competition judged by Observer food critic Brian Reinhart, Dallas chef Misti Norris and representatives from Whole Foods. In the end, Staudenmaier won the throwdown with a red snapper dish that wowed the judges. At sampling tables, attendees voted for their favorite dishes, and Y.O. Steakhouse won best restaurant with their bacon-wrapped venison bites. Photos by Alison McLean
