Texas State Fair Food Preview; Toronto's Night Market

DALLAS— The fried food bacchanal known as the State Fair of Texas is throwing its first-ever public preview of its Big Tex Choice Awards, during which judges get the first taste-test of 2014's deep-fried and calorie-laden concessions. The $100 ticket gets visitors bite-sized portions of all the culinary finalists (last year's winner was a Fried Thanksgiving Dinner, balled up and served with gravy), plus bragging rights for getting the sneak peek of whatever vendors choose to deep-fry next. A portion of proceeds benefits the State Fair of Texas Scholarship Fund; more information here. [Eater Dallas]

TORONTO— Momofuku's Toronto arm will join forces with downtown restaurant Drake One Fifty to launch a recurring Night Market in the city's Financial District. The $5 ticket gets visitors one food/drink item (Momofuku's steamed buns and tripe salad will both be up for grabs) when the market sets up shop every Tuesday in August. [EaterWire]

COLLABORATIONS— Intelligentsia Coffee will team with the New Pornographers to create a collaborative roast called "Brill Brew." Epicurious reports the coffee is currently available for pre-order, and will be timed to drop alongside the band's new alum, Brill Bruisers, on August 20. [Epicurious]

Texas State Fair, 2013. [Photo: Facebook]