The First Annual Texas Fried Chicken Throwdown will take place on Sunday, June 14, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., at Royers Round Top Café at 105 Main Street in the tiny Central Texas town of Round Top. Five chefs—two from Austin and two from Houston, plus Bud Royer, the founder Royers Cafe—will vie to cook the most irresistible fried chicken.
The purpose of the contest is, besides providing an excuse for attendees to take a drive out to the country and eat themselves silly, is to promote the tiny town of Round Top (population 93 as of 2013) and raise money for Meals on Wheels.
The participating out-of-town chefs are Jack Gilmore (Jack Allen’s Kitchen in Austin), Hoover Alexander (Hoover’s Cooking in Austin), Brandi Key (Punk’s Simple Southern Food in Houston), Ana Amaya (Max’s Wine Dive in Houston), and Ronnie Killen (Killen’s Barbecue in Pearland).
Royers Café has been an institution in Central Texas ever since Royer moved his family to Round Top in 1987 and took over the tiny 40-seat Round Top Café. He quickly built a following among travelers with a menu that was quite sophisticated for the setting, in contrast to the place, which was pure country.
Tickets for the throwdown are $20 and can be purchased here. The price of admission includes fried chicken and sides. Beverages, pie, and ice cream will be available for purchase. Music will be provided by the Black Cat Choir of Round Top.
All proceeds will be donated to the charity Meals on Wheels in Austin and Houston.
