Crystal Wise
Tim Love
If you are one of the many people who live by the term “The only good snake is a dead snake,” then celebrity chef Tim Love has you covered.
The only catch is, the rattlesnakes he will soon have in his possession will be the star ingredient on this year’s first-ever Rattle Battle cook-off’s menu. To add to the excitement of this scenario, Love has tapped twelve of Fort Worth’s top chefs to compete in this culinary showdown, which will take place at the Rattler Days Alley Rally in the Fort Worth Stockyards on Friday, October 6th, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Participating chefs in this event include, Graham Elliot (Le Margot), Blaine Staniford (Grace, 61 Osteria, Little Red Wasp), John Bonnell (Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine, WATERS, and Buffalo Bros Pizza Wings & Subs), Rodrigo Cárdenas (Don Artemio Mexican Heritage), Juan Rodriguez (Magdalena’s), Kemel Rodriguez (Paloma Suerte), Taylor McCreary (Lonesome Dove Western Bistro), and Bert Nichols (Tannahill’s Tavern). Besides bragging rights, these renowned culinary artists will be competing for the grand prize of $2,500 in cash, as well as a prize pack valued at more than $1,000, including Ariat Boots, an RTIC Cooler, TX Whiskey and more.
Both judges and fans will vote for the reigned Rattle Battle champ as Part of the Texas Rattler’s Pre-Event Fan Zone, according to a release. Each of the participating chefs are expected to prepare a dish that prominently features rattlesnake as the key ingredient. The menus of these unique dishes will be made available to attendees before the event. During the Rattle Battle, each chef will set up a station within Mule Alley, while offering attendees the chance to sample all twelve distinctive rattlesnake creations.
Furthermore, all attendees will receive a Texas Rattlers token that allows them to vote for their favorite dish throughout the event. The top three fan-voted dishes will advance to the celebrity judging round, where a panel of three distinguished culinary experts (to be announced), will take on the daunting task of determining the undisputed master of rattlesnake cuisine and name the inaugural 2023 Rattle Battle Champion. Tickets for this event are on-sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or in Mule Alley on event day.
Love, who is known to have exotic meats on his menus, says this cookoff is inspired by his flagship concept – Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, which features daring creations such as Kangaroo Carpaccio, Rocky Mountain Elk Ribeye, Wild Boar, and Rabbit & Rattlesnake. According to Love, this concept proved that wild game could be prepared at an elevated level.
“I'm thrilled to host the inaugural Rattle Battle in Mule Alley and bring together Fort Worth's top culinary talents for this one-of-a-kind challenge – showcasing the extraordinary and often underappreciated ingredient – rattlesnake,” Love says in a release. “These talented chefs will truly show off their culinary chops and show Fort Worth a whole other side of their cooking. We want people to come out, eat some rattlesnake, and help crown the rattlesnake king."
