Stephen Montoya
There’s nothing more exciting than taking a bite out of a food item that’s known and feared for its very own venomous bite. That’s right folks were talking about rattlesnakes. Only this time, instead of hearing a notorious rattle, celebrity chef Tim Love is prodding local chefs to make them sizzle.
Back for its second year is the rattlesnake-cooking competition known as the Rattle Battle. Kicking off on September 26 to commemorate the opening of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams Champion Ariat Texas Rattlers’ third season, this cooking competition touts a legendary line-up of local area chefs. Presented by TX Whiskey in conjunction with Love, this event will take place at Cowtown Coliseum on September 26. The “Rattle Battle” will then move to Dickies Arena on September 27 and 28.
The Rattle Battle will begin at 5:00 p.m. with final judging at 6:15 p.m., followed by the reveal of the Champion at 6:30 p.m. and the conclusion of the culinary extravaganza at 7:00 p.m. In addition to the rattlesnake cuisine, open bars will be stationed throughout Mule Alley for attendees to patronize.
Tickets for the 2024 Rattle Battle are on-sale now. Priced at $150 they can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or in Mule Alley on event day.
Leo Loera
Rattle Battle during the first day of the Fort Worth Teams PBR. Photo by Leo Loera / Bull Stock Media
The “Rattle Battle” itself is a one-of-a kind cook off that challenges 16 local well-known chefs to create their best dish using the key ingredient of rattlesnake in a head-to-head competition. The winning chef will receive a $2,500 cash prize, a pair of Ariat Boots, an RTIC Cooler, special edition bottle of TX Whiskey and more.
So how is this competition judged? Attendees at each event will receive an Ariat Texas Rattlers token to vote on their favorite dish throughout the event. The Top 3 fan-voted dishes will then advance to celebrity judging, with the panel of three — to-be-announced —distinguished culinary experts determining the 2024 Rattle Battle Champion. Last year, this honor went to Dickies Arena Chef David Wetli, with our very own executive editor Brian Kendall as one of the judges. According to a release, Wetli wowed attendees with his visionary rattlesnake ravioli dish. Of course, Welti will be returning this year to defend his “Rattle Battle” title, you can bet your boots on that.
"After such a successful inaugural year, I couldn't help but feel a bit of nervous excitement about how we would top ourselves this year,” Love says. “But inspiration struck swiftly: Bigger band, more cocktail bars, more chefs and even more fun. Rattle Battle is charging to be one of the most fun and anticipated events of the year, and I can't wait to sample the innovative creations from our talented chefs!”
The competing chefs include:
- Juan Rodriguez (Magdalena’s)
- Kemel Rodriguez (Paloma Suerte)
- Rodrigo Cárdenas (Don Artemio)
- Taylor McCreary (Tannahill’s Tavern)
- Trevor “Big T” Sales (Brix Barbecue)
- Jon Bonnell (Bonnell's, Waters, Buffalo Bros, Jon's Grille)
- Stefon Rishel (Mohawk Consulting & Culinary Solutions)
- David Wetli (Dickies Arena) See we told Ya’.
- Grant Morgan (Hotel Drover and 97 West Kitchen & Bar at Fort Worth Stockyards)
- Jeffery Thompson (Heim BBQ)
- Patrick Ru (Teddy Wong’s)
- Antonio Votta (Bricks & Horses):
- Luke Gretchen (Woodshed Smokehouse)
- John Holloman (Lonesome Dove):
- Zach Lewis (Atico):
