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Spotlight Kitchen

Date: Sept 05 - Sept 13, 2025
Location(s): 
AEL Round Building - 325-677-4376
Category(s):
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Hosting the Spotlight Kitchen for the 14th year, Chef Darlene has become an icon of the West Texas Fair & Rodeo.

Chef started her culinary career in the mid 1990’s when she baked wedding and birthday cakes for friends and neighbors.

In 2005, Chef Darlene decided to attend Culinary School at the Dallas Art Institute. She is a Banquet Chef and has prepared pastries for some of the finest country clubs in the Dallas area.

In 2006, Chef Darlene was invited to be a celebrity chef at the State Fair of Texas, a tradition she continued through 2023.

In 2012, Chef Darlene brought the idea of the Spotlight Kitchen to the West Texas Fair & Rodeo. We are proud to host and promote local restaurants and chefs.

Spotlight Kitchen Schedule

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Schedule
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Spotlight Kitchen-HEB "My Texas Table" featuring Chef Darlene
Sept 05, 2025 | 4:30 PM
H-E-B Spotlight Kitchen-H-E-B Gift Card
Sept 05, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Come early to the 6 pm show and get a ticket for a chance of winning a H-E-B Gift Card! We thank H-E-B for their continued support of the West Texas Fair & Rodeo and Spotlight Kitchen.
Texas A&M Agri-Life
Sept 05, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Join Family & Community Health Agents: Kim Miles - Taylor Co. Extention, Staci Winders - Nolan Co. Extention, Kelli Maberry - Jones Co. Extention
H-E-B “My Texas Table” - Chef Darlene and Tiffany Harelik
Sept 05, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Tiffany is an Advanced Master Beekeeper through the TX Master Beekeeper Program and has served in leadership roles with TX Beekeepers Assoc. groups. Tiffany co-founded the West TX Beekeepers Guild, West TX Bee School, and the WTF&R’s first Honey Show.
Licks and Links - Krista Hale
Sept 06, 2025 | 2:30 PM
Serving gourmet hot dogs and homemade ice cream/sorbet/gelato in the Abilene area!
1401 S. Danville Dr., Abilene, TX 79605, 325-627-8467

H-E-B Produce–Rudy Flores-H-E-B GIFT CARD
Sept 06, 2025 | 4:30 PM
Proudly serving Abilene since 1991, H-E-B has low prices on a wide variety of meat & seafood, beer & wine, produce, bakery & more. 1345 Barrow, Abilene, (325) 690-5000
Valentina Crane & Victoria Crane-Making Cupcakes
Sept 06, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Beekeeper Talks “Honey” - Chef Tiffany Harelik
Sept 06, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Tiffany is an Advanced Master Beekeeper through the TX Master Beekeeper Program and has served in leadership roles with TX Beekeepers Assoc. groups. Tiffany co-founded the West TX Beekeepers Guild, West TX Bee School, and the WTF&R’s first Honey Show.
Ernie’s Spanish Kitchen–Ronnie Calsoncin
Sept 07, 2025 | 2:30 PM
Ernie's Spanish Kitchen, located at 2915 W Walker St in Breckenridge, Texas, was founded in 1974 by Ernesto "Ernie" Calsoncin and his wife, Rosalita Calsoncin. The restaurant is currently owned by Ronnie Calsoncin, who is the son of Ernie and Rosalita.
H-E-B Bakery–Alex Pope and Sarah Rifenburgh-H-E-B GIFT CARD
Sept 07, 2025 | 4:00 PM
Proudly serving Abilene since 1991, H-E-B has low prices on a wide variety of meat & seafood, beer & wine, produce, bakery & more. 1345 Barrow, Abilene, (325) 690-5000 ****H-E-B Gift Card Drawing!
H-E-B “My Texas Table” Chips and Dips Fiesta-Chef Darlene
Sept 07, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Join Chef Darlene for a delightful and entertaining talk about serving chips and dips!
H-E-B “My Texas Table” Back to School Snacks-Chef Darlene
Sept 08, 2025 | 4:30 PM
Chef Darlene will give you great tips for healthy snacks for your kiddos lunch!
H-E-B “My Texas Table”-H-E-B Gift Card
Sept 08, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Come early to the 6 pm show and get a ticket for a chance of winning a H-E-B Gift Card! We thank H-E-B for their continued support of the West Texas Fair & Rodeo and Spotlight Kitchen.
Potosi Live–Moi Garcia
Sept 08, 2025 | 6:00 PM
We welcome back Moi and Potosi Live!
Enjoy a night out at Abilene's coolest event venue! https://potosilive.com/ 325-529-3111
H-E-B “My Texas Table” Chef Darlene and Tiffany Harelik
Sept 08, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Tiffany is an Advanced Master Beekeeper through the TX Master Beekeeper Program and has served in leadership roles with TX Beekeepers Assoc. groups. Tiffany co-founded the West TX Beekeepers Guild, West TX Bee School, and the WTF&R’s first Honey Show.
H-E-B “My Texas Table”-Chef Darlene
Sept 09, 2025 | 4:30 PM
Chef Darlene will show you great H-E-B products and their uses in recipes!
H-E-B “My Texas Table”-H-E-B Gift Card
Sept 09, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Come early to the 6 pm show and get a ticket for a chance of winning a H-E-B Gift Card! We thank H-E-B for their continued support of the West Texas Fair & Rodeo and Spotlight Kitchen.
Texas Roadhouse–Sam Holt
Sept 09, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Sam started his restaurant journey in 1998 as a server at the Abilene Texas Roadhouse. He left in 2000 to open other Texas Roadhouse locations and transition into management. He came back to Abilene in 2010 and become the Managing Partner. 325-690-0145
Betty Roses–Kyle Johnson & Big Country Cattlewomen–Heather Dawn
Sept 09, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Betty Rose's Little Brisket has been serving happy customers in Abilene, TX since 1981. Our locally owned and operated BBQ restaurant is sure to hit the spot when you're in the mood for southern food. https://www.bettyroses.com/home
H-E-B “My Texas Table” - Bringing Memories Back to the Kitchen – Chef Darlene and Tiffany Harelik
Sept 10, 2025 | 12:30 PM
What better place to visit with family and friends than your kitchen table! Chef Darlene and Tiffany will help you add magic to your kitchen!
Lytle Land & Cattle Company–Lindsay Flores-H-E-B GIFT CARD
Sept 10, 2025 | 2:30 PM
Get a ticket for a chance of winning a HEB Gift Card! We thank HEB for their continued support of the West Texas Fair & Rodeo and Spotlight Kitchen.
Lytle Land & Cattle: 1150 E South 11th St, Abilene, TX, 79602 | Call us at 325-677-1925 |
Texas Family Popcorn–Toni McAdams-H-E-B GIFT CARD
Sept 10, 2025 | 4:30 PM
A one-stop shop with something for everyone, offering over thirty flavors of gourmet popcorn, more than twenty flavors/styles of jerky, old fashioned candies and snacks for every diet and in every price range. https://texasfamilypopcorn.com/ 325-232-8880
Life of Pie–Leslie & Cory Bivens-H-E-B GIFT CARD
Sept 10, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Life of Pie was created by Leslie and Cory Bivens to provide the community with something new, delicious, and fun. It all started with our love for sweet and spicy foods. An Abilene favorite with two locations. https://www.lifeofpieabilene.com/
“Girls Who Mill”-Kelli Ann Brown & Cherry Pittcock
Sept 11, 2025 | 5:00 PM
A mother-daughter trio, Girls Who Mill has developed a passion for milling their own grain. Given their background in Family and Consumer Sciences, they are passionate about health and hope you’ll join in on their excitement for fresh milled grain!
KAO Lounge and Crane’s Craft BBQ at The Wagon Wheel Dance Hall /H-E-B Gift Card
Sept 11, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Crane’s Craft BBQ was born from faith, sacrifice, and a commitment to family and community. What began as a shared dream between Erika & William has grown into a gathering place where values of resilience, service, and hospitality are lived out daily.
H-E-B “My Texas Table”-Chef Darlene
Sept 12, 2025 | 4:30 PM
Join Chef Darlene for cooking and baking tips and lots of laughter!
H-E-B “My Texas Table”-Chef Darlene
Sept 12, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Join Chef Darlene for cooking and baking tips and lots of laughter! Come early to the 6 pm show and get a ticket for a chance of winning a HEB Gift Card! We thank HEB for their continued support of the West Texas Fair & Rodeo and Spotlight Kitchen.
Cypress Street–Chef Jacob Hawkins
Sept 12, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Join Chef Jacob Hawkins with Cypress Street Station in downtown Abilene, stands a historic landmark–an unparalleled upscale dining experience, set in a treasured icon that has pioneered the future of downtown dining for the best part of three decades.
H-E-B “My Texas Table”-Chef Darlene & Tiffany Harelik
Sept 12, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Join Chef Darlene and Tiffany Harelik for more cooking and baking tips!
H-E-B “My Texas Table” - Chef Darlene
Sept 13, 2025 | 2:30 PM
Chef Darlene delivers her own branding of cooking and baking using H-E-B products. Proudly serving Abilene since 1991, H-E-B has low prices on a wide variety of meat & seafood, beer & wine, produce, bakery & more. 1345 Barrow, Abilene, (325) 690-5000
H-E-B–Chef Lee Hoechstetter-H-E-B Gift Card
Sept 13, 2025 | 4:30 PM
Proudly serving Abilene since 1991, H-E-B has low prices on a wide variety of meat & seafood, beer & wine, produce, bakery & more. 1345 Barrow, Abilene, (325) 690-5000 ****H-E-B Gift Card Drawing!
Double Tree by Hilton–Chef Pablo Useche
Sept 13, 2025 | 6:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Abilene Downtown Convention Center
500 Cypress St, Abilene, Texas, 79601, https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/abidtdt-doubletree-abilene-downtown-convention-center/
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