Rain may have been on the forecast, but backing down wasn’t on the menu. The 6th Annual Paris Steak Wars, held April 3–4, proved once again that this community doesn’t fold under pressure; instead, it fires up the grill and shows up anyway.
Originally set at the iconic Eiffel Tower, organizers made a game-time call to move the event to the Pavilion nearby. What could’ve been a wash turned into a well-done weekend, with 21 cook-off teams and a full lineup of vendors choosing grit over comfort and bringing the heat despite the storm.
Friday night’s Tailgate Party kicked things off strong, serving up burgers by County Heat, led by Joey McCarthy, alongside live music from Gage Plata and crowd-favorite Fleetwood X, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac. More than 500 attendees showed up ready to eat, drink, and heat things up for the main event.
Saturday brought showers through late morning, but Paris Steak Wars fans made it clear: a little rain wasn’t enough to keep them away. More than 1,500 people came through the gates, demonstrating their loyalty to the event and its mission to support The Downtown Food Pantry.
Over the past six years, Paris Steak Wars has raised more than $150,000 for local nonprofits, including The Boys & Girls Club of Paris and The Downtown Food Pantry. This year, teams served over 1,550 steaks to attendees while competing for the $2,000 grand prize and putting their skills to the test and their reputations on the line.
This year also introduced a new fan-favorite: the “Steer for a Year” raffle, featuring a half steer from Sugg Cattle Co. (processing included) and a stand-up freezer donated by Texas Furniture & Appliance, offering a prize package that definitely raised the steaks.
Paris Steak Wars is presented by South Main Iron and hosted by Iron Communities. The organization is led by Kris Estep (President), Lea Emerson (Vice President), Brittany Barney-Burns (Treasurer), and JoKyle Varner (Secretary), with support from Kacy Smyers, Pate Norment, and Clint Cheatwood.
Iron Communities extends its gratitude to Downtown Food Pantry Executive Director Allan Hubbard and the pantry’s board, whose volunteers played critical roles in making the event happen. Their partnership continues to be the backbone of the event’s impact.
The Downtown Food Pantry serves more than 13,000 individuals annually, representing roughly 26% of Lamar County residents facing food insecurity.
A special nod goes to David Denison of David’s Meat Market, whose ongoing commitment to providing high-quality ribeyes at accessible pricing has helped make this event sustainable year after year.
“Six years in, and this event still finds new ways to raise the bar—and the steaks,” said Kris Estep, President of Iron Communities and co-owner of South Main Iron. “The support from this community, especially from our sponsors, is what keeps this fire burning.”
“We plan this event for 12 months, so watching the forecast roll in was tough,” said Lea Emerson, Vice President of Iron Communities and co-owner of DeadCat. “But what we saw instead was people pivot, show up, and make it happen anyway. That’s what makes Paris Steak Wars different. It’s not just an event, it’s a community that shows up when it counts.”
Four teams took home trophies from the day: Beef and Beer (Appetizer), Super B Electric (People’s Choice), Trey Squared (Third Place), Moore Meat (Second Place), and Apothecary Smoke (Grand Champion, First Place Trophy).
Paris Steak Wars will return April 2–3, 2027, and if this year proved anything, it’s that nothing can keep this event off the grill for long.
Sponsorship opportunities are now open, with early partners locking in a full year of brand exposure, premium placement, and exclusive promotional perks leading up to the 2027 event.
