Who Won What at the State Fair: Part 4

The Best Casserole Creations Claim State Fair Crowns

The top baked dish designers squared off in the Main Dish Baked Casserole competition judged Tuesday, August 9, prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Sue Olson of Des Moines won first place and $200. Tammy Boelman of Ankeny took second place and $50, while Deanna Smith of Des Moines earned third place and $25.

Judges also gave an honorable mention award to Reyna Evans of Mitchellville. Entries were judged on taste, texture, appearance and appropriateness for a main dish.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. Due to the large number of classes, Food Department judging begins prior to the Fair in the recently-renovated Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny.

Super Salsas Claim State Fair Titles

New variations on one of American's favorite condiments were center stage in the Salsa Sensations competition judged Tuesday, August 9, prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

In the Vegetable Salsa class Kyle Barton of West Des Moines won first place. Tammy Boelman of Ankeny claimed second place, and Reyna Evans of Mitchellville earned third place.

Lana Ross of Indianola won first place in the Fruit Salsa class. Suellen Calhoun of Des Moines took second place and Reyna Evans of Mitchellville took third.

Entries were judged on taste, originality, uniqueness of flavor and appearance.

Cooks of Urbandale, Carlisle Take First in State Fair Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition

Becca Youngers of Urbandale and Courtney Carter of Carlisle won top honors in the C&H Chocolate Chip Cookie Creation contest judged Wednesday, August 10, prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Youngers took first in the 6 to 11-year-old age division. Courtney Smith of Carlisle claimed second, and Sasha McCoy of Hartford was awarded third.

Carter placed first in the 12 to 17-year-old division. Second place was awarded to Kate Barbaglia of Ames, and Emily Polson of Ankeny took third. Honorable mentions were awarded to Sophia Ridgway of Johnston and Emma Larsen of Des Moines.

Choo Choo Girls Win First Battle of the Butter Competition

Two and a Half Choo Choo Girls won first place in the first day of the Battle of the Butter competition held Thursday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair. The team, composed of Lynda Smith, Tessa Smith, both of Des Moines, and Marlene Vols of Ankeny, quickly crafted their unique creation.

Second place was awarded to Everyday America, a team composed of Kalie Webb, Chad Webb, both of Des Moines, and Madelyn Stoen of Johnston. Dairy Lovers took third place with teammates Jason Kaare of Waronia, Minn., Kendra Moser of Colesburg and Ally Meyer of Sumner.

Kids Take on the Kitchen in Appetizer Contest at State Fair

Maggie Gallardo of Des Moines won first place in the Kids' Appetizers competition judged Wednesday, August 10, prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Julia Polson of Ankeny was awarded second place for her starter dish, and Trent Gilbert of West Des Moines took home third place. An honorable mention was awarded to Shawn McGuire of Johnston.

The Kids' Appetizers competition was open to youth ages 10-12. Judging was based on taste, appearance and ease of preparation for kids.

DMACC Team Wins Butter Battle

The Iowa State Fair's Battle of the Butter was a showdown between three teams from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) on Monday. Each team prepared a butter sculpture from a 55 pound block of butter in half an hour.

Taking first place was The Other Team. The duo of Vicki Voogt of Ankeny and Hannah McKeever of Des Moines sculpted an homage to Grant Wood's American Gothic which featured buttery renditions of the famous stoic couple set in front of an image of the iconic house.

The DMACC Continuing Education Department won second place with their sculpture of a butter finger pointing to indicate "DMACC #1." The sculptors of the work of art were Darin Stevenson of Des Moines, Stephanie Wilson of Runnells, Cindy Huisman of Ankeny, and Louis Kiester, no hometown given.

Team DMACC took third with their sculpture of a giant butterfly with bright blue wings. Teammates included Mitzi Alexander of Nevada, Michael Blair of Des Moines and Amina Ali of Altoona.