Who Won What at the State Fair: Part 7

Gurley's Cooking and Baking Contest Goes to the Girls at the Iowa State Fair

Ribbons were awarded to Iowa cooks and bakers for exemplary use of Gurley's food products in four classes of the Trust Your Recipe to Gurley's contest judged Tuesday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Marjorie Rodgers of Indianola took home the blue ribbon in the Breads and Rolls class. Second place went to Judy Kiburz-Harrison of Mount Ayr while Janine Knop of Atlantic claimed the third place ribbon.

In the Cakes and Muffins class, Knop earned the blue ribbon, Angie Richard of Perry claimed second place honors and Hester Derscheid of Ellston took third.

Tiffany Melchers of Des Moines earned first place in the Non-Baked Items class, Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville took second and Cassandra Hyatt of Ankeny placed third.

In the Other Baked Items category, Deana Wright of Colfax was awarded first place honors while Olive Jean Tarbell of Centerville took second and Tarbell-Thomas claimed the third place ribbon.

Osceola Woman Wins Blue Ribbon in State Fair Food Contest

Virginia Ogan of Osceola won first place and a $100 Savings Bond in the Cooking with Cookies' Sauces and Seasonings competition judged Sunday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Karey Meek-Anderson of Ankeny took second place while Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny earned third place.

Entries were judged on taste, creativity and appearance.

Youth Advance to Championship Round of State Fair Talent Search

Three talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) were selected to perform during the Championship round of Bill Riley's 52nd annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act performed in exhibition on Sunday, August 21, but was no longer competing.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

Michaela Rader, 12, Jewell, Baton

Jacob Wang, 11, Ankeny, Piano

Hayley Coder, 12, Clive, Lyrical Dance

Bill Riley, Jr. once again hosted the competition. Two to three Sprout acts were crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The winning acts performed in the talent-packed championship set on August 21, at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

Casey's General Stores presented each of the six Sprout Champions with a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. Casey's General Stores awarded more than $15,000 to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined.

Cool Cooks Score Hot Wins in State Fair Chili Contest

Chili connoisseurs from across the state squared off in the Mrs. Grimes' Chili Cook-Off judged Tuesday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Jim Roth of Clive won first place and a $75 cash award in the Best Traditional Chili class. David Anderson of West Des Moines earned second place, and Greg Kelly Simms of West Des Moines took third place.

In the Best Non-Traditional Chili class, Ryan Jones of Ankeny won first place and $75. Kyle Barton of West Des Moines earned second place, and Roth claimed third place.

Entries were judged on taste, appearance and originality of the recipe.

Quality Triumphs Over Quantity in State Fair Foods Contest

June Walker of Ankeny took home first place and $100 in the Quality, Not Quantity foods contest judged Sunday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Pamela Cooper Ringgold of Mount Ayr won second place, and Norita Solt of Bettendorf took third.

The Quality, Not Quantity contest asked entrants to create small portions of food that were big on flavor. Dishes were required to be low in fat and carbohydrates, include at least 18 grams of protein, and not be more than one cup in total volume.

The entries were judged on taste, good nutritional value, creativity and appearance/presentation.

Small Kitchen No Big Problem for State Fair Ribbon-Winning RV Cooks

Natalie Ridgway of Johnston demonstrated her ability to cook within the confines of a small kitchen and claimed first place in the Cooking in an RV competition judged Tuesday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Second place honors were awarded to Jennifer Abbott of Ankeny, and Joyce Larson of New Market took third.

Entries were judged on ease of preparation, taste and appearance. The top three finishers were awarded cash premiums.

Iowans Win Potluck Contest at State Fair

Iowa chefs brought their most crowd-pleasing dishes in the Puckerbrush Potluck competition, judged Sunday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Entries are judged on taste, appearance and presentation as well as an explanation of how the entrant's dish encourages a sense of community.

Jennifer Abbott, Ankeny, won third place in the bread category.

Marshmallow Crème is the Key Ingredient for Success in State Fair Fudge Contest

Karen Cross of Ankeny and Carole Miller of Otley took home blue ribbons in the Fudge competition judged Monday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair. The contest invited entrants to incorporate one of two varieties of their product into their favorite fudge recipe to create their "best ever" fudge.

In the category using Solo Marshmallow Crème, Cross took first while Diane Caron-Smith of Winterset earned second and Missy Johansen of Urbandale got third. Miller and Brenda Becker of Pella both earned honorable mentions.

In the category using Solo Toasted Marshmallow Crème, Miller grabbed the top spot, Caron-Smith took second and Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville claimed third place honors.

Winners received cash prizes and product samples from Solo.

Sweet Taste of Victory in State Fair Sorghum Cooking Contest

The versatility of Iowa-grown sorghum as a sweetener was on display in the Cooking with Sorghum competition judged Tuesday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

In the Bread class, Randall Kult of Ankeny won first place. Kathleen Olesen of Des Moines took second place, and Marjorie Rodgers of Indianola claimed third place.

Judy Thompson of Ankeny won first place in the Desserts class. Jan Trometer of Jamaica took second place, and Lana Ross of Indianola claimed third place.

In the Sorghum Challenge class, Joyce Larson of New Market took first place. Rodgers claimed second place, and Patty Davis of Des Moines earned third place.

Entries were judged on taste, appearance and best use of sorghum.