Who Won What at the State Fair: Part 8

Winner Gets to the Meat of the Matter in State Fair Cooking Contest

Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny won first place in the Pulled Pork competition judged Aug. 16 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Ron Lutz of West Des Moines took second place, and Bryce Wehrle of Lynnville claimed third place.

Entries were judged on taste, tenderness and appearance.

Saucy Dish Earn Honors in State Fair Food Department Contest

Des Moines resident Rita Johannsen took top honors in the Cooking with Cookies' Sweet Hickory BBQ Sauce contest judged Aug. 14 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Debbie Wise of Des Moines took second place, and Angela Lawler of West Des Moines claimed third. An honorable mention was awarded to Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny.

Entries were judged on taste, creativity and appearance.

Bettendorf Cook Wins State Fair Cooking with Mrs. Clark's Contest

Norita Solt of Bettendorf won first place and a $50 cash award in the Dinner with Mrs. Clark's competition judged Aug. 13 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Christine Montalvo of Windsor Heights took second place, and Scott Andreas of Ankeny earned third place.

Cooks were challenged to use at least ½ cup of Mrs. Clark's juice in a main dish.

Entries were judged on taste, creative use of juice and appearance.

Cakes Masquerade as Animals in State Fair Contest

Julia Polson of Ankeny won first place in the Animal Face Cakes contest judged Aug. 14 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Sophia Ridgway of Johnston took second, and Levi Cross of Des Moines won third place.

Youth ages 6 to 13 were challenged to decorate a cake as an animal's face using only edible decorations.

Tart Limes "Key" to State Fair Pie Title

Emily Elliott of Urbandale won First Place Overall for her Key Lime Pie with Chocolate Crust in the Key Lime Challenge competition judged Aug. 18 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Emily Polson, Ankeny, won third place in the key lime cookies category.

Ankeny Baker Wins State Fair Butter Cookie Crown

Emily Polson of Ankeny impressed the judges and took first place in the Land O Lakes Best Butter Cookie competition judged Sunday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Julie Petersen of Knoxville claimed second, and Brenda Becker of Pella took third place.

Entries were judged on taste, creativity and presentation.

Youth Pop to Top in Popcorn Contest in State Fair

Collin Blanchard of Indianola claimed first place in the Pop-A-Treat contest judged Aug. 17 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Second place went to Julia Polson of Ankeny, and Madeline Santos of Coralville earned third. Honorable mentions were awarded to Joseph Ridgway and Clarissa Ridgway, both of Johnston.

The contest, open to youth aged 5 to 14, challenged entrants to create a popcorn snack that involved very little help from an adult. Entries were judged on taste and presentation.

Top Side Dish Highlight's the Best of Bavaria at State Fair

Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny won first place in the Hessen Haus German Potato Salad Challenge competition judged Aug. 18 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Emma Whitlock of Indianola claimed second place.

Entries were judged on taste and authenticity.

Starting Dish Earns Blue Ribbons In State Fair Food Contest

Linda Asbille of Indianola and Emily Polson of Ankeny earned top honors in the Sleepy Hollow Appetizer Contest judged Aug. 17 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Asbille took the blue ribbon in the Adult category, while Polson earned first in the Youth category.

In the Adults category, Cindie Robinette-Anderson of Des Moines earned second, and Kathleen Haley Taylor of Knoxville was awarded third place.

Garnner Clemsen of Brayton took second place in the Youth category, and Julia Polson of Ankeny won third.

Entries were judged on flavor and appearance.

Honey: A Satisfyingly Sweet Ingredient for Success at the State Fair

Honey was the star sweetener in a number of dishes and desserts in the Foods Made with Honey competition judged Monday, Aug. 15, at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Marjorie Rodgers of Indianola was named Queen Bee as the Sweepstakes winner in the competition. She won five blue ribbons and was awarded First Place Overall in the Honey Creations division in addition to placing in multiple other classes of the competition.

The Under 18 Sweepstakes winner was Laura Hollister of Des Moines.

Reserve Sweepstakes in the adult category honors went to Penny Murphy of Des Moines and Olive Jean Tarbell of Centerville.

The competition required entrants to use only honey to sweeten breads, rolls, dips, sauces, fudge, cookies, salads and even barbeque sauce.

Ankeny participants included:

• Ryan Jones, first place, honey drink; third place, barbecue sauce; second place, salad dressing; second place, dessert other than named.
• Cassedy Clifton, third place, youth entries - under 18.

Spicy Wins for Central Iowa Cooks at State Fair

Cooks from across the state squared off to see who could best use salsa and table sauce in award-winning recipes in the Juan O'Sullivans Make It Local competition, judged Saturday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Cheryl Rogers of Ames won first place in the Best Recipe Using Juan's Salsa class. Judy Thompson of Ankeny took second place, and Diane Caron-Smith of Winterset claimed third place.

In the Best Recipe Using Juan's Sauce class, Chris Hartoff of Des Moines won first place.

Entries were judged on taste, creativity and beauty.

Ankeny Cook Eyes Blue Ribbon in State Fair Potato Contest

Judy Thompson of Ankeny won First Place Overall and a $50 cash award in the Spotlighting Spuds competition judged Aug. 18 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Thompson also won first place in the convenience potatoes category.

Marjorie Rodgers of Indianola took Second Place Overall with Something Special Sweet Potatoes. Cristen C. Clark of Runnells claimed Third Place Overall with Garlic Rosemary Hasselback Potatoes.

Entries were judged on appearance, texture and flavor.

Top Bakers Collect Honors at State Fair Foods Contest

Molly Thomas of Centerville and Marjorie Rodgers of Indianola collected top honors in the Make It with Lard contest judged Aug. 15 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Thomas took First Place Overall in the Quick Breads category with her Fruit Bread. Rodger's Applesauce Cake won First Place Overall in the Desserts category. Thomas and Rodgers tied for the Sweepstakes award.

Ankeny participants included:

• Cassandra Hyatt, first place, gingerbread; second place, cakes other than named; third place, zucchini bread; third place, corn bread; third place, fruit bread.