Who Won What at the State Fair: Part 9

Scholastic Competitors Crowned Chess Champions at State Fair

Contestants competed in Scholastic and Speed Chess Tournaments held Aug. 17 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Cub Noble of Ankeny participated in the scholastic chess division with others in the high school age bracket.

Ribbons Awarded in Horse and Pony Pulling Competitions at the Iowa State Fair

Horses and ponies pulled for ribbons during the Horse and Pony Pulling competitions held Saturday, Aug. 13, and Sunday, Aug. 14, at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Bobby Spooner of Ankeny participated in the horse pulling light class.

Cookie of the Fair Title Won by Jewell Baker

J. Matthew Schutt of Jewell won First Place Overall in the ever popular Midwest Living Cookies competition judged Aug. 9-10 prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Contestants from across the state entered their best creations in 58 individual cookie classes.

Karen Pavlik of Waukee took Second Place Overall, and Tammy Post of West Des Moines earned Third Place Overall.

Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville won the Sweepstakes award while Reserve Sweepstakes honors went to Natalie Ridgway of Johnston.

Entries were judged on taste, texture and general appearance.

Ankeny participants included:

• Rhonda Steward, third place, brownies (frosted).
• Betsy Ratashak-Vogel, third place, oatmeal raisin cookies; second place, ranger cookies.
• Bettye Banning, third place, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.
• Cassandra Hyatt, third place, bar (frosted or unfrosted).

Grundy Center Cook Smokes Competition in State Fair Brisket Contest

Phil Dicks of Grundy Center won first place in the Famous Dave's Blue Ribbon Brisket competition judged Aug. 18 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny earned second place, and Bryce Wehrle of Lynnville claimed third place.

Each brisket entered in this contest must have been smoked and not baked. They also must have been smoked the day of the contest. Entries were judged on smoke flavor, appearance, moisture and texture.

Baby Back Ribs Featured in State Fair Contest

Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny won first place in the Famous Dave's Big Baby Contest judged Aug. 18 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Ron Lutz of West Des Moines earned second place, and Phil Dicks of Grundy Center claimed third place.

Entries were judged on smoked flavor, appearance and creativity.

Country Sunday Casserole Takes First in State Fair Contest

Emmet Clemsen of Brayton won First Place Overall for his Country Sunday Casserole in the Kerry's Kreative Kasseroles contest judged Aug. 17 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Karen Cross of Ankeny took Second Place Overall with her Chicken Slivered Almond Casserole. Clemsen and Cross placed first and second respectively in the Kreative Chicken Kasserole category before being named overall winners.

Entries were judged on creativity, best use of product and taste.

Young Bakers Craft Critter Cupcakes in Iowa State Fair Competition

Joesphine Hyatt Crabb of Ankeny and Eden Cross of Des Moines took the top spot in the Critter Cupcakes competition judged Aug. 18 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Crabb took first place in the ages 5 to 8 division of the competition. Second place in the division was awarded to Katie Fees of Des Moines, and Clarissa Ridgway of Johnston placed third.

In the ages 10 to14 division of the competition, Eden Cross earned first place while Levi Cross, also of Des Moines, placed second and Sophia Ridgway of Johnston took third.

Competitors Compete with Old Family Recipes in State Fair Food Contest

Two area cooks collected top honors in the My Grandparents' Favorite Food contest judged Aug. 18 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Emmy Thomas of Des Moines took first place in the Main Dish/Side Dish class. Second place went to Alex Johnson of West Des Moines, and Joshua Abbott of Ankeny collected third. An honorable mention went to Katie Fees of Des Moines.

In the Snack/Dessert category, Lucas Kozak of Carlisle placed first, and Sasha McCoy of Hartford collected second. Third place was awarded to Jenny Petersen of Knoxville, while Gabby McCoy of Hartford secured an honorable mention.

The competition, open to entrants age 17 and under, asked competitors to create a dish their grandparents would serve them. Entries were then judged on taste, ease of preparation and appearance.

Des Moines Woman Finds Comfort in Victory at State Fair Foods Contest

Anita Van Gundy of Des Moines collected top honors in the Nostalgic Comfort Food contest judged Aug. 15 at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Van Gundy secured First Place Overall with her Cherry Crisp. Second Place Overall was awarded to Christine Hollister, also of Des Moines, for her Mom's Meatloaf. Cheryl Rogers of Ames earned Third Place Overall for her Waldorf Salad.

Entries were judged on taste, originality and appearance.

Denise Andreas of Ankeny won second place in the side dish category.