Bakers Rise to the Challenge in State Fair Yeast Bread Contest

DES MOINES, IA (09/11/2024) (readMedia)-- Jennifer Simonton of Waukee won First Place Overall and a $125 gift card in the Bob's Red Mill Yeast Breads competition judged Friday, August 9, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Marianne Carlson of Jefferson earned Second Place Overall and the Sweepstakes Award and Charlie Baumhover of Indianola claimed Third Place Overall.

Jeffrey King of Newton won the Reserve Sweepstakes Award.

Entries were judged on flavor, texture and appearance.

Additional results follow:

Anadama

1) None awarded

Artisan

1) Charlie Baumhover, Indianola

2) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

Beer

1) None awarded

Black Olive Pesto Bread

1) None awarded

Braided

1) Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

2) Connie Schaffer-Sherman, Pleasant Hill

3) Jill Gregoire, Cumming

Bread Machine Bread

1) Colette Wortman, Urbandale

2) Diane Rauh, Des Moines

3) Phyllis Olson, Newton

Caraway Rye

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

Cheese

1) Connie Schaffer-Sherman, Pleasant Hill

Cheesy Potato

1) None awarded

Cinnamon

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Kolby Cook, Des Moines

Dill Batter

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

3) Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

Egg

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

English Muffin

1) None awarded

2) None awarded

3) Michelle Burgmeier, Lockridge

Focaccia

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Jill Gregoire, Cumming

3) Jenna Brady, Runnells

French

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Jenna Brady, Runnells

3) Connie Schaffer-Sherman, Pleasant Hill

Gluten Free

1) None awarded

2) Melissa Toney, Lamoni

3) Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

Herb

1) Charlie Baumhover, Indianola

2) Jenna Brady, Runnells

3) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

Mixed Grain

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

Oatmeal

1) Breann Hooper, Ackworth

Potato

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

Pumpernickel

1) None awarded

Raisin

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Raisin-Cinnamon

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Jeffrey King, Newton

Raisin-Oatmeal

1) None awarded

Rye

1) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

2) Alaina Ingebritson, Hubbard

3) Phyllis Olson, Newton

Sally Lunn

1) None awarded

Seven Grain

1) None awarded

Sourdough

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

White

1) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

2) Michelle Burgmeier, Lockridge

3) Connie Schaffer-Sherman, Pleasant Hill

Whole Wheat

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Kolby Cook, Des Moines

Yeast Bread Other Than Named

1) Michelle Burgmeier, Lockridge

2) Kolby Cook, Des Moines

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 140 divisions, 726 classes and over 6,400 entries at this year's Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began 170 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Catch Fair Fever at the Iowa State Fair, August 8-18, 2024. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.