Chalk Up A Chocolate Victory for Clive Cook

DES MOINES, IA (08/18/2017) (readMedia)-- Susan Hanke of Clive won first place and a $50 gift certificate in the Innovative Chocolate competition, judged Wednesday at the 2017 Iowa State Fair.

Pamela Reynolds of Norwalk claimed second place and Aaron Barker of Des Moines earned third place.

Contestants were challenged to create an award winning dish that featured chocolate or cocoa in the recipe.

Entries were judged on innovation, appearance and taste.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 177 divisions, 769 classes and over 9,856 entries at this year's Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny Ice Cream.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to State Fair Thrills, August 10-20, 2017. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.