Des Moines Food Creator Wins Big Business Break at the State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2018) (readMedia)-- The search for the next big Iowa food product took place at The Great Iowa Food Challenge judged Friday at the 2018 Iowa State Fair.

Overall Winner Eileen Gannon of Des Moines will receive a commercial production run of 20 cases of her food product, including packaging and labeling. Her creation will also be featured for sale at the Indianola Hy-Vee grocery store.

Entries were judged on taste, execution and appearance.

Results below:

BBQ Sauce

1) Lucas Deiber, Denison

2) Russell Place, Norwalk

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Dry Rub

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Kathryn Ryan, Huxley

3) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

Fruit Spreads (jam, jelly, marmalade)

1) Kim Ogle, West Des Moines

2) Terri Sinclair, Cumming

3) Eileen Gannon, Des Moines

Salsa

1) Kyle Barton, West Des Moines

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Julie Heathcote, West Des Moines

Sauce Open Class (hot sauce, marinara, wing sauce, marinade, etc.)

1) Eileen Gannon, Des Moines

2) Pchan's Kitchen Aka Bubble Tea Kups, Des Moines

3) Todd Buffington, Des Moines

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 171 divisions, 727 classes and over 9,574 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 Moments, August 9-19, 2018. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.