Fancy Fungi Featured in Fair Mushroom Cooking Contest

DES MOINES, IA (09/14/2018) (readMedia)-- Ellen Fairchild from Boone won first place and a $50 cash award in the Mushroom Mania competition, judged Saturday at the 2018 Iowa State Fair.

Jody Brady from Runnells earned second place and $30.

Contestants were challenged to create an award worthy dish that featured cooked mushrooms. Entrants were judged on taste.

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.