Favorite Iowa Foods Win State Fair Awards

DES MOINES, IA (09/03/2024) (readMedia)-- Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville won first place and a $50 cash award in the Our Front Porch Books Favorite Iowa Foods contest judged Sunday, August 11, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Kaitlyn Heier of Ames claimed second place.

Contestants were challenged to make a dessert, main dish or any other dish that they associate with Iowa and include a short narrative on why it makes them think of the state.

Entries were judged on taste, creativity, appearance and meaning behind the dish.

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.