Iowa City Cook Claims Top Three State Fair Conserves Prizes

DES MOINES, IA (09/13/2024) (readMedia)-- Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won First, Second and Third Overall places and a total of $300 in gift cards in the Fleet Farm Canned Conserves competition judged Wednesday, August 7, prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Zeitler also won the Sweepstakes award. George Ellerbach of Iowa City claimed Reserve Sweepstakes honors.

Conserves are similar to jam in consistency. Conserves generally contain two or more fruits, one of which is usually a citrus fruit. They contain nuts and or raisins and are flavored the accompany meat and poultry, but may also be used as spreads on breads.

Entries were judged on flavor, consistency, appearance and food safety.

Additional results follow:

Apple

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Terri Sinclair, Cumming

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Apricot

1) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Apricot in Combination

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Peach

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Peach in Combination

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Pear

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Rhubarb in Combination

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Joy Russell, Des Moines

Fruit Other Than Named

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

3) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

Fruit in Combination Other Than Named

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Joy Russell, 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.