Iowa's Natural Bounty Featured in State Fair Cooking Competition

DES MOINES, IA (08/22/2011)(readMedia)-- Dishes featuring the abundance of Iowa's natural resources were on display in the Wild Game Cook-off judged Saturday at the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Philip Doud of Clive won first place in the Meats class. Virginia Ogan of Osceola took second place, and Ileen M. Wallace of Council Bluffs won third place.

In the Nature's Harvest class, Phyllis Duncan of Des Moines won first place. Doud earned second place, and Shelby McCreedy of Atlantic took third place.

Cooks were challenged to use game and wild nuts, wild berries and wild mushrooms in award-winning fare. Entries were judged on taste, appearance and best use of wild resources.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. Food Department judging is held in the recently-renovated Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny.

The 2011 Iowa State Fair, "Nothing Compares" ends today. The 2012 Iowa State Fair is set August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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