Teen Cooks Claim State Fair Honors

DES MOINES, IA (08/16/2018) (readMedia)-- The top teen cooks from across the state squared off in 44 different divisions of competition in the Casey's Intermediate Favorite Creations competition judged Friday, August 10, at the 2018 Iowa State Fair.

Preston Runyan of Clarinda won First Place Overall and a $100 gift card.

Emma Deer of Clive earned Second Place Overall and Cecelia Finnegan of West Des Moines claimed Third Place Overall.

Joseph Ridgway of Johnston won the Sweepstakes award and Lauren Gilbert of West Des claimed the Reserve Sweepstakes honors.

Entries were judged on taste, texture, appearance and creativity.

Results below:

All Butter Cookies

1) Megan McGuire, Johnston

2) Carla Edleman, Cambridge

3) Piper Sunvold, Cedar Falls

Appetizers

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnson

Apple Pie

1) Anthony Lebo, Ankeny

Banana Nut Bread

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

Cake Balls

1) None awarded

Cake Mix Fix-Up Cookies

1) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

2) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

3) Megan Ford, Ankeny

Cereal Cookies

1) Tate Dingman, Grimes

2) Megan Ford, Ankeny

Chocolate Almond Biscotti

1) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

2) None awarded

3) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

Chocolate Brownies (no nuts)

1) Laycee Anderson, Ankeny

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Maeve Janssen, Marshalltown

Chocolate Brownies (with nuts)

1) None awarded

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Joseph Ridgway, Johnson

Chocolate Cake (one layer)

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

2) Tate Dingman, Grimes

3) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

Honorable Mention – Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

1) Ella Peterson, Red Oak

2) Maeve Janssen, Marshalltown

Chocolate Fudge (plain)

1) Maeve Janssen, Marshalltown

Creations With Cake Mixes

1) Preston Scott Runyon, Clarinda

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Dip for Chips

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

Fruit Dessert

1) Carla Edleman, Cambridge

Gingerbread

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Gingersnap Cookies

1) Megan Ford, Ankeny

2) Noah Ford, Ankeny

Gluten Free Dessert

1) Emma Derr, Clive

2) Megan McGuire, Johnston

3) None

Hamburger Soup

1) None awarded

Jam Bars

1) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

2) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

M&M Cookies

1) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

2) Piper Sunvold, Cedar Falls

Macaroni & Cheese

1) None awarded

Molasses Cookies

1) Cameron Wheeler, Cumming

2) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

3) Megan Ford, Ankeny

My Mom or Dad's Favorite Cookie

1) Tate Dingman, Grimes

2) Emma Derr, Clive

3) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

Honorable Mention – Carla Edleman, Cambridge

Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins and/or Other Fruits

1) None awarded

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Joseph Ridgway, Johnson

Party Mix - Sweet

1) None awarded

2) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

3) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

Peanut Butter Cookies

1) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

2) Cecelia Finnegan, West Des Moines

Pumpkin Bread (without nuts)

1) Preston Scott Runyon, Clarinda

2) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

3) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

S'mores

1) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

2) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

3) Megan Ford, Ankeny

Salsa

1) Preston Scott Runyon, Clarinda

2) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

Sandwich Cookie

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Snickerdoodle Cookies

1) Cameron Wheeler, Cumming

2) Cecelia Finnegan, West Des Moines

3) Tate Dingman, Grimes

Special Treats for Santa

1) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

2) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

Sugar Cookies (drop)

1) Tate Dingman, Grimes

2) Piper Sunvold, Cedar Falls

3) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

Sugared Nuts

1) None awarded

Twice Baked Potatoes

1) Cecelia Finnegan, West Des Moines

Unbaked Cookies

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

2) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

3) Cameryn Clifton, Ankeny

Waffle Cookies

1) None awarded

Walking Tacos

1) Clarissa Ridgway, Johnston

Bars Other Than Named

1) Lauren Gilbert, West Des Moines

2) Paige Hilgerson, West Des Moines

3) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

Cookies Other Than Named

1) Anthony Lebo, Ankeny

2) Sasha McCoy, Hartford

3) Paige Hilgerson, West Des Moines

Pies Other Than Named

1) Joseph Ridgway, Johnston

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.