Winterset Cook Goes Hog-Wild in State Fair Bacon Contest Win

DES MOINES, IA (08/17/2023) (readMedia)-- Susie Jones of Winterset won First Place Overall and a $250 cash award in the Bacon, Bacon, Bacon – Iowa's Best competition, judged Friday, August 11, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny claimed both Second and Third Places Overall and a total of $150 in cash awards.

Contestants were tasked to create and award worthy bacon-centric dish and accompany that entry with a short narrative regarding the inspiration for the food.

Entries were judged on taste, creativity, appearance and accompanying story.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There are 138 divisions, 695 classes and over 6,800 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 over 160 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. Best Days Ever at the Iowa State Fair, August 10-20, 2023. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.