Food: Anything Hot

Jalapeno Pepper Dishes Win State Fair Awards

Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines won first place and a $50 cash award in the Anything Hot competition judged Saturday, August 10, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Amber Wagner of Prairie City claimed second place and Ann Gillotti of Ankeny earned third place.

Contestants were tasked to create an award-winning entry using jalapeno peppers.

Entries were judged on taste and appearance.

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.