Food: Best in Dough

Marshalltown Baker Claims State Fair Bread Baking Honors

Elly Mack of Marshalltown won First Place Overall in the Best in Dough competition judged Thursday, August 8, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Contestants were tasked with baking an award-worthy sweet or savory bread.

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

Additional results follow:

Sweet or Savory

1) Elly Mack, Marshalltown

2) Kim Kietzman, Altoona

3) Rose Ridgway, Johnston

Sourdough

1) Elly Mack, Marshalltown

2) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

3) Ronald Marr, Waukee

Focaccia Art

1) Elly Mack, Marshalltown

2) Wenda Ostrem, Iowa City

3) Mary Burr, Iowa City

Gluten-Free

1) Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

2) Natalie Larson, Des Moines

3) Elly Mack, Marshalltown

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.