Food: Casey's Junior Favorite Creations

Young Chefs Get Creative in the Kitchen

Aspiring cooks between the ages of 6 and 11 squared off in more than 20 classes of competition to win top honors in the Casey’s Junior Favorite Creations contest, judged Thursday, August 15, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Juniper Oleson of Des Moines won First Place Overall.

Nora Petersen of Knoxville claimed Second Place Overall and Reserve Sweepstakes award. Brinley Lansman of Indianola took home Third Place Overall.

Anna Petersen of Knoxville received the Sweepstakes award.

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

Complete results follow:

Caseys Junior Favorite Creations

Candy & Snacks: Candy Coated Pretzels

1) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

2) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

3) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

HM) Simon Patterson, Des Moines

Candy & Snacks: Fudge

1) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

2) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

Candy & Snacks: Peanut Clusters

1) Wyatt Swinton, Ankeny

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

3) Sadie Akers, Kellerton

Candy & Snacks: Puppy Chow

1) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

2) Jansen Petersen, Knoxville

Candy & Snacks: Snack Mix

1) Jansen Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars: Chocolate Cookies

1) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

3) Juniper Oleson, Des Moines

HM) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Cookies & Bars: Chocolate Brownies

1) Juniper Oleson, Des Moines

2) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Cookies & Bars: Chocolate Chip Cookies, With Nuts

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Kara Kuhlman, Ames

3) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Without Nuts

1) Annika Akkermann, Prescott

2) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

3) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars: Gluten Free Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Cookies & Bars: M&M Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Cookies & Bars: Oatmeal Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

3) Jansen Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars: Peanut Butter Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Simon Patterson, Des Moines

3) Annika Akkermann, Prescott

Cookies & Bars: Rice Krispie Bars

1) Brinley Lansman, Indianola

2) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

3) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

HM) Norah Reeder, Des Moines

Cookies & Bars: Snickerdoodle Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars: Sugar Cookies

1) Max Lansman, Indianola

2) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

3) Jansen Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars: Unbaked Cookies or Bars

1) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

3) Jasper Sommars, Colfax

Cookies & Bars: Bars Other Than Named

1) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

2) Zoe Praska, Urbandale

3) Annika Akkermann, Prescott

Cookies & Bars: Cookies Other Than Named,

1) Annika Akkermann, Prescott

2) Brooklyn Sievers, Ames

3) Jansen Petersen, Knoxville

HM) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Quick Breads: Banana Bread

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Quick Breads: Pumpkin Bread

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Other: Cake

1) Rosa Woods, Des Moines

2) Annika Akkermann, Prescott

Other: Creations w/ Cake Mixes

1) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

2) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

3) Jade Sommars, Colfax

Other: Any Entry Other Than Named

1) Jade Sommars, Colfax

2) Henry Severson, Story City

3) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Sweepstakes & Reserve - Junior Creations

1) Anna Petersen, Knoxville

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Overall - Junior Creations

1) Juniper Oleson, Des Moines

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

3) Brinley Lansman, Indianola

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 140 divisions, 726 classes and nearly 6,400 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.