Food: Fleet Farm Canned Relishes

Ellerbach of Iowa City Wins State Fair Relish Honors

George Ellerbach of Iowa City won First and Third Places Overall and the Reserve Sweepstakes Award in the Fleet Farm Canned Relishes competition judged Tuesday, August 6, prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines claimed Second Place Overall and the Sweepstakes Award.

Entries were judged on flavor, consistency, appearance and food safety.

Contest results follow:

Beet

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Bell Pepper

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Melissa Toney, Lamoni

Chili Sauce

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Chow-Chow

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Chutney

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Roger Baker, Ankeny

Corn

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Dill

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

End-of-the-Garden

1) Louise Piper, Garner

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Hot Pepper

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) George Antolik, Urbandale

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Onion

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Piccalilli

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Pickle (sweet)

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Zucchini

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Relish Other Than Named

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Louise Piper, Garner

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.