Food: Gold(ie's) Quick Breads

Quick Breads Put to Test

The best bread bakers from across the state put their top creations to the test in the Gold(ie’s) Quick Breads Competition judged Friday, August 16, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Jeffrey King of Newton won First Place Overall and a $50 cash award.

Meredith Willey of Norwalk claimed Second Place Overall and a $30 cash award.

Crystal Cronk of Fairfield earned Third Place Overall and a $15 cash award.

Molly Thomas of Centerville won the Sweepstakes award.

Meredith Willey also received the Reserve Sweepstakes Award.

Entries were judged on flavor/aroma, texture and general appearance.

Complete results follow:

Banana Bread (without Nuts)

• Bryan Herold, Indianola

• Roger Baker, Ankeny

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

Banana Nut Bread

• Natalie Larson, Des Moines

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Phyllis Olson, Newton

Beer Bread

• Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

Cheese Bread

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

• Sara Carlson, Des Moines

• None awarded

Dried Fruit (date, raisin, cranberry, etc.)

• Natalie Larson, Des Moines

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

• Darlene Mashek, West Des Moines

Fresh Fruit Bread (orange, lemon, etc.)

• Meredith Willey, Norwalk

• Roger Baker, Ankeny

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

Cranberry Orange Bread

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Phyllis Olson, Newton

• None awarded

Pumpkin Bread (without nuts)

• Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

• Natalie Larson, Des Moines

• Meredith Willey, Norwalk

Pumpkin Nut Bread

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Natalie Larson, Des Moines

• Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

Pumpkin Fruit Bread (with raisins, etc.)

• Natalie Larson, Des Moines

• Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

Sour Cream Cinnamon Bread

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Natalie Larson, Des Moines

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

Vegetable (excludes pumpkin and zucchini)

• Meredith Willey, Norwalk

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

• Belinda Meyers, Osceola

Zucchini Bread

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Kathy Poetting, Des Moines

• None

Any Other Quick Bread Loaf

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Phyllis Olson, Newton

• Ellen Even, Ankeny

Fruit Muffins (dried or fresh)

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

• Mary Ann Nielsen, Des Moines

Nut Muffins

• Jeffrey King, Newton

• None awarded

• None awarded

Vegetable Muffins

• Meredith Willey, Norwalk

• Nanette Everly, Batavia

• None awarded

Traditional Corn Bread

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

• None awarded

Non-Traditional Corn Bread (includes additional ingredients)

• Jeni Johnson, Roland

• Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

Coffee Cake

• Meredith Willey, Norwalk

• Belinda Meyers, Osceola

• Kirsten Anderson, Waukee

Traditional Biscuits

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• None awarded

Flavored Biscuits

• Jeffrey King, Newton

• Barb Miller, Prairie City

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

Traditional Scones

• Molly Thomas, Centerville

• Jeffrey King, Newton

• None awarded

Flavored Scones

• Crystal Cronk, Fairfield

• Jeffrey King, Newton

• Evan Rector, West Des Moines

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.

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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 170 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. Catch Fair Fever at the Iowa State Fair, August 8-18, 2024. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.