Food: Grandma Butorac's Povitica

Ankeny Baker Wins State Fair Povitica Title

Samantha Streff of Ankeny won first place and a $50 cash award in the Grandma Butorac’s Povitica competition judged Wednesday, August 7, prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Rose Ridgeway of Johnston claimed second place and $35. Jill Gregoire of Cumming earned third place and $20.

Povitica is a sweet bread made from yeast-raised dough that has been hand-rolled to a paper-thin consistency. It is wrapped around a variety of fillings, and then baked. It is popular in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and several other southeastern European countries.

Entries were judged on flavor 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.