Food: Let Them Eat Cake

Award-Winning Cakes Placed at Iowa State Fair

The top made-from-scratch cakes were put to the test in the Life Is Better with Cake competition judged Friday, August 9, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Brian Keul of West Des Moines won First Place Overall and a $200 cash award.

Marcia Miller of Des Moines earned Second Place Overall and $125. Meredith Willey of Norwalk claimed Third Place Overall and $75.

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

Additional results follow:

Single Layer Cake

1) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

2) Barbara Yankey, Clive

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Two Layer Cake

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

2) Amelia Lindsay, Ankeny

3) Joseph Barsetti, West Des Moines

Jelly Roll

1) Marcia Miller

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.