Food: Sunday Dinner at Mom's (Grandma's)

Home Cooking Claims State Fair Honors

Sharon Lesan of Ankeny won First Place Overall and a $100 cash award in the Sunday Dinner at Mom’s competition judged Sunday, August 11, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Fred Abraham of Cedar Falls claimed Second Place Overall and $50. Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines earned Third Place Overall and $25.

Wyatt Swinton of Ankeny won the Outstanding Youth Exhibit award.

Contestants were challenged to create award-worthy main dishes, desserts, side dishes and snacks that were served at Sunday dinners.

Entries were judged on taste, story to accompany the entry and appearance.

Additional results follow:

Main Dish (Beef or Chicken)

1) Sharon Lesan, Ankeny

2) Kyle Barton, West Des Moines

3) Joyce Larson, New Market

Dessert

1) Fred Abraham, Cedar Falls

2) Julie Peterson, Knoxville

3) Sharon Lesan, Ankeny

Fruit Side Dish

1) None awarded

2) None awarded

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Vegetable Side Dish

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rose Ridgway, Johnston

3) Molly Thomas, Centerville

Snack (youth only, ages 6-17)

1) Wyatt Swinton, Ankeny

2) Caitlin Caffrey, Ankeny

3) None awarded

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.