Food: Ultimate Build It Burger Challenge

Patrick Conlan of Pleasant Hill won first place overall, a $250 cash award, Iowa’s Best Blue Ribbon Rosette and a Burger Master Apron in the Ultimate “Build It: Burger Challenge” judged Tuesday, August 13, at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Sara Carlson of Des Moines earned second place overall, a $100 cash award, Iowa’s Best Blue Ribbon Rosette and a Burger Master Apron. Connie Schaffer-Sherman of Pleasant Hill claimed third place overall, a $50 cash award, Iowa’s Best Blue Ribbon Rosette and a Burger Master Apron.

Entries were judged on taste of burger/condiments, execution, appearance/presentation and overall.

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.