Iowa City Cook Claims Conserves Crown
August 12, 2011
Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won both First and Second Places Overall in the C&H Canned Conserves contest judged Wednesday, August 10, prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.
Zeitler’s Apricot Cranberry Conserve topped entrants in 11 different categories of competition. His Apricot Conserves claimed the runner-up spot.
Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville earned Third Place Overall with Cherry-Raspberry Conserve. Sweepstakes honors went to Zeitler while Tarbell-Thomas collected Reserve Sweepstakes honors.
Conserves are similar to jam with the same consistency. Conserves generally, but not always, contain two or more fruits, one of which is usually a citrus fruit. They contain nuts, raisins or coconut. In their purest form, conserves contain both nuts and raisins. They are flavored to accompany meat and poultry; however, they may also be used as spreads on breads.
Entries were judged on flavor, appearance, consistency and food safety.
Additional results below:
Apple
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Cathy Stahlman, Ames
3) Terri Sinclair, Cumming
Apricot
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Peach
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Pear
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Cathy Stahlman, Ames
3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Plum Nutty
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Gooseberry
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Grape
1) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Apricot in Combination
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Peach in Combination
1) Terri Sinclair, Cumming
2) Cathy Stahlman, Ames
3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Rhubarb in Combination
1) Cathy Stahlman, Ames
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
3) Louise Piper, Garner
Fruit in Combination Other Than Named
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Louise Piper, Garner
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. Due to the large number of classes, Food Department judging begins prior to the Fair in the recently-renovated Elwell Family Food Center sponsored by Blue Bunny.
“Nothing Compares” to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.
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