Uncanny Win for Iowa City Man in Fair Canned Fruit Contest
August 12, 2011
Rod Zeitler of Iowa City earned both First and Second Places Overall in the C&H Canned Fruits contest judged Wednesday, August 10, prior to the start of the 2011 Iowa State Fair.
Zeitler’s Spiced Apple Rings took the top prize, and his Pineapple claimed the runner-up spot.
Erin Kramer of Nevada won Third Place Overall with Apple Pie Filling. The Sweepstakes award went to Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville. Zeitler claimed Reserve Sweepstakes honors.
Entries were judged on appearance, selection of products and food safety.
Competition results follow:
Apples
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Applesauce
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Brenda Becker, Pella
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Spiced Apple Rings
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Apricots
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
3) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Blackberries
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Kiwis
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Mixed Fruits
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Berries Other Than Named
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Erin Kramer, Nevada
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Bing Cherries
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Pears Amaretto
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Fruit Juice
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Peaches
1) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
Pears
1) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Pineapple
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
3) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Plums
1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
Rhubarb
1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City
2) Kaye Rupprecht, Beacon
Fruits (except berries) Other Than Named
1) Erin Kramer, Nevada
2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville
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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