Food - Be Creative with Mrs. Wages

Iowa City Cook Claims State Fair Creative Canning Crown

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won first place and a $350 gift card in the Be Creative with Mrs. Wages competition judged Sunday, August 13, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Sharon Lesan of Ankeny claimed second place and a $100 gift card. Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines earned third place and a $50 gift card.

Contestants were tasked to create an award-worthy dish using either pickles or tomatoes canned with a Mrs. Wages product.

Entries were judged on taste and appearance.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. There were 138 divisions, 695 classes and over 6,800 entries at this year’s Fair. Food Department judging was held in the Elwell Family Food Center.