Food - Bob's Red Mill Yeast Breads

State Fair Yeast Bread Winners Rise to the Top to Claim Top Awards

Pam Van Essen of Ottumwa won first place and a $125 gift card in the Bob’s Red Mill Yeast Breads competition judged Friday, August 11, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Charlie Baumhover of Indianola earned Second Place Overall and a $75 gift card. Jeffery King of Newton claimed Third Place Overall and a $50 gift card.

Each entrant was required to use Bob’s Red Mill flour in the bread creation, which were judged on flavor, texture and appearance.

Complete results follow:

Anadama

1) None awarded

Artisan

1) Eli Bailey, Urbandale

2) Charlie Baumhover, Indianola

3) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

Beer

1) None awarded

Black Olive Pesto Bread

1) Cecilia Naughton, Nevada

Braided

1) Sandy McCullough, Carlisle

2) Connie Schaffer-Sherman, Pleasant Hill

Bread Machine Bread

1) Mary Burr, Iowa City

2) Colette Wortman, Urbandale

3) Diane Rauh, Des Moines

Hon Mention – Phyllis Olson, Newton

Caraway Rye

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Jeffrey King, Newton

3) Ronald Marr, Waukee

Cheese

1) Connie Schaffer-Sherman, Pleasant Hill

2) Sandy McCullough, Carlisle

3) Phyllis Olson, Newton

Cheesy Potato

1) None awarded

Cinnamon

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

3) Cecilia Naughton, Nevada

Dill Batter

1) Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

2) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

Egg

1) None awarded

English Muffin

1) None awarded

Focaccia

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Linda Collings, Orient

French

1) Jenna Brady, Runnells

2) Sandy Mccullough, Carlisle

3) Connie Schaffer-Sherman, Pleasant Hill

Gluten Free

1) Jennifer Simonton, Waukee

2) Mary Burr, Iowa City

3) Melissa Toney, Lamoni

Herb

1) Charles Baumhover, Indianola

Mixed Grain

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Sandy McCullough, Carlisle

3) Cindy Paulsen, Cedar Rapids

Oatmeal

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

3) Phyllis Olson, Newton

Potato

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) None awarded

3) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

Raisin

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Cecilia Naughton, Nevada

Raisin-Cinnamon

1) Pam Van Essen, Ottumwa

2) Peri Halma, West Des Moines

Raisin-Oatmeal

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

Rye

1) None awarded

2) Phyllis Olson, Newton

Seven Grain

1) None awarded

Sourdough

1) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

2) Ronald Marr, Waukee

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

White

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Cecilia Naughton, Nevada

3) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

Whole Wheat

1) Ronald Marr, Waukee

2) Sandy Mccullough, Carlisle

3) Grant Gerlock, Des Moines

Yeast Bread Other Than Named

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

3) Cecilia Naughton, Nevada

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