Food - Cake Takes the Gold(ie's)

Top Tier Cakes Win State Fair Layer Cake Awards

Bakers from across the state put their cakes to the test in the Cake Takes the Gold(ie’s) competition judged Thursday, August 10, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Darcy Hosier of Norwalk won First Place Overall in the Layer Cake class. Brian Keul of West Des Moines earned Second and Third Places Overall.

In the One-Layer Cake and Cupcake class, Nanette Everly of Batavia won First Place Overall. Meredith Willey of Norwalk claimed Second Place Overall and Mary Priske of Coralville earned Third Place Overall.

Ann Gillotti of Ankeny won the Sweepstakes award.

Keul and Marcia Miller of Des Moines tied for reserve sweepstakes honors.

Entries were judged on texture, appearance and flavor.

Additional results follow:

Layer Cake - Black Forest

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

Layer Cake - Butter

1) Jamie Buelt, Polk City

Layer Cake - Butter Pecan

1) None awarded

Layer Cake - Cake Mix Fix-Up

1) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

2) Brooke Mickelson, Clive

3) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

Layer Cake - Carrot (frosted)

1) Dawn Osmonson Sturm, Waukee

2) Bryan Herold, Indianola

3) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

Layer Cake - Chocolate (frosted)

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

2) Jessica Denner, Polk City

Sarah Olson, Des Moines

Layer Cake - Chocolate Fudge

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

Layer Cake - Chocolate Sour Cream

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

2) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

3) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

Layer Cake - Coconut

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

Layer Cake - Coconut Cake with Lemon Filling

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

2) Jessica Denner, Polk City

Layer Cake - German Chocolate

1) Melissa Toney, Lamoni

Layer Cake - Italian Crème Cake

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

Layer Cake - Pink Champagne

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

2) Brooke Mickelson, Clive

Layer Cake - Red Waldorf

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

2) Jessica Denner, Polk City

3) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

Layer Cake - Spice

1) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

2) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

Layer Cake - Triple Layer Lemon

1) Jessica Denner, Polk City

2) Jeffrey King, Newton

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Layer Cake - Walnut Mocha

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Layer Cake - Whipped Cream

1) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

Layer Cake - Yellow (frosted)

1) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

Layer Cake - Split Layer Cake or Torte

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

2) Joseph Barsetti, West Des Moines

Layer Cake - Layer Cake Other Than

1) Darcy Hosier, Norwalk

2) Lori Richman, Waukee

3) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

Layer Cake - Overall Winners

1) Darcy Hosier, Norwalk

2) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

3) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes – Angel Food

1) Nanette Everly, Batavia

2) Matthew Walz, Marion

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Bundt

1) DeeDee Kennedy, Des Moines

2) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

3) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Cake Rolls

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Carrot (frosted)

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Chiffon

1) Mary Priske, Coralville

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Coffee (non-yeast)

1) Mary Priske, Coralville

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Creations with Cake Mixes

1) Sara Carlson, Des Moines

2) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

3) Christina Mccleary, Des Moines

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Cupcakes

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

2) Jessica Denner, Polk City

3) Phyllis Olson, Newton

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Filled Cupcakes

1) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

2) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes – Gingerbread

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

2) Mary Priske, Coralville

3) Phyllis Olson, Newton

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Gluten Free

1) Melissa Toney, Lamoni

2) Julie Petersen, Knoxville

3) Jessica Denner, Polk City

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Oatmeal

1) Mary Priske, Coralville

2) Rachel Petersen, Knoxville

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Pineapple Upside Down

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Phyllis Olson, Newton

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Pound (unfrosted)

1) Shari Bral, Ottumwa

2) Phyllis Olson, Newton

3) Jeffrey King, Newton

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Raw Apple

1) Cindy Blubaugh, Des Moines

2) Christina Mccleary, Des Moines

3) DeeDee Kennedy, Des Moines

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Rhubarb

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Jamie Buelt, Polk City

3) DeeDee Kennedy, Des Moines

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Sponge

1) None awarded

One Layer Cakes & Cupcakes - Wacky

1) Amy Herold, Indianola

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

One Layer Layer & Cupcakes - Any Fruit Cake

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Mary Priske, Coralville

3) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

One Layer Layer & Cupcakes - Cake Other Than Named (frosted or unfrosted)

1) Brooke Mickelson, Clive

2) Mary Priske, Coralville

3) Kolby Cook, Pleasant Hill

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.