Food - Casey's Junior Favorite Creations

Young Chefs Get Creative in the Kitchen

Aspiring cooks between the ages of 6 and 11 squared off in 26 classes of competition to win top honors in the Casey’s Junior Favorite Creations contest judged Thursday, August 17, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Addison Spencer of Stanton won First Place Overall.

Rosa Woods of Des Moines claimed Second Place Overall. Gwen Livingston of Shannon City took home Third Place Overall and the Sweepstakes award.

Spencer and Analisea Patterson of Des Moines tied for the Reserve Sweepstakes award.

Entries were judged on taste, texture, appearance and creativity.

Complete results follow:

Candy & Snacks - Candy Coated Pretzels

1) Simon Patterson, Des Moines

Candy & Snacks - Fudge

1) Addison Spencer, Stanton

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Candy & Snacks - Peanut Clusters

1) Addison Spencer, Stanton

2) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Candy & Snacks - Puppy Chow

1) Malik Kooi, Des Moines

2) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Candy & Snacks - Snack Mix

1) Tyce Parrish, Diagonal

2) Addison Spencer, Stanton

3) Malik Kooi, Des Moines

Cookies & Bars - Cereal Cookies

1) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

Cookies & Bars - Chocolate Brownies

1) Juniper Oleson, Des Moines

2) Simon Patterson, Des Moines

3) Malik Kooi, Des Moines

Hon Mention - Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Cookies & Bars - Chocolate Chip Cookies, with nuts

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Cookies & Bars - Chocolate Chip Cookies, without nuts

1) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

2) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

3) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars - Gluten Free Cookies

None awarded

Cookies & Bars - M&M Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

Cookies & Bars - Oatmeal Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Cookies & Bars - Peanut Butter Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars - Rice Krispie Bars

1) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

2) Malik Kooi, Des Moines

Cookies & Bars - Snickerdoodle Cookies

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Malik Kooi, Des Moines

3) Regan Oberembt, Osceola

Cookies & Bars - Sugar Cookies

1) Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

2) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

3) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

Cookies & Bars - Unbaked Cookies or Bars

None awarded

Cookies & Bars - Bars Other Than Named

1) Addison Spencer, Stanton

2) Phillip Reeder, Des Moines

3) Norah Reeder, Des Moines

Cookies & Bars - Cookies Other Than Named

1) Morgan Mayberry, Urbandale

2) Addison Spencer, Stanton

3) Henry Wilson, Waukee

Quick Breads - Banana Bread (with nuts)

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Molly Wilson, Waukee

Quick Breads - Pumpkin Bread (with or without added fruit or nuts)

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Quick Breads - Other Quick Bread Loaf

1) Cora Oleson, Des Moines

Other - Cake (two-layer, frosted)

1) Rosa Woods, Des Moines

Other - Creations with Cake Mixes

1) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

2) Nora Petersen, Knoxville

3) Rosa Woods, Des Moines

Other - Cupcakes (frosted)

1) Rosa Woods, Des Moines

2) Emily Wilson, Waukee

3) Margot Harshbarger Reis, Waukee

Other - Any Entry Other Than Named

None awarded

Overall Winners

1) Addison Spencer, Stanton

2) Rosa Woods, Des Moines

3) Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes – Gwen Livingston, Shannon City

TIE – Reserve Sweepstakes – Addison Spencer, Stanton

TIE – Reserve Sweepstakes - Analisea Patterson, Des Moines

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.