Food - Famous Dave's Canned Pickles

Zeitler Dominates State Fair Pickle Competition

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won First, Second and Third Places Overall, the Sweepstakes title and a total of $175 in cash awards in the Famous Dave’s Canned Pickles competition judged Tuesday, August 8, prior to the start of the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Jacqueline Riekena of West Des Moines claimed the Reserve Sweepstakes award.

Entries were judged on flavor, consistency, appearance and food safety.

Additional results follow:

Cucumber Pickles - Bread & Butter

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Nancy Johnson, Story City

Hon Mention – George Antolik, Urbandale

Cucumber Pickles - Kosher Dill, whole, pint or quart jar

1) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Cucumber Pickles - Quick Fresh-Pack Dill (not fermented), whole (quart jar) or sliced horizontally or circular (pint jar)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Colene Hearshman, Des Moines

Cucumber Pickles - Reduced Sodium Sweet, sliced horizontally or circular

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Cucumber Pickles - Sour, sliced horizontally or circular

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Hon Mention – Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Cucumber Pickles - Sweet, sliced horizontally or circular

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) George Antolik, Urbandale

Hon Mention – Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Cucumber Pickles - Sweet, whole

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Cucumber Pickles - Cucumber Pickles Other Than Named, pint or quart jar

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Antolik, Urbandale

Vegetable Pickles - Asparagus

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Colene Hearshman, Des Moines

Vegetable Pickles - Beets, sliced

1) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Vegetable Pickles - Beets, whole

1) George Antolik, Urbandale

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Vegetable Pickles - Carrots

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Vegetable Pickles - Dilled Green or Yellow (Wax) Beans

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Vegetable Pickles - Green Tomatoes

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Vegetable Pickles - Hot Peppers

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Antolik, Urbandale

Vegetable Pickles - Mild to Medium Peppers

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

3) George Antolik, Urbandale

Vegetable Pickles - Mixed Vegetables, without cucumbers

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Vegetable Pickles - Squash Bread & Butter

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Vegetable Pickles - Zucchini

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Vegetable Pickles - Vegetable Pickles Other Than Named, no cucumbers

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

Fruit Pickles - Spiced Apple Rings

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Fruit Pickles - Spiced Peaches

1) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Fruit Pickles - Watermelon Rind

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

Fruit Pickles Other Than Named, pint or quart jar

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

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.