Food - Fleet Farm Canned Relishes

Centerville Cook Relishes State Fair Win

Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville won First Place Overall, the Reserve Sweepstakes award and a $150 gift card in the Fleet Farm Canned Relishes competition judged Tuesday, August 8, prior to the start of the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City earned Second and Third Places Overall, the Sweepstakes award and a total of $150 in gift cards.

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

Additional results follow:

Beet

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Bell Pepper

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Chili Sauce

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Chow-Chow

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Terri Sinclair, Cumming

Chutney

1) Louise Piper, Garner

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Corn

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

Dill

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Amy Vaughn, Ankeny

3) Terri Sinclair, Cumming

End-of-the-Garden

1) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) None

Hot Pepper

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

3) George Antolik, Urbandale

Onion

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Nancy Johnson, Story City

3) Michelle Westphal, Waterloo

Piccalilli

1) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Pickle (sweet)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Amy Vaughn, Ankeny

3) Nancy Johnson, Story City

Zucchini

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

3) None

Relish Other Than Named

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) George Ellerbach, Iowa City

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.