Food - Fleet Farm Canned Savory Sauces, Meats and Poultry

Centerville Cook Wins State Fair Meat and Sauce Canning Awards

Robin Tarbell-Thomas of Centerville won First Place Overall and a $150 gift card in the Fleet Farm Canned Savory Sauces, Meats and Poultry competition judged Tuesday, August 9, prior to the start of the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Martha Kunkle of Carlisle earned Second Place Overall and a $100 gift card. Jeffrey King of Newton claimed Third Place Overall and a $50 gift card.

Rod Zeitler of Iowa City won the Sweepstakes Award. King and Tarbell-Thomas tied for Reserve Sweepstakes honors.

Entries were judged on appearance, consistency, ingredient selection and food safety.

Additional results follow:

Beef

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Chicken or Turkey

1) Jeffrey King, Newton

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Fish

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

Mincemeat

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Salsa

1) Martha Kunkle, Carlisle

2) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

3) Terri Sinclair, Cumming

Spaghetti Sauce without Meat

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Marty Ryan, Des Moines

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Strips, Cubes or Chunks of Meat (beef, veal, pork or lamb)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Susan Schultz, Haverhill

Tomato Catsup

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

Tomato Sauce (seasoned)

1) Rod Zeitler, Iowa City

2) Kim Peterson, Granger

3) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

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.