Food - Iowa's Best Desserts Championship

Iowa’s Best Desserts Win at State Fair

Matthew Phoenix of Ankeny was the Overall Winner in the Iowa’s Best Desserts Championship on Thursday, August 17, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Brooklynn Sedlock of Indianola was the Second Overall Winner, and Maren Scharf of Urbandale was the Third Overall Winner.

Entries are judged on taste/flavor, appearance/presentation and written story.

Complete results follow:

Cakes/Cheesecakes

1) Maren Scharf, Urbandale

2) Brooklynn Sedlock, Indianola

3) Olivia Smith, Winterset

Candy/Confections

1) Sara Carlson, Des Moines

2) Brooklynn Sedlock, Indianola

3) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

Cookies/Bars

1) Robin Tarbell-Thomas, Centerville

2) Jacqueline Riekena, West Des Moines

3) Brooklynn Sedlock, Indianola

Crème Brule/Flans

None awarded

Cupcakes

None awarded

Ice Cream or Frozen Desserts

1) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

2) Brant Kassel, Des Moines

3) Sara Carlson, Des Moines

Pies/Cobbler-types

1) Brooklynn Sedlock, Indianola

2) Annie Jones, Iowa City

Charcuterie Board Pairings

1) Alissa Puffett, West Des Moines

Overall Winners

1) Matthew Phoenix, Ankeny

2) Brooklynn Sedlock, Indianola

3) Maren Scharf, Urbandale

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.