Food - Life is Better with Cake

Let Them Eat Award-Winning Cake at the Iowa State Fair

The top made-from-scratch cakes were put to the test in the Life Is Better with Cake competition judged Friday, August 11, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Dawn Osmonson Sturm of Waukee won First Place Overall and a $200 cash award.

Belinda Myers of Osceola claimed Second Place Overall and $125. Jansen Petersen of Knoxville earned Third Place Overall and $75.

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

Additional results follow:

Single Layer Cake (Adult)

1) Belinda Myers, Osceola

2) Brooke Mickelson, Clive

3) DeeDee Kennedy, Des Moines

Two Layer Cake (Adult)

1) Dawn Osmonson Sturm, Waukee

2) Brian Keul, West Des Moines

3) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

Cake Balls (Adult)

1) Ann Gillotti, Ankeny

2) Delaney Petersen, Knoxville

Two Layer Cake (Youth)

1) Jansen Petersen, Knoxville

2) Ruby Grosc, Bondurant

Cake Balls (Youth)

1) None awarded

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.