Food - Pies from the Heartland

Leading Pie Bakers Claim State Fair Ribbons

The best pie bakers from across the state put their best fruit and cream creations to the test in the Pies from the Heartland competition judged Monday, August 14, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Marianne Carlson of Jefferson won First Place Overall and a $200 cash award in the Fruit Pie Division of competition. Marcia Miller of Des Moines claimed Second Place Overall and $175. Lorraine Doke of Indianola earned Third Place Overall and $125.

Angela Miller of West Des Moines won First Place Overall and $200 in the Cream Pie Division. Tyler Roorda of West Des Moines earned Second Place Overall and $175. Marcia Miller of Des Moines claimed Third Place Overall and $125.

Marcia Miller of Des Moines won the Sweepstakes Award and Joyce Larson of New Market claimed Reserve Sweepstakes honors.

Additional results follow:

Cream Pies - Berry Cream

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Michael Smith, Ankeny

3) Angela Miller, West Des Moines

Cream Pies - Butterscotch

1) Tyler Roorda, West Des Moines

2) Phyllis Olson, Newton

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Cream Pies - Chocolate Cream

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Jessica Denner, Polk City

Cream Pies - Coconut Cream

1) Erik Francois, Des Moines

2) Gail Marske, Clive

3) Dale Sowder, Nevada

Cream Pies - Custard (traditional)

1) Angela Miller, West Des Moines

2) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Cream Pies - Key Lime

1) Diane Rauh, Des Moines

2) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Cream Pies - Lemon Meringue

1) Jackie Garnett, Des Moines

2) Dale Sowder, Nevada

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Cream Pies - Oatmeal Pecan

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Sara Giesler-Tarbox, Urbandale

3) AJ Olson, Waukee

Cream Pies - Peanut Butter

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Ahna Brandhof, Boone

3) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

Cream Pies - Pecan

1) Sandy McCullough, Carlisle

2) Dale Sowder, Nevada

3) Michael Hackbarth, North Liberty

Cream Pies - Pumpkin (one crust)

1) Angela Miller, West Des Moines

2) Ahna Brandhof, Boone

Cream Pies - Rhubarb Custard

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Larry Harker, Johnston

3) Jessica Denner, Polk City

Sour Cream Raisin

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Marjorie Macken, Readlyn

3) Alaina Ingebritson, Hubbard

Sweet Potato Pie

1) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

2) Laura Morse, Council Bluffs

Cream Pies - One Crust Cream Other Than Named

1) Gilda Boyer, Cedar Rapids

2) Jackie Garnett, Des Moines

3) Chris Myers, Boone

Fruit Pies - Apple

1) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

2) Michael Hackbarth, North Liberty

3) AJ Olson, Waukee

Fruit Pies - Apple Crumb

1) Linda Oleson-King, Johnston

2) Sandy McCullough, Carlisle

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Fruit Pies - Blueberry

1) Gilda Boyer, Cedar Rapids

2) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

3) Joyce Larson, New Market

Fruit Pies - Cherry-Raspberry

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

Lattice Top Cherry

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Shelby McCreedy, Atlantic

3) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Fruit Pies - Two Crust Cherry

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Donna Kimberley, Collins

3) Joyce Larson, New Market

Fruit Pies- Gooseberry

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Joyce Larson, New Market

3) Larry Harker, Johnston

Fruit Pies - Peach

1) Joyce Larson, New Market

2) Shelby McCreedy, Atlantic

3) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

Fruit Pies - Peach-Red Raspberry

1) Joyce Larson, New Market

2) Jessica Denner, Polk City

3) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

Fruit Pies - Black Raspberry

1) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

2) Joyce Larson, New Market

Fruit Pies - Red Raspberry

1) Joyce Larson, New Market

2) Jessica Denner, Polk City

3) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

Fruit Pies - Raspberry

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Joyce Larson, New Market

3) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

Fruit Pies - Rhubarb

1) Meredith Willey, Norwalk

2) Sandy McCullough, Carlisle

3) AJ Olson, Waukee

Fruit Pies - Strawberry-Rhubarb

1) Shelby McCreedy, Atlantic

2) Sandy McCullough, Carlisle

3) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

Fruit Pies - Strawberry (one crust)

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

Fruit Pies - Triple Cherry

1) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

2) Joyce Larson, New Market

Fruit Pies - Two Crust Berry Other Than Named

1) Lorraine Doke, Indianola

2) Gilda Boyer, Cedar Rapids

3) Nicole Moritz, Bettendorf

Fruit Pies - One Crust Fruit Other Than Named

1) Joyce Larson, New Market

2) Lorraine Doke, Indianola

Fruit Pies - Two Crust Fruit Other Than Named

1) Alaina Ingebritson, Hubbard

2) Mindy Paulson, West Des Moines

3) Lorraine Doke, Indianola

Pie Other Than Named (any crust can be used)

1) Joyce Larson, New Market

2) Donna Kimberley, Collins

3) Sara Giesler-Tarbox, Urbandale

Overall Winners - Fruit Pie

1) Marianne Carlson, Jefferson

2) Marcia Miller, Des Moines

3) Lorraine Doke, Indianola

Overall Winners - Cream Pie

1) Angela Miller, West Des Moines

2) Tyler Roorda, West Des Moines

3) Marcia Miller, 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.