Food - Salmon Surprise

West Des Moines Cook Wins State Fair Salmon Crown

Kyle Barton of West Des Moines won first place and a $250 gift card in the Salmon Surprise competition judged Thursday, August 10, at the 2023 Iowa State Fair.

Pamela Reynolds of Norwalk earned second place and Anna Kingery of Ankeny claimed third place.

Contestants were tasked with creating a delicious dish which featured salmon fillets.

Entries were judged on taste, inventiveness and appearance.

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.