Jefferson’s most acclaimed baker and cook has again earned a heaping helping of awards and ribbons at the Iowa State Fair.
Marianne Carlson started the first day of the fair with the sweepstakes award in the King Arthur Flour competition. She claimed first place in beer, caraway rye, mixed grain and oatmeal bread; and second place in cinnamon and white bread.
She claimed first place and a $100 cash award in the Iowa’s Best Biscotti competition. Biscotti are traditionally twice baked, oblong shaped, dry and crunchy biscuits. Entries were judged on taste, appearance and texture.
Also on Thursday she was awarded honorable mention in the Mom’s Perfect Little Cookie competition. Bakers were tasked with creating small, dainty, extremely uniform chocolate chip cookies. Entries were judged on flavor and appearance.
And in another Opening Day competition – the Hy-Vee Smiles in Every Aisle competition – Carlson placed first in layer cake- carrot.
Carlson returned to the State Fair Friday, Aug. 10, and took second place overall and $200 in the Nostalgic Comfort Food competition. She was judged first in main dish and third in dessert. Entries were judged on taste, originality and appearance, including plating on a dish that speaks to its nostalgic value. Entries were to be made from scratch and evoke “the taste of days gone by.”
The Oh My, It’s a Peach Pie competition was also judged Friday. Carlson earned third place and $75. Entries were judged on flavor, crust and appearance.
Carlson won first place and a $250 cash award in the Bud Elwell’s Old Fashion Fudge competition judged Saturday, Aug. 11. Entries were judged on taste and texture.
Also on Saturday, Carlson won first place and a $200 cash award in the Tribute to Bessie Chicken & Noodles competition. Entries were judged on taste, appearance and creativity.
That same day she won first place in the Delicious and Gluten Free Dessert competition. Judging was based on taste, texture, appearance and story.
She placed second and won $75 in the Vera Towne’s Chocolate Frosted Brownies competition and third in the Bake Your Best Bar Cookies contest
Carlson placed second in the classic Bundt cake class of the Nordic Ware Bundt Cakes competition Saturday. Entries were judged on best recipe, taste, and creativity.
The Sunday Dinner at Mom’s competition was judged Sunday, Aug. 12. Contestants were challenged to create a ribbon-worthy main dish, side dish, dessert and snack that would be served at a Sunday family dinner. Entries were judged on taste, story and appearance. Carlson placed third in main dish.
The Machine Shed Pie competition was held Monday, Aug. 13. Carlson earned first place in rhubarb-strawberry and third place in coconut cream.
