‘Is It Cake?’ winner to emcee Food Bank of Iowa’s state fair cooking competition; entry deadline July 1

DES MOINES, Iowa – Des Moines native and Sugar Freakshow bakery owner Andrew Fuller will join Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book to host the food bank’s second annual casserole competition at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 21.

Fuller won Season 1 of Netflix’s “Is It Cake?,” a series showcasing talented bakers who create elaborate cakes disguised as everyday objects – handbags, fast food, tennis shoes, toys, conch shells, red Solo® cups, suitcases and bags of money.

Food Bank of Iowa Chopped – Hot Dish Edition will be judged on the last Sunday of the fair at 1 p.m. The first-place winner will receive $1,000; second place will receive $500 and third place, $250. The competition is sponsored by Nationwide and these prizes are the largest being awarded across all Iowa State Fair food entries. (See Division 81.)

The casserole competition challenges entrants to create simple, affordable, delicious recipes using ingredients easily obtainable by food pantry guests. Entries must cost $4 or less per serving, be made in 60 or fewer minutes and include at least one ingredient from each of six categories: starch, sauce, protein, vegetable, topping and seasoning.

Entry rules are available on the Iowa State Fair’s website. The deadline for food entry tags is July 1; late entries are accepted until July 8.

Judges will be KCCI-TV anchor Eric Hanson; Marji Guyler-Alaniz, president and founder of FarmHer; Brad Liggett, president of Nationwide Agribusiness; one judge to be assigned by the Iowa State Fair; and one other celebrity judge to be announced.

Media Contact

Annette Hacker, Food Bank of Iowa, 515-867-2885, ahacker@foodbankiowa.org