Winning is delicious at Home Ec Building

One thing you shouldn’t miss this year at the Missouri State Fair are the food contests in the Home Economics Building.

Sally McConell, home economics supervisor, has introduced new contests and has brought back old favorites.

New contests included cooking with wine, sponsored by the Missouri Wine and Grape Board; cooking sugar-free, sponsored by Bothwell Regional Health Center; and a barbecue contest sponsored by Kehde’s Barbeque.

“The judges have been discussing a contest about making your own wine,” she said of the wine competition. “I think that would be a good complement.”

Home Economics Contest Coordinator Jenny Emery was happy with Sunday’s sugar-free competition.

“Everything was delicious. They had cream puffs and carrot cake, all of it sugar-free,” she said.

McConell added, “I’ve really been happy with all our new contests. We’ve had good representation.”

McConell also brought back favorites like the mystery sack contest, sponsored by Starline/Sierra, Sedalia; and the First Lady’s pie contest.

Three mystery sack contests were held on Monday, a youth competition and two adult competitions. Contestants were given six ingredients, including a meat, in their sacks; they could bring three ingredients from home. They were given 30 minutes to cook their dish in an electric skillet. The entries were then judged and awarded first through fifth place.

There are usually two contests a day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. One of the perks of watching and waiting for the judge’s tallies are the free contest food samples passed out to the audience.

Contest winners include familiar faces like Maxine Griggs and Faye Hunton, both of Sedalia’ Stacy Robb, of Sweet Springs; and Pat Finkes, of Steelville. But a younger generation is springing up to grab prizes, too, such as Robb’s daughter Patricia,17; Megan Roe, 27, of Cole Camp; and Army Capt. Brenda Bustillos, 30, of Fort Leonard Wood.

And here’s something to look forward to — all the first-, second- and third-place recipes will be included in the 2012 Missouri State Fair Cookbook. But, if you can’t wait that long, you can purchase the 2010 cookbook, for $12, in the Home Economics Building while you sample this year’s winning recipes.

IF YOU GO
What: Missouri State Fair food contests
When: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily
Where: Home Economics Building, state fairgrounds