Book Festival featuring Iowa State Fair

March 3, 2023
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By Drew Sniezek

2023 DSM Book Festival: Baking Blue Ribbons at the Iowa State Fair

Have you ever attended the Iowa State Fair and marveled at all the food contests? How would you like to enter your own favorite recipes? 

During the upcoming DSM Book Festival, join the panel of culinary experts for everything you need to know about Iowa’s #1 in the nation state fair food department. Authors Kay Fenton Smith and Carol McGarvey will share highlights from their new book, Baking Blue Ribbons. They will be joined by state and national food competitors and judges with tips on how to bake your way to the top. Plus, they’ll have samples to share! 

The panelists have won awards for everything from pies and cinnamon rolls to triple layer cakes and bacon mac and cheese. 

  • Dianna Zaiger Sheehy began entering pies at the Fair in the 1970s. She has competed in national baking championships from coast to coast. Today, she is a top food judge. Her pie workshops are a fan favorite at the Elwell Family Food Center.  
  • Brian Keul has been called the “King of Cakes.” He is known for creating new twists on the classics with unique flavors and decorating techniques. Brian is proof that many of Iowa’s best bakers are men.    
  • Brooklynn Sedlock is an up and coming youth chef who never backs down from a challenge. She began competing at the age of 4 and has won countless ribbons. She’ll share advice for all ages along with one of her favorite events for kids—The Ugly Cake Contest.  
  • Iowa State Fair Food Superintendent Pat Berry will be the special guest to answer your questions on how to enter any of the 650+ individual food contests at this year’s Fair.           

The "Baking Blue Ribbons" panel will be on Saturday, March 25 during the DSM Book Festival from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Capital Square in downtown Des Moines. 

Buy your copy of the book before the festival from the online State Fair Store. You can also purchase merchandise at our office. We are located on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in the Earth Home (under the wind turbine, by the Cultural Center and Fun Forest). We are open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.