News Richards, Whitson and Bruce place in Iowa State Fair Cookout Contest

Three Benton County grillers won honors at the Farm Bureau Cookout at the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday.

Six Benton County grillers were among 53 contestants competing at the 52nd Annual Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest on a rainy Tuesday morning, August 18 at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

Jeff Whitson of Mount Auburn won 1st place in the Poultry division with his Whitson’s Wings recipe; Dawn Richards of Vinton won 2nd Place in the Beef division with her Flat Iron Steak; and Michelle Bruce also of Vinton won 2nd Place in the Turkey category with her Asian Turkey Burgers. Louis Guynn, Brian Halstead and Molly Cummings also competed with their winning recipes from the Benton County Farm Bureau Cookout Contest held in July.

2015 Iowa State Fair Queen Ellen Schlamann and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Vice-President Joe Heinrich were on hand to present Jeff Whitson, Dawn Richards and Michelle Bruce with their cash prize award.

Complete list of winners:

Cookout Champion: Neil Glaser, Bondurant

Beef

1) Robert Harms, Alden

2) Dawn Richards, Vinton

Lamb

1) Steve Heberlin, Indianola

2) Nick Siedelman, Linden

Pork

1) Neil Glaser, Bondurant

2) Troy Anderson, Fort Dodge

Poultry

1) Jeff Whitson, Mount Auburn

2) Mike Anderson, Murray

Turkey

1) Denny Hanson, Alden

2) Michelle Bruce, Vinton

Combo/Specialty

1) Shelana Laing, Clive

2) Andy Wilson, Salem

Youth

1) Macy Greine, Wesley

2) Josie Herwene, Prairie City

Team Award

1) Roger Benton, Louis Nanoit, Greenfield

Showmanship

1) Jason Kula, Central City