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Axios
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
New Iowa State Fair food 2025: Our favorite fried finds
The Iowa State Fair on Tuesday released 11 of its best new foods for 2025, which will take visitors on a culinary journey — from funnel cake ham balls to a Butter Cow Tornado. The big picture: I got to try the new foods as a member of the local judging panel at the fairgrounds on Tuesday. In total, there are 68 new foods at the 2025 fair, but judges narrowed the finalists to three: bacon chicken ranch eggroll, Three Little Pigs and the scotcheroo shake. The ultimate winner will be determined by fairgoers in August. State of play: I judged each dish on its overall taste rating as well as its "fair factor" — does it have a fun twist and make you say, "Only at the Iowa State Fair"? Here are my (very subjective) thoughts on some of the new foods, in alphabetical order: Bacon chicken ranch eggroll — Winn & Sara's Kitchen What it is: Bacon, chicken and white cheddar wrapped in a crispy eggroll and drizzled with homemade ranch ($15). What I liked: This was so addictive — crispy, salty and zesty, thanks to the ranch on top. I liked this even more than the bacon cheeseburger eggroll from this same stand, which was voted the best fair food last year. What could improve: It's a little bit pricey, but definitely filling and shareable. Overall rating: 5/5, I would wait in line for this. Butter Cow Tornado — Dairy Zone What it is: Butterscotch ice cream, gooey butter cake pieces, butterscotch topping and a white chocolate cow on top ($10). What I liked: The cow chocolate is so cute! What could improve: It was solid-tasting ice cream, but nothing that gave a wow factor. Overall rating: 3/5 Fair factor: 3/5 — gotta love a butter cow take. Chicken Pickle Ranch Rocket on a Stick — JR's SouthPork Ranch What it is: Sweet and salty pickle-brined chicken on a skewer with dill and garlic pickles, basted with ranch butter. It can also be ordered with AE Dairy dill pickle dip ($9). What I liked: The brine gives the chicken a nice sweet flavor, and it's a protein-packed dish for all my fellow gym bros out there. What could improve: Drench that AE dip on that baby there. Overall rating: 3/5, it was decent! Fair factor: 3/5 — it's on a stick. Hawaiian Hog — Iowa Pork Tent What it is: Thinly shaved pork loin on a bun, served with coleslaw, brown sugar pineapple and sweet chili ($10). What I liked: The coleslaw is cool and refreshing. What could improve: The coleslaw was also messy. The pork was ok. Fair factor: 3/5 — it's more creative than a barbecue pork sandwich. HoQ lamb wrap — HoQ What it is: Locally-sourced lamb, tossed in tomato cream sauce and served with Basmati rice, turmeric crème fraîche and kale on naan bread ($18). What I liked: If I wanted to eat a "real" food at the fair, this would be it. It tastes good and there are vegetables. What could improve: Again, it's a little bit expensive, but I appreciate that everything HoQ makes is sourced from Iowa farmers — which is what we're celebrating at the fair. Overall rating: 5/5 — I would order this regularly. Fair factor: 2/5 — isn't really an "OMG can you believe this" dish. Sweet Granny's Apple Delight Sundae — Applishus What it is: Granny Smith apple-flavored soft-serve with apple pie filling, caramel and whipped cream in a waffle cone, served with an apple cookie ($10). What I liked: The apple soft-serve ice cream was so refreshing, creamy and not over the top. Combined with the pie crust, it reminds me of an all-American apple pie. It didn't win best sweet fair food, but honestly, justice for Granny. What could improve: The pie accoutrements give it the fair factor, but honestly, I would like to just eat the soft serve. Overall rating: 4/5 Fair factor: 4/5 Maple bacon bourbon grilled cheese — What's Your Cheez What it is: A grilled cheese made with locally-sourced bread, maple bourbon cheddar, candied bacon and a bourbon raspberry maple sauce ($12). What I liked: The candied bacon was yummy. What could improve: It was a touch too sweet for me. Overall rating: 3/5 Fair factor: 4/5 — kudos for creativity. Nashville hot chicken mac n' cheese pizza — Wiseguys Woodfired Pizza What it is: Mac and cheese pizza with chicken and a drizzle of hot honey from the Holton Homestead ($8/slice). What I liked: Gooey cheese and hot honey are always a great savory, spicy combo. What could improve: Challenge our Midwest palates and give us more Nashville heat! Overall rating: 3/5 Fair factor: 3/5 — I admire three foods in one bite. Potato Half & Half Korean corn dog — GoldenKDog What it is: A Korean corn dog, breaded with doughnut batter and filled with half mozzarella and half of a beef hot dog. It's topped with french fries and deep fried, served with a side of sauce and covered in sugar ($18). What I liked: I've been saying for ages that a Korean corn dog would be so much better than any sad, Velveeta "cheese on a stick" item at the fair. After eating this, I can confirm that I am right. What could improve: It was a lil' pricey, but you'll be so full after eating this, and mozza can be expensive. Overall rating: 4.5/5 — I will go and get this again. Fair factor: 5/5 — can't get more fair-like than something fried on a stick. Scotcheroo shake — Over The Top What it is: Peanut butter and scotcheroo ice cream, with scotcheroo fudge and scotcheroo chunks. Topped with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel sauce and a scotcheroo on top ($12). What I liked: It's hard not to like any of the listed items, unless you don't get along with peanuts. This is a crowd-pleaser for sure. What could improve: The taste is just like peanut butter ice cream, so nothing too out of the ordinary. Overall rating: 4/5 Fair factor: 3/5 Three Little Pigs — Whatcha Smokin? BBQ What it is: Three Iowa State Fair-inspired ham balls — "corn dog" with mustard and cornbread crumble, "soda fountain" with maraschino cherry, and "funnel cake" with a vanilla glaze and powdered sugar ($13). What I liked: Wow, wow — this is one of those really funky and weird things that you can only get at the Iowa State Fair. Many kudos for turning a favorite holiday dish into something eyebrow-raising worthy.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jim Leighton takes helm at Village Gourmet
Village Gourmet, a US-based producer of fine meats, charcuterie, and specialty snacking products, has appointed Jim Leighton as its new CEO. Leighton, whose appointment was effective 9 June, succeeds David Kemp. Kemp has been the CEO since January 2020 and will continue to be part of the board of directors and a partner in the business. In a statement issued on 24 June, Village Gourmet said Leighton has over 30 years of experience in 'growing' food and consumer packaged goods companies through 'operational excellence, brand innovation, and market expansion'. His background includes senior executive roles at Perdue Farms, Boulder Brands, Ingham's Group, and Conagra Foods. According to Kemp, Leighton's 'proven ability to lead purpose driven food companies and deliver results makes him the ideal leader for Village Gourmet as we enter our next phase of growth'. Leighton credited Kemp for 'bringing together and scaling five authentic heritage brands to shape what we now proudly know as Village Gourmet'. Village Gourmet, backed by private equity, owns Three Little Pigs, Fabrique Délices, and Longhini Sausage, along with Uncle Charley's Sausage Co., and Esposito's Finest Quality Sausage brands. The company has been expanding its portfolio since its inception in 2015 with the acquisition of Three Little Pigs. In August 2021, Quad-C Management, a middle market private equity firm, acquired a majority stake in Village Gourmet. Over the next five years, the company completed four additional acquisitions, each adding a new specialty heritage brand to its portfolio. Under Leighton's leadership, Village Gourmet plans to continue exploring 'new growth opportunities'. Commenting on his appointment, Leighton said: "I am honoured to join a company with such strong brands and dedicated people. 'Village Gourmet has a unique place in the market, and I look forward to working with the team to continue delivering excellence for our customers and partners.' "Jim Leighton takes helm at Village Gourmet " was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Scottish Sun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Classic nursery rhyme becomes latest victim of woke madness as it's slapped with bonkers trigger warning
It comes after a theatre production of the kids' classic Three Little Pigs was slammed for slapping on a trigger warning WOKE JOKE Classic nursery rhyme becomes latest victim of woke madness as it's slapped with bonkers trigger warning Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NURSERY rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock has been given a trigger warning after almost 300 years — as a cat chases a mouse. The latest woke madness is being spouted by bosses running a puppet show based on the children's poem, first published in 1744. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Hickory Dickory Dock has been given a trigger warning after almost 300 years — as a cat chases a mouse Credit: Supplied They warn over-protective parents bringing tots to the production of a 'scene with some tension where a cat chases a mouse'. It is being performed by Garlic Theatre for kids as young as three at Little Angel Theatre, Islington, North London, in August. Tim Scott, of the Freedom Association, said: 'In the latest example of trigger madness, we now find beloved children's nursery rhymes are the target. 'Certain adults seem determined to inflict their nonsense on children, who have coped perfectly well for generations with these educational rhymes. 'You do have to wonder what might be next?' It comes after a theatre production of the kids' classic Three Little Pigs was slammed for slapping on a trigger warning because the dad gets eaten by the Big Bad Wolf. The work of children's author Roald Dahl has also been given cautions, due to 'racist and sexist stereotypes, anti-Semitism, and the use of derogatory language'. Garlic Theatre was asked to comment.
The Irish Sun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Classic nursery rhyme becomes latest victim of woke madness as it's slapped with bonkers trigger warning
NURSERY rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock has been given a trigger warning after almost 300 years — as a cat chases a mouse. The latest woke madness is being spouted by bosses running a puppet show based on the children's poem, first published in 1744. Advertisement 1 Hickory Dickory Dock has been given a trigger warning after almost 300 years — as a cat chases a mouse Credit: Supplied They warn over-protective parents bringing tots to the production of a 'scene with some tension where a cat chases a mouse'. It is being performed by Garlic Theatre for kids as young as three at Little Angel Theatre, Islington, North London, in August. Tim Scott, of the Freedom Association, said: 'In the latest example of trigger madness, we now find beloved children's nursery rhymes are the target. 'Certain adults seem determined to inflict their nonsense on children, who have coped perfectly well for generations with these educational rhymes. Advertisement Read More on UK News 'You do have to wonder what might be next?' It comes after a theatre production of the kids' classic Three Little Pigs was slammed for slapping on a trigger warning because the dad gets eaten by the Big Bad Wolf. Garlic Theatre was asked to comment. Advertisement Most read in The Sun People are only just realising that Humpty Dumpty isn't an egg & it's giving a whole new meaning to the nursery rhyme
