Ogle County 4-H Fair Celebrates Top Culinary Talents

The Ogle County 4-H Fair recently announced the winners of its annual Foods Contest, showcasing the culinary skills of local youth. Participants competed in various cooking and food science categories, with several individuals earning top honors for their exhibits.

Among the standout performers, Kate Costello claimed first place in the 4-H Cooking 101 Cereal Bars category. Nolan Adams excelled in the Coffeecake exhibit, while Cora Mickley took home the top prize for her Cookies exhibit in the same class.

As the competition advanced to higher cooking levels, Hunter Kremske impressed judges with his Biscuits in the 4-H Cooking 201 category. Declan Franks and Jenna Heller followed closely, with Franks receiving accolades for his Nut Bread and Heller for her Scones.

In the 4-H Cooking 301 division, Preston Taylor earned recognition for his Dinner Rolls, while Cora Mickley again showcased her talent with a Yeast Bread. Sophia Stein and Jenna Heller also stood out, with Stein’s Tea Ring and Heller’s Sweet Rolls earning top honors. Heller continued her winning streak by securing first place for her Focaccia Bread in the 4-H Cooking 401 category, along with a Pie Shell exhibit. Andrew Hickman won for his French Bread, and Adrien Booker received accolades for his Sponge Cake.

The competition included a range of other categories, with Lydia Sherburne emerging as a significant contender. She was awarded the Grand Champion title for her Food Science exhibit and excelled in multiple Science Fun categories, including Dairy Foods and Kitchen Chemistry.

In the Food Preservation section, Tessa Bruns took the spotlight with her top exhibits in both Fruits/Vegetables (Canning) and Jams, Jellies & Preserves. Andrew Hickman also impressed, earning accolades for his Combination exhibit and being named Grand Champion in Food Preservation. Bruns was recognized as the Reserve Grand Champion in this category.

The Ogle County 4-H Fair Foods Contest not only highlights the culinary talents of young participants but also fosters a spirit of creativity and competition within the community. With awards acknowledging both skill and innovation, this event underscores the importance of food education and the fostering of future culinary stars.