The Iowa State Fair announced its People’s Choice winner for the Best New Food contest on Friday afternoon. Destination Grille’s Porky Parm Gnocchi earned the top honor, edging out the Ultimate Minneapple Pie and the All‑American Scrambled Egg Roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen.
What the winning dish includes
The Porky Parm Gnocchi is described by fair officials as a gluten‑free potato gnocchi paired with Graziano sausage, tossed in a house‑made AE cream parmesan sauce, finished with a drizzle of pesto, shaved parmesan, fresh parsley, and a decorative America 250th‑year flag. Each serving also comes with a souvenir piggy pal. The dish is priced at $14.
Other 2026 fair food awards
In addition to the People’s Choice award, the fair recognized several other new foods and drinks:
- Best New Drink (with alcohol): Cotton Rocket Cooler from JR’s SouthPork Ranch
- Best New Drink (alcohol‑free): The Fizz Depot’s Stars, Stripes & S'more
- Best of Show: Minneapple Pie
- Choose Iowa Favorite Fair Food: Beattie's Watermelon Cup
History of the contest
The Best New Food contest has been part of the Iowa State Fair since 2013. Past winners include the Bacon Chicken Ranch Egg Roll (2025), Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll (2024), and the Deep‑fried Bacon Brisket Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese (2023). The fair was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Where to see the fair coverage
KCCI 8 News provides live coverage from the MidAmerican Energy Stage each weekday at 4:30 p.m. during the fair. Viewers can also stream the fair’s coverage for free on the Very Local app.
The Iowa State Fair continues to draw thousands of visitors each year, offering a mix of traditional attractions and innovative culinary creations. The People’s Choice award highlights the community’s enthusiasm for new, family‑friendly foods that respect dietary preferences while celebrating regional flavors.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
