
in the kitchen with…
Soups On At The Fair
Our Souper Soups contest keeps on winning year after year.
Story by Carol McGarvey
Featured in Autumn 2026
Try the Recipes

Chili Soup by Olivia Smith of Winterset



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It wasn’t exactly a “soup day” for judging Welcome Home Des Moines magazine’s Souper Soups contest at the Iowa State Fair, but the hot weather did not stop us. Bottom line: All the soups were wonderful in texture, color, and, of course, flavor.
The judging is never an easy task. Copy Editor Gretchen Kauffman and I have been judging the contest for a long time and know what to look for. Sometimes it’s a cold soup winner and sometimes it is a thick soup that is chock-full of veggies.
A lovely touch for this fair: Tina Dibbs of Clive took second-place honors for her Sausage Tortellini. She moved to Iowa from Illinois earlier this year and now has taken home a ribbon, too. Welcome to Iowa, Tina. We are glad you came. •
This Year’s Winners:
- First Place: Amy’s White Chicken Chili Soup by Olivia Smith of Winterset
- Second Place: Sausage Tortellini by Tina Dibbs of Clive
- Third Place: Italian Orzo Spinach Soup by Dawn Shaw of Pella
- Honorable Mention: Loaded Campfire Chili by Kyle Barton of West Des Moines







