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Iowa Fair Crowns Porky Parm Gnocchi King!
21 Aug
Summary
- Porky Parm Gnocchi from Destination Grille won the contest.
- The winning dish features gluten-free gnocchi and local sausage.
- The contest winner was announced on August 21st.
The Porky Parm Gnocchi, a gluten-free creation from Destination Grille, has earned the top honor at the 2026 Iowa State Fair's People's Choice Best New Food Contest. Fairgoers cast their votes between August 13th and August 19th, with the winner revealed on August 21st. This dish, a fusion of Italian and Iowan flavors, features potato gnocchi and Graziano sausage swimming in a rich cream Parmesan sauce, topped with pesto and Parmesan. It also comes with a playful souvenir pig, adding to its appeal.
Destination Grille, located in Grimes, is known for its innovative fair foods. Previously, their Lobster Corn Dog was a finalist in 2024. The Porky Parm Gnocchi beat out two other finalists: the All-American Scrambled Egg Roll from Winn & Sara's Kitchen and the Ultimate Minneapple Pie from Minneapple Pie. This victory highlights a growing trend of restaurant-quality, yet playful, dishes at the fair.
