Choose Iowa Brunch

The Iowa State Fair will be hosting a farm-to-fork brunch highlighting seasonal and local ingredients sourced from Iowa farmers and prepared by some of the state's top chefs. The Choose Iowa Brunch, presented by Travel Iowa and Choose Iowa, will be a chance for Iowa State Fair guests to experience and learn about all things local – from meeting the farmers and enjoying the chef-crafted cuisine to listening to live music and hearing from experts about Iowa agriculture and the future of farming. This fine dining experience will feature Iowa ingredients in exclusive cocktails and a 3-course plated meal served by Iowa FFA students.

Choose Iowa Brunch – Presented by Travel Iowa and Choose Iowa

When: Sunday, August 20, 10 a.m. – noon

Where: Alliant Energy Landing – Iowa State Fair

Cost: $125 (space is limited)

*All proceeds will be donated to the Iowa FFA Foundation to support local food programming and the ProStart High School Culinary Arts Program

Menu:

1st Course:

Chef Jess Baldus, Piggyback Smokeshack, Taste & The Bakery, Osage

Grilled toast, sweet corn whipped chevre, anaheim & aronia berry jam, beef bacon, pickled sweet corn, arugula

2nd Course:

Chef Kevin Scharpf, Brazen Open Kitchen, Dubuque

Pork belly, fermented sweet corn hollandaise, smoked chimichurri, chichorons, pickled Fresno

3rd Course:

Chef Richard Byrd & Chef Sean Towley, Big Grove Brewery, Des Moines

Sweet corn cake, peach preserves, candied sungold tomatoes, summer corn and herb creme anglaise, maple bacon honeycomb

*Common ingredient: Iowa sweet corn

Cocktails/Mocktails

Mixologist: Carl Busch, Alchemix Bar, Dubuque

Drink #1: Stealing Happy Hours - Revelton Gin, Peach infused Campari, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, White Grapes, Soda Water

Drink #2: Iowa 515 - Kolsch-style German Ale, Strawberry, Rhubarb, Lemon

Drink #3 (mocktail): jardín del amor - Grapefruit Juice, Carrot Juice, Tequila Replacement,  Hot Momma Honey Syrup, Jalapeno infused Agave Syrup, Lime Juice. Tajín Rim

Drink #4: The Confused Breakfast - Belgian Waffle infused Bacon Fat Wash Cedar Ridge Bourbon, Cold Brew Coffee, Rich Cinnamon Demerara Syrup, Orange Oils & Roasted Sweet Corn, Cream Foam

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About Travel Iowa

Travel Iowa, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state's beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $1.8 billion in tax revenues in 2021, with more than $1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 65,000 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.

About Choose Iowa

Finding local foods grown, raised and made in Iowa is easier now through the Choose Iowa Program. Choose Iowa combines the prestige of Iowa's global agricultural reputation with the entrepreneurial ingenuity that exists in all 99 counties. Foods with the Choose Iowa brand meet or exceed minimum criteria to be part of the brand so consumers can purchase with confidence. Taste the freshness while supporting your neighbors and local community! Find local foods at www.ChooseIowa.com.