Why Was There No Blue Ribbon for Brownies at the 2025 KY State Fair?

I always love browsing the hobby area of the Kentucky State Fair.  Enjoying the creativity of Kentucky quilters and artists. If I were to ever submit something to be judged, it would probably be in that exhibition hall.

A category you will never find me winning ribbons for is baking. I'm a pretty good cook when it comes to throwing things together, but following a recipe? No way! Too precise, too many measurements, it's just not for me.

Some folks have that special touch, though. My mom does. Of course, she learned baking pro-tips from her grandmother, so maybe the expertise just skips a generation? I know I'm partial, but I've always thought she could totally win if she ever submitted something to the state fair.

No Blue Ribbon Brownies at 2025 Kentucky State Fair

I'd say she'd have some pretty good odds in the brownie category, but it seems they also have some very particular judges. This year, there was no first-place winner because...well...none of the submissions were up to blue-ribbon standards.

This is the Kentucky State Fair; We Have High Standards

No third-place winner this year either. Forty-nine entries, thirty-seven made the cut, and not a single one was good enough! They did choose a second-place winner, though. According to the culinary superintendent, the judges "go by texture, they go by moisture, they also go by the look, and they also go by the taste. So it's gotta be spot on. This is the Kentucky State Fair. We have high standards."

Get our free mobile app

Twenty-five judges in the culinary department tried and ranked almost 3,500 entries of various types, including cakes, pies, cookies, jams, etc. There were several other categories where no ribbons were awarded. You can see all of the results on the Kentucky State Fair website. 

I'm curious how the brownie bakers feel about this. I have seen some folks calling the controversial situation "Brownie Gate." They'll have a whole year to work on improving their recipes.

Red-Ribbon Winner, 26-year-old Louisville nurse, Sydney Hill, will be quoting Talledega Nights as she prepares for the 2026 State Fair. After all, "If you ain't first, you're last!"