Ottumwa’s own Pam Van Essen brought home top honors from the 2025 Iowa State Fair, earning first place in the Global Cookie Contest with her German cookies. She also collected two second-place ribbons and two third-place ribbons across other baking categories.
Van Essen has been entering the Fair’s baking competition for five years, but she’s been baking for more than 50 years—cakes, cookies, fudge, and more. She said winning first place is an “honor,” especially in a year with 575 total entries.
The Global Baking category required recipes from outside the United States. Van Essen chose to showcase a German cookie, a nod to her heritage and experience in international baking traditions.
When asked what advice she would give beginner bakers, she said: “Just keep working on your recipe, add things, and don’t give up.”
Van Essen shared that this year’s victory was especially meaningful. After facing health challenges earlier in 2025, she wasn’t sure if she could compete. Baking, she said, has been her therapy: “It keeps me focused and helps me through life’s obstacles.”
Each Saturday, Van Essen bakes 8 to 10 dozen cookies, which she shares with her church family on Sundays.
Her award-winning German cookie recipe will be published in the 2025 Iowa State Fair Recipe Book.
Ottumwa Radio would like to personally thank Pam Von Essen for proudly representing the City of Ottumwa at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Congratulations, Pam, on your 1st place win and your continued success in the baking competitions!
