There are just two more sleeps before the Wisconsin State Fair opens its gates at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 31. That means you’ve got less than a day to build your must-try list of State Fair foods!
Among this year's 96 new State Fair Foods are 12 delicious finalists vying for the top spots in the annual Sporkies and Drinkies Competitions. All finalist creations will be available at this year’s Fair, so you can taste and judge them for yourself.
However, on the afternoon of July 29, a judging panel emceed by WISN Sports Director and 2021 Sporkies Judge, Dario Melendez, gathered at the Fair to taste their way through all eight Sporkies and four Drinkies contenders. After much deliberation (and many bites), the winners have been crowned.
Here are their picks for this year's winners! (Note: There is one winner for the Drinkies and First, Second and Third place winners for the Sporkies.)
Golden Cup Champion
Purple Rain Refresher
Submitted by: Rock and Roll Beer Garden
Inspired by the glam and grit of rock legends, the Purple Rain Refresher is a show-stopping drink that captures the energy of a live concert. Made with Concord grape juice, tart lemonade, and grapefruit soda, it’s topped with color-shifting edible glitter and pop rocks that shimmer and crackle like the crowd at a headliner set.
Sporkies Champion
Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia
Submitted by: Lumpia City
A sweet twist on traditional turon, this Filipino-American dessert layers caramelized bananas, syrup-soaked French toast, and rich purple ube butter into a golden deep-fried lumpia. Finished with powdered sugar, it’s a delicious mash-up of deep cultural roots and modern indulgence.
2nd Place: Brat Rangoon
Submitted by: WürstBar
A crave-worthy fusion of Wisconsin comfort food and Asian street eats. Crispy wonton wrappers are filled with bratwurst, cream cheese, green onion, and melty cheese, then deep-fried and drizzled with sweet-and-sour sauce. A sprinkle of Nori Komi Furikake finishes each savory bite with a burst of umami.
3nd Place: Mexican Street Corn Pizza
Submitted by: Charlie's Pizza
This bold, cheesy pizza takes inspiration from classic elote. A golden crust is topped with sweet corn, mozzarella, cotija cheese, spicy mayo, and fresh lime. Each slice delivers a hot, tangy, creamy, and savory celebration of flavor.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
