Local food producers in the state’s Something Special from Wisconsin™ (SSfW) program swept every category—including Best of Show—at the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair Grand Champion Eats and Treats competition.
The annual competition recognizes small to mid-size professional food businesses with annual sales under $2 million. SSfW member companies earned top honors across 10 diverse categories, spanning baked goods, artisan chocolates, spicy sauces, and specialty beverages.
2026 Grand Champion Eats & Treats Winners
- Apple Valley Enterprise LLC (DBA AVEnue Orchard) – Eau Claire
- 2nd Place, Chocolate and Beyond: Choc N Cherry
- 2nd Place, Bakeries Best Baked Goods: Molasses Cookie
- 3rd Place, Hot. Hot. Hot. (Spicy): Blue Habanero
- 3rd Place, Tempting Treats: Caramels
- 4th Place, Satisfying Snacks: Caramel Popcorn
- 4th Place, Chocolate and Beyond: Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Dashelito’s Hot Sauce & Spicy Foods – Madison
- 1st Place, Garden Goodies: Dashelito’s Salsa
- 2nd Place, Hot. Hot. Hot. (Spicy): Hot Honey
- Fazio’s Chocolate – Elm Grove
- Best of Show Award: Cherry Chipotle Artisan Chocolate
- 1st Place, Chocolate and Beyond: Cherry Chipotle Artisan Chocolate
- 1st Place, Raise the Bar: Mint Meltaway Bar
- 1st Place, Tempting Treats: Nonna’s Nougat
- 2nd Place, Tempting Treats: Fazio’s House-Made Peanut Butter Brittle
- 3rd Place, Chocolate and Beyond: Meet Me at the Fair Artisan Chocolate
- Fika Spice – Shell Lake
- 3rd Place, Delightful Dashes: Maple Sugar Fika Spice
- It’s Poppin’! LLC – Westfield
- 2nd Place, Satisfying Snacks: Crazy Corn
- 3rd Place, Satisfying Snacks: Sassy Seasoned Pretzels
- Lazy Eye Hot Sauce – Antigo
- 4th Place, Hot. Hot. Hot. (Spicy): Lazy Eye Red Smoked Habanero
- Olympia Granola – Milwaukee
- 1st Place, Satisfying Snacks: Banana Pineapple Coconut Trail Bar
- Pleasant’s Best Sauces – Minocqua
- Best of Something Special from Wisconsin Award: Dragon’s Kiss BBQ
- 1st Place, Hot. Hot. Hot. (Spicy): Dragon’s Kiss BBQ
- 1st Place, Sensational Sauces: Golden Bourbon BBQ
- 2nd Place, Delightful Dashes: Salad and Vegetable Topping
- 3rd Place, Garden Goodies: Baled Hay
- 3rd Place, Sensational Sauces: Beef-B-Q
- 4th Place, Sensational Sauces: Czech It Out BBQ
- 4th Place, Garden Goodies: El Magnifico Med Salsa
- Rustic Made Holdings WI, LLC (DBA Rustic Oak) – Milwaukee
- Judge’s Favorite: Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cocktail Syrup (Non-Alcoholic)
- 1st Place, Sip Showdown (Non-Alcoholic): Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cocktail Syrup
- 3rd Place, Sip Showdown (Non-Alcoholic): Old-Fashioned Spiced Apple Cocktail Syrup
- 4th Place, Sip Showdown (Non-Alcoholic): Cardamom Non-Alcoholic Bitters
- Starla’s Seasonings, Dips & Mixes – Belgium
- Judge’s Favorite: Tikka Masala Dip Mix or Seasoning Mix
- 1st Place, Delightful Dashes: Tikka Masala Dip Mix or Seasoning Mix
- 1st Place, Bakeries Best Baked Goods: Gluten Free Beer Bread or Banana Bread Mix
- 2nd Place, Garden Goodies: Glorious Garlic Dill-icious Pickles
- 3rd Place, Bakeries Best Baked Goods: Garlic and Herb Beer Bread Mix
For a full list of competition results, visit the Wisconsin State Fair Contest Results Page.
About Something Special from Wisconsin
Founded in 1983, Something Special from Wisconsin is a trademarked marketing program which provides its roughly 500 members with exclusive benefits, including use of a logo, access to member-only marketing or sales events, and additional publicity through a business profile on the SSfW website. SSfW companies must certify that at least 50% of a product’s ingredients, production, or processing comes from or is completed in Wisconsin. The program provides a source for consumers seeking authentic Wisconsin-made items and supports local economies by encouraging consumers to choose Wisconsin-made goods. Learn more and apply for membership online at www.somethingspecialwi.com(opens in new tab).
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