Peggy Whiteside of Water Valley took home the top cooking honor and MSU Extension Service Director Dr. Gary Jackson was honored with the annual Tater Boy Award at the 41st annual Vardaman Sweet Potato Festival Banquet Saturday night.
Ladonna Williams and Sylvia Clark
Whiteside won the coveted Mayor’s Cup trophy for her pineapple sweet potato cheesecake dish. It was the second Mayor’s Cup trophy for Whiteside, a regular entrant in the original recipe contest.
Other first place winners in the recipe contest included Barbara Spencer for her sweet potato pie, Doug Easley for her macaroon cake, Ann Langston for her marinated vegetables, Whiteside for her low calorie sweet potato pie with praline topping, Jan Cook for her double caramel sweet potato cheesecake, Don Hardin for his pecan sweet potato cheesecake squares, CJ Weddle for her baked sweet potato, and Elijah Winter for his sweet potato trifle.
Barbara Spencer
Sylvia Clark presented the annual Mama Grace award to Barbara Spencer.
Ladonna Williams was honored with the Outstanding Young Farmer award.
Danny Clark received the Pioneer Award from Benny Graves and Dr. Gary Jackson, director of the MSU Extension Service was presented with the Tater Boy Award.
Walker Wade won for best washed and graded bushel of sweet potatoes.
Quaneisha Pratt of Houston was introduced as the 2014-15 Sweet Potato Queen.
