Seattle's Best Red Cup Showdown - Wisconsin State Fair Winner

This past weekend, my family and headed out to the Wisconsin State Fair. While Jay and LJ were all excited about the rides, the food on a stick, the rides, the animals, and did I mention the rides??? I (along with a bunch of other Wisconsin ladies) was all excited about the Seattle’s Best Red Cup Showdown!

The other ladies were all excited because they were actually entering this coffee drink making competition. I was just excited to meet Jeff Mauro! And when I heard that there would be a Seattle’s Best Booth where they would be handing out special fair-inspired drinks, I almost outran the Freeway Flyer!

What a gorgeous day!!

Sunday was a perfect fair day – low humidity (finally), decent temperatures, and hardly a cloud to be seen. I left Jay and LJ to scare themselves silly on the rides, and headed off to the Horticultural Craft and Culinary Building to meet the Seattle’s Best folks. Luckily, I also got to meet up with fellow Wisconsin Mom Squad member, Melissa from Outnumbered 3 to 1!

Since they weren’t quite ready yet, they directed us over to the Seattle’s Best booth where we got to have our picture taken in a giant red cup as well as sample lots of Seattle’s Best coffee drinks.

The Seattle’s Best Booth with all of the State Fair Special Drinks!

Iced Coffee Goodness!!

Mel Outnumbered and I in a Giant Red Cup!!

We wandered back to the building for the competition and plopped down right up front. The contestants created their drinks in shifts of three at a time. Each was asked abut the inspiration and ingredients and then had five minutes to create them right there on stage. Celebrity chef, Jeff Mauro was the host and was an absolute riot!! Not only can he cook (I hear), but he’s got a sharp wit and thinks very quickly on his feet which almost makes up for him being a Bears fan. (J/K – sort of.)

Celebrity chef Jeff Mauro kept things interesting and lively while the contestants worked on their drinks.

Jeff and two other judges carefully tried each drink and then disappeared to tally their votes.

And the winner is…..Barbara Strahler and her ‘Chocolate Razz Treat’ drink!! She was so moved she actually teared up, which made the moment even more special. Barbara won $500 and a trip for two to New York where she will be competing for the grand prize of $10,000 and a spot on the Seattle’s Best menu for her drink! You can help support Barbara by participating in public voting on the Seattle’s Best Coffee Facebook page Aug. 18-22.

I loved how supportive the contestants were of each other!

Before leaving the fair, I had to indulge in at least one fried item. I opted for fried green beans (a personal favorite). At least it was a veggie, right?

The Seattle’s Best Red Cup Showdown will be heading off to the Illinois State Fair next and then onto Iowa, so be sure to catch up with them if you can. If you not in an area where they will be stopping, you can connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, or their website. #RedCupShowdown

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Seattle’s Best Coffee #CBias #SocialFabric As always, my opinions are my own.

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