If a bunch of brownies enter the Kentucky State Fair and none of them get a blue ribbon, do they even count?

This year’s second place brownies certainly made an impact in recent days, when word spread that the chocolatey treat’s bright red ribbon earned the lone recognition in a seemingly simple culinary category at the 2025 fair, held now through Aug. 24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Of 37 entries competing in the bracket of “Brownies,” no entry earned first or third place.

"I thought it was weird, because I didn't know they reserve the right to only give second place," Sydney Hill, the 26-year-old Louisville nurse behind the 2nd place brownies, told the Courier Journal. "News to me."

Hill's parents have since referred to the situation as "Brownie Gate," she said.

At first glance, it’s natural for this to be puzzling. What's a podium without three tiered levels? What’s silver without gold?

Sydney Hill won 2nd place in the brownies (4) category and there was no 1st place or 3rd place given at the Kentucky State Fair. August 20, 2025

Maybe you’ve heard these wise words, made popular by the movie, “Talladega Nights:" "If you ain't first, you're last.”

If there’s no first or last, how do you know how the others stack up?

Before brownies baked by crafty Kentuckians send you down a philosophical spiral, just know this collection of treats is not alone in its lack of blue ribbon-ess. It’s not an uncommon result.

Of the more than 200 culinary categories at the 2025 Kentucky State Fair, from pizza pie and pecan pie to biscuits, bon bons, canned green beans and sweet potato candy, most were awarded the traditional first, second and third places from judges, according to the official 2025 results listed online.

First, second and third of orange marmalade contest in the culinary section of the Kentucky State Fair. August 19, 2025

According to an informal search of the results conducted by the Courier Journal, though, 14 categories went without a first-place prize. That's up from seven culinary categories without blue ribbons in 2024. Additionally, for some categories this year, you’ll see a first place and no second or third.

For others, none of the entries warranted a ribbon at all.

“Our culinary judges work tirelessly to judge around 3,500 entries,” a spokesperson from the Kentucky State Fair told the Courier Journal. “It’s the largest department for general entries at the Kentucky State Fair. The judges do not have to award each place.”

The fair’s culinary superintendent declined a Courier Journal request for comment.

The categories without blue ribbons range from cakes to barbecue sauce, jelly and pickles. And the placements aren’t straightforward.

For example, several makers entered categories such as “Tomato Preserves,” “Corn Relish,” “Pickled Eggs” and “Petit Fours.” None of them earned a ribbon of any place. Of the four entries vying for the win in “Old Fashioned Jelly Roll,” only second place got the goods, reminiscent of the “Brownies” challenge.

These instances leave hard-working contestants with some questions, including 55-year-old Bunny Wickham.

Bunny Wickham of Madisonville won seven ribbons in 2024 and 20 ribbons in 2025 at the Kentucky State Fair for her canned items.

Of the nearly 40 culinary categories she entered, “Mixed Pickles, either Sweet or Sour" returned no blue ribbon. Of two entries, Wickham got second and another contestant got third.

Although Wickham won 20 ribbons in 2025, she seemed tickled to learn about the results of “Pickled Balsamic Pearl Onions,” a category with only one entry. She didn't place first or second.

“So, third out of one?” she said, before letting out a big laugh.

The avid canner entered the Kentucky State Fair for the second-ever time in 2025, following through on a to-do on her “bucket list.”

Wickham doesn’t need the ribbons as a sign of success. She sells canned goods and produce at her family farm, called Pond River Farm and is billed as the largest pickle producer in Hopkins County. They opened a farm market in 2023.

“I make pickles for a living,” Wickham said.

She doesn't see the Kentucky State Fair as work or competition.

“It’s so much fun for me,” Wickham said. “I’m happy to get any kind of ribbon. I’m just thrilled."

She doesn't know why, though, some categories get blue ribbons and others don't.

“If you find the answer to that, I’d love to know," she said.

Landon Nguyen of Louisville won 15 ribbons in culinary categories at the 2025 Kentucky State Fair.

Landon Nguyen of Louisville is similarly confused by his showing for the "Blondies" category. With 22 entries and no blue ribbon, the two treats shining through the display case went to second and third place. Nguyen got second.

Nguyen won 15 ribbons, including five blue ribbons, for his baking. When it comes to the "Blondies" contest, he feels "left in the dark" about what his concoction might've lacked, he told the Courier Journal. Were the blondies undercooked? Was it the flavor, presentation or something else?

He says he understands that the fair judges look for certain standards. Each category is accompanied with criteria to follow, as listed in the fair's "premium book." For example, for small cakes and cookies, the umbrella division for brownies and blondies, entries are "required to be presented on foil-lined cardboard or a sturdy foil-lined plate" and fresh or dried fruit as garnishes are not accepted.

The book of rules doesn't appear to disclose that judges don't have to award first, second, or third places.

“I respect that, but at the same time, I would like to know what exactly makes a brownie or blondie first place, so I know what I’m missing here," Nguyen said. "Without knowing the why, I cannot improve my recipes at all, because I don’t know what else to improve.”

Baking wasn’t a common practice in Vietnam where Nguyen grew up. He moved to Louisville in 2004 and got married in 2015 to a man who loves baked goods. It rubbed off on Nguyen.

On his first try entering the Kentucky State Fair in 2022, he won a blue ribbon for one his cakes. He has returned each year since, taking delight in the tradition. He regularly bakes cookies, cakes, and pies for friends and family, and shares photos of his creations on social media. But, the fair is one of the only places to get that competitive spirit out.

“When I enter something, I want to win,” Nguyen said.

Not knowing why he didn't win a certain category is "disappointing."

“I need an explanation, so I can make it better next year,” he said.

When Michael Francis saw his smattering of 14 ribbons at the fair, he had 14 reasons to be happy.

Michael Francis of Louisville won 14 ribbons at the 2025 Kentucky State Fair. He got second place in the "Grape Jelly" category, which did not list a first place winner.

He plans all year for the Kentucky State Fair. That's after the 34-year-old got into the art of peppers, jam and jellies a few years ago as a way to connect with his late great grandmothers, both skilled home cooks who introduced him to canning.

“I do this all for fun. I love doing it," Francis told the Courier Journal. "I’m excited I get to show off my hard work."

Then, there was the “Grape Jelly” category. With nine entries, Francis got second. There was no first or third.

“I wouldn’t want someone to give me first place just because I entered,” he said. “To get first place, you have to earn it.”

But, like Nguyen, he'd like more transparency from the fair about scoring.

“How do I know what I can fix or make better?" he said. "I think that’s what's kind of frustrating to people.”

“I imagine it’s not the first time it’s happened nor will it be the last," Francis added.

These scoring uncertainties won't keep any of the contestants interviewed by the Courier Journal from entering the Kentucky State Fair again. It just creates new goals.

Wickham has one in mind.

In 2024, she got third in “Pear Preserves.” In 2025, she got second.

“Next year, I’m going for first place,” she said.

That is, if that category gets a blue ribbon at all.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 'Brownie Gate:' At least 14 culinary categories at the State Fair didn't win blue ribbons