The Oklahoma State Fair hosted the annual State “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking contest on September 27th, spotlighting top bakers from across the state while honoring Oklahoma wheat producers. Korben Gossen from Corn, Oklahoma, in Washita County placed first in the Specialty Shape Bread Category of the Junior Division. His “Route 66 Flag Bread” topped the competition, featuring a triple crown effect with white and whole wheat bread used for the stripes to create a theme with his shaping of a Route 66 sign celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road. This year’s 2026 bread baking competition carried a theme celebrating 100 years of Route 66 in Oklahoma and across America. Gossen’s specialty shape delivered ideal shape, texture, and flavor, baked flawlessly throughout to top the Junior Division and earn him the title of Grand Champion.
Karen Armbruster, a former OSU Extension educator from Woods County who judged the Junior Division, noted the accomplishment.
“It is rare for a specialty-shaped bread to win the overall Junior Division because of the technical challenges involved in achieving the right shape while also maintaining excellent flavor and crumb texture,” Armbruster said. “This entry, however, truly had it all and was deserving of the Grand Champion title.”
Renee English from Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County placed first in the Other Wheat Breads Category of the Senior Division. Her entry, “Mother Road Polish Double-Braided Challah,” also highlighted the Route 66 theme with an impeccably braided loaf baked evenly throughout. The loaf’s consistent texture and exquisite flavor led to her selection in the final round of competition, securing the title of Senior Division Grand Champion.
Arleen James, former OSU Extension educator from Texas County who judged the Senior Division, praised the winning entry.
“Often with braided breads you do not see consistency of perfection throughout with everything being evenly baked,” James said. “This braided loaf was not only a perfectly golden crumb color texture all over on the outside, when sliced into it was impeccable in all areas, making it a picture-perfect loaf that anyone would want to take with them while traveling on the Mother Road.”
The annual contest is sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and the Oklahoma State Fair.
“We had 109 entries from 48 counties this year, all champion or reserve champion winners in the county contests,” said Jerry Wiebe, Chairman of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. “We had record breaking attendance and always enjoy the opportunity to award the top bread bakers in the state.”
The contest features 13 classes, with six in the senior division and seven in the junior division.
Junior Division State Champions include:
- Sawyer Roberson, Mayes County, White Bread
- Janelle Merkle, Rogers County, Whole Wheat Bread
- Nova Carr, Oklahoma County, Dinner Rolls
- Kendallyn Gossen, Washita County, Other Wheat Breads
- Abriana Suhr, McCurtain County, Sweet Breads
- Korben Gossen, Washita County, Specialty Shape Breads
- Ridge Spray, Woodward County, Bread Machine
Senior Division State Champions include:
- Nancy Barth, Harper County, White Bread
- Don Robison, Kingfisher County, Whole Wheat Breads
- Sue Postelwait, Noble County, Dinner Rolls
- Renee English, Oklahoma County, Other Wheat Breads
- Roberta Hinkle, Grady County, Sweet Breads
- Renee English, Oklahoma County, Bread Machine
A cookbook featuring the top five recipes from each class of the Best of Wheat competition will be available online in January 2027 at www.okwheat.org.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is funded by Oklahoma wheat producers and promotes greater utilization of wheat in domestic and international markets through research, market development, and public education. Five wheat producers representing designated districts across the state serve on the Oklahoma Wheat Commission’s board of directors. Current officers are Jerry Wiebe, Chairman, Hooker; Michael Peters, Vice-Chairman, Okarche; David Gammill, Secretary-Treasurer, Chattanooga; Tom Cannon, member, Blackwell; and RJ Parrish, member, Hunter.
CONGRATULATIONS to our 2026 Best of Wheat Bread Baking Contest Grand Champions!
Congratulations to everyone, and thank you for making the 2026 Best of Wheat Bread Baking Contest so special! 
