The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board, Mississippi Poultry Association, MSU Department of Poultry Science and Mississippi Beef Council announced the winners of the 2025 Great American Mississippi State Fair Omelet Cookoff. Pictured (L-R): Angela Evans, Host of WLBT’s Studio 3; Dr. Ryn Laster, Mississippi Egg Marketing Board President; Best Patriotic Costume and 1st Place winners Evie and Charlie Haffey of Itawamba County; Henry Klein of Madison County, 3rd Place winner; Best Beef Omelet winners Kairi and Zelda Robertson of Madison County; and James Faison, Laboratory Manager for Mar-Jac Poultry Mississippi. Not pictured: Ellie Haffey of Itawamba County, 2nd Place winner.
The Mississippi Egg Marketing Board (MEMB), Mississippi Poultry Association, Mississippi State University (MSU) Department of Poultry Science and Mississippi Beef Council are pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Mississippi State Fair Omelet Cook-off. This annual event was held during Mississippi 4-H Day at the State Fair and featured 15 contestants from various 4-H chapters around the state.
Participants entered their recipes prior to the competition and were selected by their district to compete at the state level. Participants presented their entry to a panel of judges within 60 minutes. Contestants were provided with the necessary ingredients to prepare their omelets but brought unusual or unique ingredients from home. In addition, all contestants received an omelet toolkit that included an apron, omelet pan, whisk and spatula.
Evie and Charlie Haffey, members of the Itawamba County 4-H, prepared a “Star Spangled Omelet” and won first place, receiving a $75 cash prize. Placing second with “Ellie’s Flavorful Founding Farmer’s Omelet” was Ellie Haffey, also with the Itawamba County 4-H. She was awarded a $50 cash prize. Madison County 4-Her Henry Klein took home third place. He prepared an “All-American Cheeseburger Omelet” and won the $25 cash prize. The contestants placing first, second and third were presented with a cash prize by the Mississippi Poultry Association.
In the Best Beef omelet, presented by Mississippi Beef Council, Kairi and Zelda Robertson with the Madison County 4-H took home the $25 cash prize with a “Birria Steak Omelet.” In celebration of the Great American Mississippi State Fair, a cash prize was also awarded to Evie and Charlie Haffey in the amount of $25, for the “Best Patriotic Costume.”
“Each contestant brings their own unique style to the competition, and this year, celebrating the Great American Mississippi State Fair was an added treat,” said Mistress of Ceremonies and MEMB President Ryn Laster. “It’s always fun to watch these youth and the enthusiasm they have when cooking, especially with eggs. I’m always amazed at the creativity that goes into the omelets they prepare.”
Other contestants that competed include Penny and Alice Haffey with Itawamba County 4-H; Lola Edwards with DeSoto County 4-H; Emaline Swindoll with Yalobusha County 4-H; Katy Beene with Alcorn County 4-H; Eliza Holloway with Jasper County 4-H; K’Ly Montogomery with Humphreys County 4-H; and Alexis and Avery Wilson with Pike County 4-H.
Serving as judges for this year’s cook-off were Dr. Angus Catchot, Director of MSU Extension; Angela Evans, Host of WLBT’s Studio 3; Dr. Trent Irby, Associate Director of MSU Extension; and James Faison, Laboratory Manager for Mar-Jac Poultry Mississippi.
Visit www.MSEggMarketing.com for great tasting egg dishes brought to you by the Incredible Egg. For more information about the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board, contact Katie Sansing at msegg@mdac.ms.gov.