Horseshoe sandwich anyone? No, really

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Fair is debuting four new culinary contests this year.

One contest honors a central Illinois favorite: the horseshoe sandwch. The Illinois State Fair horseshoe sandwich competition is Aug. 11. Contestants must make two horseshoe sandwiches, which will be judged on taste, creativity and appearance.

According to horseshoesandwich.com, the sandwich started in Springfield and "consists of two pieces of white toast covered by two pieces of sliced ham covered by a heaping portion of french fries covered by cheese sauce."

The fair now has a coffee contest too. The only requirement is to create a coffee drink using Seattle's Best Coffee and edible, non-alcoholic ingredients. First place gets $500, a year's supply of coffee and a trip to New York for a national competition.

The American Egg Board and the Illinois Department of Agriculture are sponsoring an egg dish competition. And also new this year is the Backyard Barbecue Pork Chop Contest.