The Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Contest, presented by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce

Sunday, September 1, 2:00pm

Get ready to indulge in one of the Oregon State Fair’s sweetest traditions!

Among the Fair’s many long-standing events, few are as popular as the Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Contest. Frank was the sole judge of the competition, and even after his passing, his spirit lives on through this beloved competition. The Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Contest is returning this year, presented by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, September 1.

A lifelong champion for Oregon, Gerry Frank passed away in March 2022 at 98 years old, after spending 60 years tasting hundreds of chocolate layer cakes at the Oregon State Fair. Frank’s love of chocolate was recognized by legions, and today, his contest is the best-known of its kind in the Northwest.

Every year, fairgoers celebrated his cake-tasting fortitude while on stage, often cajoling the crowd with his stories, chocolate trivia questions, and baking advice. Gerry founded and sold Gerry Frank’s Konditorei, a gourmet cake shop, and restaurant in Salem. Konditorei proudly serves delicious desserts Monday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm at 310 Kearney SE in Salem, Oregon 97302.

Tom Hoffert is back this year to judge your cakes! No stranger to baking, he spent 15 years managing business expansion and corporate partnerships for one of Salem’s largest craft baking companies, Don Pancho Mexican Foods. Now, as the CEO of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, he focuses on supporting Salem’s small businesses and championing their growth: “At the Salem Chamber, we believe in helping businesses prosper so our entire community may thrive.”

The Oregon State Fair extends its highest level of gratitude and appreciation to Gerry Frank for his loyal dedication to this beloved contest. His contribution to the unique nature of our fair is beyond remarkable, and the Oregon State Fair is very grateful to his estate for letting us pay tribute to him with the Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Contest, presented by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

Enter Your Chocolate Cake!

Bring your best chocolate layer cake to the Oregon State Fair on Sunday, September 1 – the contest begins at 2:00 pm in Columbia Hall. Anyone bringing a chocolate cake to the Oregon State Fair on Sunday, September 1 to enter the Gerry Frank Memorial Chocolate Cake Competition will receive free entry to the Fair that day.

Prizes

1^st Place – $250.00 gift card to Kelly’s Home Center

2^nd Place – $150.00 gift card to Roth’s Fresh Market

3^rd Place – $100.00 gift card to Roth’s Fresh Market

4^th Place – $50.00 gift card to Roth’s Fresh Market

5^th Place – $50.00 gift card to Roth’s Fresh Market