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It was a hot and cheesy Saturday afternoon in the shadow of the mighty Rose Bowl as lovers of buttery bread pressed against melted cheese gathered to revel in their collective obsession. Ah, yes: The Grilled Cheese Invitational.
In its 10th year, the event did not fail to keep Angelenos hot and bothered in all ways imaginable, from the delicious frenzy at the competition fence-line where hands waved high against the bright Spring sky hoping to get a morsel of someone's witty concoction, to the long lines for popular food trucks, and, of course, that San Gabriel Valley afternoon heat. Ooooooweeee!
Still, few things can deter Grilled Cheese enthusiasts from donning skirts made of Kraft Singles, or hoisting up a cheddar-orange parasol to keep things quirky and cool. MarchFourth, the world's most eclectic marching band, wove their way through the crowds who braved the lines at Coolhaus for ice cream sandwiches or The Grilled Cheese Truck for their famous Cheesy Mac & Rib creation. While some beverage companies, like Fuze and Izze, made sure everyone had as many fruity juice drinks they could carry, there was a tented beer garden for those looking for something more adult with which to quench their thirst.
Of course, the action was at the rows of burners and pans, where competitors kept things sizzling in all four categories of competition. "Sammiches" produced ranged from the traditional to the avant garde, vegan to dessert, and everything--everything--in between. Cookers pimped their concoctions for hungry fans who'd purchased judging tickets, giving them the chance to taste and rate as many bites as they could shout for. A panel of Executive Judges also conferred throughout the day to pick winners from the many entries.
At the end of the day, when the last spatula had been set down, and the last strands of melty cheese slurped up, no matter who took home the trophies, the clear winner was the mighty grilled cheese itself, making true the GCi's slogan: "Bread, Butter, Cheese, Victory!"
UPDATE 5/1/12 11AM
We've got the full list of winners direct from the GCI. Congrats to all!
2012 Professional Missionary Official Results
1st Place: Mathew Michaud
The Sexiest Grilled Cheese Ever (Sourdough Bread, Cheddar, Swiss and American Cheese, Butter)
2nd Place: Michael Davidson
Put a Brick on it! (Cabot aged white cheddar, tillamook yellow cheddar, fresh cows milk mozz, acme pain au levain, euro style salted butter, brick, skillz)
3rd Place: Chris Brugler
Fondle My Figs (Black Mission Fig Challah Bread, brie cheese, butter)
2012 Professional Kama Sutra Official Results
1st Place: Mathew Michaud
This Little Piggie... (Sourdough Bread, Pepper Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Provolone Cheeses, Crispy Pulled Pork, Dijon Mustard, Prosciutto, Fire Roasted mild Chiles, Butter, Chimichurri Dipping Sauce and a whole lotta Love.)
2nd Place: Leesadie Lands
Masala Grilled Cheese (Sourdough Bread, Sharp Cheddar, red & Green Peppers, Onions,Chicken & Paneer.)
3rd Place: Dave Danhi
Burattavioli Melt (Buratta cheese w/ fried homemade mushroom ravioli, smoked tomatoes and arugula on whole roasted garlic bread w/ a Parmesan/prosciutto crust!)
2012 Professional Honey Pot Official Results
1st Place: Jennifer Vela
Lady Lemon Licker (Lemon pound cake; sweetened mascarpone & ricotta with lemon zest and vanilla; lemon curd; meringue; butter)
2nd Place: Michael Marrone
Hard on the Outside (Sliced Hawaiian Bread, Mild Cheddar, Chocolate Covered Bacon. Grilled traditionally, then a crispy cinnamon sugar shell is added to the outside.)
3rd Place: Gwendolyn Mathers
Aurora-Borealis (Sourdough, Daiya Mozzarella, Tofutti Cream Cheese, Candied Brandied Peaches, Maple Earth Balance, Berry Reduction)
2012 Professional Love, American Style Official Results
1st Place: Jennifer Vela
Cheeses Crust Superstar (Homemade White Bread; aged Cheddar cheese; butter)
2nd Place: Erik Kelley
SHOTS! (White Bread & Gooey Yellow)
3rd Place: MICHAEL DAVIDSON
The Brick is STILL the damn Trick (White bread, butter, orange cheese. Nothing else. Oh, but a brick. The one brick that rules them all, the one brick that finds them, the one brick that brings them all and in the darkness binds them.)
2012 Amateur Missionary Official Results
1st Place: MISSY MICHAUD
Hot Cha Cha (Jalapeno Swiss, Gouda, Sourdough)
2nd Place: Lucky McNulty
The Aristocrat (White Bread, Butter, Sharp Cheddar, Creamy Swiss, Parmesan, Manchego, Gruyere, Goat Cheese, Love)
3rd Place: Howard Brodwin
The Italyn Stallyn (Italian Bread, Provolone, Ricotta, Parmesan, Garlic Butter)
2012 Amateur Kama Sutra Official Results
1st Place: Micah Baskir
The Lyndon (Pork Belly, Cheese (multiple varieties), Butter, Bread, Avocado, Garlic, Basil, Tomato.)
2nd Place: Craig Joyce
Daneitzerland Surprise (Rosemary Olive Oil Bread, Havarti cheese, Gruyere cheese, Basil, Tomato, Garlic butter)
3rd Place: Josh Smith
The Lovekraft (Halloumi, teleme, baby octopus, pistachios, lemon, mint)
2012 Amateur Honey Pot Official Results
1st Place: Jenny Harrison
The Friggin' Figgin' Vegan (Olive Bread, Margarine, Vegan Mozzarella Cheese, Fig Butter, Orange Reduction Sauce, Powdered Sugar)
2nd Place: Jodi Taffel
Cream Me Up Scotty! It's So Money!!!! (The bread: homemade cranberry, butterscotch, chocolate chip, and parmesean gaugere. The filling: white chocolate cream cheese with tangerine zest, tangerine juice, toasted slivered almonds, and a splash of Cointreau)
3rd Place: Nicole Anderson
Cream Cheese Dream V3.0 (Cream cheese, cinnamon bread, butter, sugar, strawberry)
2012 Amateur Love, American Style Official Results
1st Place: Jeff Bernal
The Nibbler (Sourdough, Cheddar, Butter and Love.)
2nd Place: Ryan Bentz
The Uncle Sammy (Bread, butter, cheese, love.)
3rd Place: Taylor Henderson
Clobbersaurus (bread, cheese, butter)
2012 Grand Cheese Champions (Combined Amateur/Pro)
1st Professional: Mathew Michaud
This Little Piggie... (Sourdough Bread, Pepper Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Provolone Cheeses, Crispy Pulled Pork, Dijon Mustard, Prosciutto, Fire Roasted mild Chiles, Butter, Chimichurri Dipping Sauce and a whole lotta Love.)
2012 Biggest Spaz (Combined Amateur/Pro)
1st Amateur: Josh Smith
The Lovekraft (Halloumi, teleme, baby octopus, pistachios, lemon, mint)
2nd Amateur: Jodi Taffel
Cream Me Up Scotty! It's So Money!!!! (The bread: homemade cranberry, butterscotch, chocolate chip, and parmesean gaugere. The filling: white chocolate cream cheese with tangerine zest, tangerine juice, toasted slivered almonds, and a splash of Cointreau)
