Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Say Cheese! A Dispatch From the Frontline of the 2nd 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational
At its apex, the action at the 2nd 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational was hot and cheesy...as one might expect it be. Basking in the warm afternoon spring sunshine, attendees of the popular event Saturday swarmed about the lot of the Los Angeles Center Studios in Downtown, braving the lines and crowds to taste dozens upon dozens of grilled cheese sandwiches. Meanwhile, the competitors in the multiple "heats" of pan-seared showmanship were there for a taste of glory.
I walked the line at the event metaphorically--being not an Executive Judge (as LAist was last year; our invitation must have been lost in the mail, right?) nor one of the many eager attendees who registered for judging privileges ahead of time--and literally, getting a behind the scenes look at the cooking and the ogling but without doing any tasting. There was definitely a lot to see, and, for those with cash in hand, an appetite, and the patience, there was plenty to eat.
It was intense for the competitors who were working frantically to prep their concoctions in the four categories (Love, American Style; Missionary; Kama Sutra; and Honey Pot) and as intense for the voters, who had to clamor for the sandwich-givers' attention to get a coveted balloted taste.
Cheese enthusiasts braved long lines at the vendor tents and food trucks parked in multiple areas to purchase grilled cheese sandwiches and other tasty treats, drinkers packed the beer garden, and food fans watched numerous demos from the live stage.
Support for LAist comes from
Though a full list of the many winners among the many categories as bestowed by the people and the cheesy Executive Judges and Cheese Officials (you know, like the Mayor of Cheese) is forthcoming, we do know that the Grilled Cheese Truck took the People's Choice Award for favorite vendor. Here are the 1st place winners from the cook-off competition:
Love, American Style (dedicated to the classic grilled cheese sandwich, made with nothing but white bread, orange cheese and butter)
PROFESSIONAL: Cheese People - "Don't Make Wet My Box"
AMATEUR: Team Smile Say Cheese - "America: The Sandwich"
Missionary (sandwiches made with any type of bread, butter and cheese, but no other ingredients)
PROFESSIONAL: Grilled Cheese Guy - "The Brick's the Trick"
AMATEUR: "Team Cheesy Melty Goodness - "The Lucky Pierre"
Kama Sutra ("a gastronomorgasmic free-for-all")
PROFESSIONAL: M2 Rockin Chef - "Castro Mistro"
AMATEUR: Super Duper Zung Chung - "Fromage Connection"
Honey Pot (Dessert)
PROFESSIONAL: Kitchen24 - "Did you Jam your Cheesecake into My Sandwich?"
AMATEUR: Return of Mivens - "Cake and Mivens"
The 2011 Official Grilled Cheese Champion (Highest Scored Sammich)
The Return of Mivens - "Cake and Mivens"
See more pics and learn what one judge says are the guidelines for a successful sammich via Squid Ink.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist