Canada's Best Sandwich Contest is back and more delicious than ever

~ ACE Bakery, Food Network Star Bob Blumer, and renowned food blogger, Julie Van Rosendaal, search coast-to-coast for the country's best sandwich recipe ~

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - It's back, Canada - bigger and better than ever. Today, ACE Bakery and Food Network Star Bob Blumer, announced the launch of the highly anticipated Anniversary Edition of Canada's Best Sandwich Contest. Building on the mouth-watering success of the contest's inaugural year, the search is back on to discover new and even more spectacular sandwich recipes from across the country. In celebration of its 20^th anniversary, ACE Bakery is tempting Canadians with a grand prize that is even sweeter than last year - $20,000.

"Last year, Canadians really impressed us with the level of creativity and originality they brought to the table, but we know that was just the tip of the iceberg," explained Marcus Mariathas, ACE Bakery's master baker and contest judge.  "This year, we've partnered with Bob Blumer for Canada's Best Sandwich Contest: 20^th Anniversary Edition, and with even more on the line, we hope to inspire delicious and innovative recipes that deserve a spot in the limelight."

Canadians across the country are encouraged to slice up their favourite ACE Bakery bread and put their unique sandwich recipes to the test.  Canada's Best Sandwich Contest: 20^th Anniversary Edition will be accepting recipes on the ACE Bakery website (acebakery.com) from now through September 24, 2013.  Submissions will then be reviewed by Bob Blumer, Julie Van Rosendaal, popular Calgary-based blogger behind DinnerWithJulie.com, and ACE Bakery, and scored based on their taste appeal, creativity, innovation and originality.

"As a culinary adventurer, I thrive off creating new dishes, and unique sandwich recipes are no exception," said Bob Blumer, host of the Food Network's World's Weirdest Restaurants, Glutton for Punishment and Surreal Gourmet. "Whether you're an experienced chef or just starting out in the kitchen, sandwiches are the perfect canvas for culinary experimentation. Start by picking fresh ingredients you love and then let your creativity run wild!"

On October 7, one regional finalist from Western Canada (including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba), Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada (including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland) will be announced.  Each regional winner will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize, as well as a $1,000 donation to their charity of choice.  Additionally, the recipes of the four finalists will be featured at the ACE Bakery Café and Bread Store in Toronto during the months of October and November.  Last year's winning sandwich, Thuy Nguyen's Lemongrass Steak Banh Mi, will be showcased at the ACE Café for the week of August 19^th for those looking for some additional inspiration.

The regional winners will then be invited to Toronto to participate in a Sandwich Showdown on October 17, where they will prepare their own recipes in front of a live audience.  Bob Blumer, Julie Van Rosendaal and Marcus Mariathas will judge the final creations and decide on the winning recipe.  The creator of the winning recipe will be awarded an additional $20,000 - $10,000 cash prize to take home and $10,000 to donate to their charity of choice.

ABOUT ACE BAKERY:
One of North America's leading artisan bakeries, ACE Bakery opened in 1993 creating hand-made, European-style rustic breads.  The gentle shaping of each loaf, long fermentation periods, and a stone deck oven all work to create exceptionally flavourful bread with a pleasing texture and crisp crust. The breads contain no preservatives and are made with the finest ingredients. ACE Bakery's baguettes and artisan breads are available at hundreds of restaurants, hotels, caterers, grocery and gourmet food shops across Canada, throughout the United States and the Caribbean.

Community involvement is an essential part of ACE's philosophy. The company donates a percentage of its net profits to charitable organizations in the principle centres where ACE breads are sold. ACE's focus is on food and nutrition programs that assist low-income members of the community, financing culinary scholarships and supporting organic farming initiatives.

SOURCE: ACE Bakery