Kretschmar Crowns Winning Sandwich Recipe

LISLE, Ill., Aug. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- What does it take to build a sandwich fit for a king? Just ask Mike Shillinger of San Antonio. Shillinger's roast beef and turkey creation topped the competition in Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats' "Build A Sandwich Fit For A King" contest. As the winner, Shillinger prepared and served his triumphant creation to "The King" Richard Petty and the No. 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.

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Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats, part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, started its sandwich race on June 15, inviting fans to submit their original sandwich recipes on the Kretschmar Facebook page over a three-week period. In the end, it was Shillinger's combination of roast beef and turkey topped with his special maddog sauce that took the checkered flag.

"We loved seeing the creative and innovative ways that our Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats products were used," said Chuck Gitkin, VP, Marketing, Innovation and R&D, John Morrell Food Group. "The 'Build A Sandwich Fit For A King' promotion was a great example of our consumers' originality and how dynamic their visions can be. We really enjoyed their creations and are pleased to know that Richard Petty did as well."

For his winning effort, Shillinger was invited to the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway as a guest of Kretschmar and the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports team. On Saturday, Shillinger put his culinary skills to the test.  They not only made the winning sandwich for Petty, but also for the rest of his race team.  

"Mike created a great sandwich," Richard Petty said. "He really spiced up a traditional recipe and made it his own.   It must have been a tough contest to pick a winner. I'll bet all of the entries were really good. Of course, it's tough to make a bad sandwich when you're using Kretschmar meats."

In addition to meeting the team, Shillinger was able to tour through the garage, walk down pit lane and watch the weekend's races.

"This weekend is a once-in-a-lifetime event," Shillinger said. "To meet Richard Petty and serve him and his team lunch, that's pretty unbelievable. I was a little nervous serving them my sandwich. I was really hoping that they liked it. Fortunately Richard told me that it was really good."

For more information about Kretschmar Deli, please visit www.kretschmardeli.com or www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $13 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About John Morrell Food Group 
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour®, Eckrich®, John Morrell®, Curly's®, Patrick Cudahy®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Margherita®, Kretschmar® and LunchMakers®.

About Kretschmar
Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883.  Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process.  Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts.  Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today.

For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli) or our website at www.kretschmardeli.com.

SOURCE Kretschmar Deli