Rivalry Moves From Football Field to Kitchen During LG Coaches' Cook-Off™ at Dr Pepper SEC Fanfare

ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- SEC Football coaching legends Pat Dye and Vince Dooley moved their long-time rivalry from the football field to the kitchen today at the LG Coaches' Cook-off™, sponsored by LG Electronics USA.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101204/CG12249 )

CBS College Sports Network will air a 30-minute LG Coaches' Cook-off show, hosted by CBSSports.com's Lauren Shehadi and veteran SEC announcer Dave Baker, on Thursday, Dec. 16 (8:30 p.m. ET).

Coach Dye, who led the Auburn Tigers to four SEC Championships during his tenure from 1981 to 1992, and Coach Dooley, who won a National Championship while coaching the Georgia Bulldogs for more than 20 years, met in another highly anticipated match-up. This contest took place in the LG Kitchen at the Dr Pepper SEC Fanfare with Celebrity Chef Tim Love judging the culinary showdown.

In advance of the 2010 SEC Championship Game, Coach Dooley and Coach Dye competed side by side in the LG Kitchen, fully outfitted with a double oven range, a four-door French door refrigerator, a microwave and two induction cooktops. With the assistance of two sous chefs from Le Cordon Bleu, both coaches had 30 minutes to prepare shrimp and grits, an old Southern favorite.

After much chopping, seasoning and sauteing, Chef Love, who judged the two coaches' dishes, named Coach Dye the winner. LG Electronics, an official Corporate Partner of NCAA Football, hosted the cooking competition and is making a $5,000 donation in both participating coaches' names to the National Football Foundation, whose mission is to promote and develop the power of amateur football on all levels throughout the United States and to cultivate leadership, sportsmanship, enthusiasm for competition, and the drive for academic excellence among America's youth.

"The competitive juices were flowing," said Dye. "It always fun to compete against my old friend and rival, coach Dooley. It's even more fun when I win."

Celebrity Chef Love, owner of the Lonesome Dove and the Love Shack in Texas, perhaps best known for his appearances on the CBS Early Show and Food Network's Iron Chef, judged each of the coaches on the creativity, presentation, and the flavor of their dish. After the cook-off, Chef Love praised each of the coaches for their performance during the competition: "Coach Dye and Coach Dooley did a great job representing their universities. It was a fun competition for all involved and benefited a great organization."

"Coach Dye and I have had some heated battles over the years," said Dooley. "We had a great time today for a great cause and now that I know he can cook, I'll be stopping by his house more often."

The LG Kitchen is part of a customized 28-foot mobile exhibit, equipped with LG Infinia HDTVs and multiple gaming stations to deliver a unique interactive tailgate experience for tens of thousands of college football fans from coast to coast. LG Electronics USA has teamed up with Best Buy, Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) and NCAA® Football to bring this ultimate college football experience to fans at the SEC Championship with the LG Presents EA SPORTS 2010 NCAA FOOTBALL CHALLENGE TOUR.

"The LG Coaches' Cook-off captures the excitement of the tour, which celebrates rivalries, and LG is proud to work with Coach Dye and Coach Dooley to support the National Football Foundation," said Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing, LG Electronics USA. "The LG Coaches Cook-off, which emphasizes competition and good sportsmanship, is the perfect pre-game event to get the crowd ready for an exciting SEC Championship game."

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications with annual revenues exceeding $57 billion (2009 global sales including subsidiaries). In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.LGusa.com.

LG Coaches' Cook-off is a trademark of LG Electronics USA

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.