Top Chef Sam Talbot Wins Mezzetta® "Make That Sandwich" Celebrity Chef Charity Challenge

NAPA VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mezzetta Specialty Foods, America's number-one producer of imported and domestic peppers and olives, today announced that professional chef, author and television personality chef Sam Talbot garnered the most votes to win the third annual "Make That Sandwich" Celebrity Chef Sandwich Charity Challenge. On Chef Talbot's behalf, Mezzetta® will donate $10,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes research. His healthy "Pickled Broccoli & Pepper Panini on Whole Grain Toast" beat out the creations of five other celebrity chefs -- including two previous winners, Michael Ferraro, Executive Chef at New York City's Delicatessen and macbar (2011) and The Chew's Michael Symon (2010) -- in the contest determined by the highest number of public votes on the "Make That Sandwich" web site.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120925/NY79268 )

The Celebrity Chef Sandwich Charity Challenge, part of Mezzetta's 2012 "Make That Sandwich Recipe Contest," featured six culinary masters competing against one another for sandwich supremacy and a chance to win a donation to the charity of their choice. Talbot's top-rated panini sandwich was created using two slices of whole grain toast, Mezzetta® California Broccoli Flowerettes, Mezzetta® Roasted Red Bell Pepper pieces, Mezzetta® Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil and grated pecorino cheese. (For the full recipe, click here).

Diagnosed at age 12 with type 1 diabetes, Talbot works closely with the JDRF which has partnered with him on his diabetes awareness foundation, The Sweet Life Kitchen Series. He recently published his first cookbook, The Sweet Life, Diabetes Without Boundaries.

"I've been living with type 1 diabetes for most of my life, so supporting the JDRF and their efforts in finding a cure is very important to me.  Thanks to Mezzetta, I am able to support this charity that is so close to my heart in an even bigger and better way," said Chef Sam Talbot.  "This sandwich contest gave me the opportunity to come up with a fresh and healthy recipe that anyone can enjoy."

For more information on the contest and for Talbot's "Pickled Broccoli & Pepper Panini on Whole Grain Toast" recipe visit www.makethatsandwich.com. In the upcoming days, Mezzetta® will be announcing the winners of its "Make That Sandwich Recipe Contest." Competing for a grand prize of $25,000 and a trip for two to Napa Valley (home to Mezzetta® headquarters), home cooks entered their original recipes for the contest at www.makethatsandwich.com in any or all of three categories: cold sandwich, hot sandwich and vegetarian sandwich. The contest ended on Labor Day (September 3, 2012).

ABOUT THE JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION: JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.

ABOUT MEZZETTA SPECIALTY FOODS: With a tradition that began in 1935 in San Francisco's historic North Beach District, Mezzetta® is a specialty food producer best known for being America's favorite brand of domestic and imported peppers and olives. Mezzetta Specialty Foods was founded by Giuseppe Luigi Mezzetta, an Italian immigrant who started the business selling specialty food items imported from Italy. Jeff Mezzetta, his great grandson, now runs the company from a new facility in the United States culinary capital, Napa Valley. The Mezzetta® family includes three distinct brands that represent a wide variety of regional culinary specialties made from wholesome, quality ingredients and authentic recipes. Based on a rich Italian-American heritage spanning four generations, Mezzetta® is committed to delivering flavor, convenience, and value to today's health-conscious consumers. For more ideas to spark your imagination, please visit www.mezzetta.com.

SOURCE Mezzetta Specialty Foods