COMPETITION OVERVIEW
NOVEMBER 8-12, 2017
ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
The Reuben. The Monte Cristo. The Dagwood. The Muffaletta. Sandwiches have so much personality we give them their own names. As a beloved staple of American cuisine, there could be no World Food Championships if the sandwich was not represented.
The World Sandwich Championship will pit 50 of the world’s best sandwich-smiths against each other for the title of World Sandwich Champion. Home cooks, restaurateurs and chefs will all compete to see whose cuisine reigns supreme. The champion will then take their winning stack to the Final Table for a chance to win the World Food Championship.
WORLD SANDWICH CHAMPIONSHIP
$10,000 GRAND PRIZE
Schedule and Rules
Competition Structure
The World Food Championships will feature three rounds of competition.
Signature Dish: competitors will create their best recipe for judging within each category.
Structured Build: this round separates the contenders from the pretenders by forcing everyone to create their own spin on the same basic dish.
Infused Ingredient: the top competitors in each category will face off for culinary supremacy using the same ingredient in their final category dish.
2016 Competitor Packets
Competition Schedule and Rules
The World Sandwich Championship will be limited to the first 50 entrants who are fully qualified, registered and confirmed. Any qualified entrant who wants to compete after the field is full must seek a special exemption from the WFC competition committee.
The following events are International Qualifiers for the 2017 World Sandwich Championship:
Canadian Food Championships - Edmonton, AB Canada - 7/21/17-7/23/17
Caribbean Food Championships - Coco Beach, Puerto Rico - 6/10/17
The following events are Preferred Qualifiers for the 2017 World Sandwich Championship:
Porktoberque - Dothan, AL - 9/29/17-10/1/17
Taste of America - 1st Place - Online - 6/1/17-7/5/17
The following events are Elite Qualifiers for the 2017 World Sandwich Championship:
Food Champ Online Recipe Contests - online - Monthly
Jubilee Festival of the Arts (Sandwich competition) - 9/23/17-9/24/17
Wild Card Elite Division - Online - 4/5/17-10/1/17
The following competitions are automatic qualifiers for the 2017 World Sandwich Championship:
United States Events
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kenmore's Fully Loaded Idaho Potato Cook-Off-Recipe | US | |
| Culinary Fight Club | Various Locations, US | |
| Culinary Fight Club | Various Locations, US | |
| Blend The Rules | US | Jan 1, 2017 |
| 2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - 9th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| Alabama Festival of Flavor (Sandwich competition) | Foley, AL, US | Oct 7, 2017 |
| 2016 World Sandwich Champion - Mary Kay Lang | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 2nd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 3rd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 4th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 5th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 6th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 7th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 8th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - 9th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Sandwich Championship - Top Ten - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| PorktoberQue | Dothan, AL, US | Sep 29, 2017 |
| Taco Libre Montgomery | Montgomery, AL, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
| Just A Pinch - WFC Top Ten Sandwich - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| Jubilee Festival of the Arts - (Sandwich competition) | Old Towne Daphne, AL, US | Sep 23, 2017 |
| 2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| Grillin In the Ozarks (Chicken Wing competition) | Rogers, AR, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Rockin' Wings at the Ridge | Walnut Ridge, AR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Rockin' Wings at the Ridge (People's Choice) | Walnut Ridge, AR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Grilling in the Ozarks (Recipe competition) | Rogers, AR, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Mad Butcher Pink Tomato Festival Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Warren, AR, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Line Drives & Dingers Steak Cookoff (Hot Dog competition) | Bearden, AR, US | |
| Best of PhoenixNew Times: Best Sandwich | Phoenix, AZ, US | |
| Phoenix New Times - Best Grilled Cheese | Phoenix, AZ, US | |
| Phoenix New Times - Best Jewish Deli | Phoenix, AZ, US | |
| Phoenix New Times - Best Sandwich | Phoenix, AZ, US | |
| Phoenix New Times - Best Tortas | Phoenix, AZ, US | |
| Gloria Ferrar's Glorious Bites - Grand Prize Winner | Sonoma, CA, US | Oct 15, 2016 |
| Spud Nation's Throwdown | San Francisco, CA, US | Jan 4, 2017 |
| Gilroy Great Garlic Cook-Off | Gilroy, CA, US | Jul 28, 2017 |
| Bella Sun Luci Recipe Contest - (Mooney Farms) | Chico, CA, US | Jan 1, 2017 |
| San Diego's Best - Best Deli | San Diego, CA, US | |
| Sonoma County Sandwich Showdown (Battle of the Brews) | Santa Rosa, CA, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| 2nd Annual Submarine Sandwich Throwdown - Professional Chef | New London, CT, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
| 2nd Annual Submarine Sandwich Throwdown - Amateur Chef | New London, CT, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
| Washington City Paper - Best Fried Chicken Sandwich | Washington, DC, US | |
| Washington City Paper - Best Sandwich | Washington, DC, US | |
| Flora-Bama Yacht Club Wild Chef Throwdown (Sandwich competition) | Perdido Key, FL, US | Jun 2, 2017 |
| Jacksonville Magazine - Best Restaurants Bash | Jacksonville, FL, US | Jan 26, 2017 |
| Summer Splash Steak & Chicken Wing Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Jacksonville, FL, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
| Helpful Hands Sizzlin Summer Cooking Challenge (Recipe competition) | Oviedo, FL, US | Aug 26, 2017 |
| Oviedo Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Oviedo, FL, US | Aug 26, 2017 |
| Double T's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Davenport, FL, US | Sep 8, 2017 |
| 2015 World Recipe Champion - Alethia Shih | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| Burger Beast Burgie Awards - Best Sandwich | Hialeah, FL, US | Oct 21, 2016 |
| Orlando Cuban Sandwich Smackdown | Orlando, FL, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Cuban Sandwich Festival at HCC - Ybor City | Tampa Bay, FL, US | Mar 12, 2017 |
| Miami Cuban Sandwich Smackdown | Miami, FL, US | Mar 12, 2017 |
| 2015 World Sandwich Champion - Lori Rukstales | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| Best of Orlando 2016 - Orlando Weekly - Best Sandwiches | Orlando, FL, US | |
| Miami New Times - Best Sandwich Shop | Miami, FL, US | |
| Sonny's Invitational BBQ Smokin Showdown and Steak Cookoff (Steak competition) | Sanford, FL, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
| REEF Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby (Judge's Choice) | Palm Beach, FL, US | Aug 13, 2017 |
| REEF Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby (People's Choice) | Palm Beach, FL, US | Aug 13, 2017 |
| Taste of Perdido - Perdido Keys Wine & Art Festival (Friday night People's Choice) | Perdido Key, FL, US | Apr 21, 2017 |
| The Taste Beer & Food Festival | Inverness, FL, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| WSC - Top Ten | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| QC Tailgate Cookoff at the Valley - (Sandwich competition) | Pleasant Valley, IA, US | Jun 3, 2017 |
| Chicago's Best Wingfest | Chicago, IL, US | Mar 5, 2017 |
| Heritage Days Steak Throwdown (Grilled Cheese competition) | Belvidere, IL, US | |
| Taste of Blanchard Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Shreveport, LA, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
| Boston Magazine - Best of Boston - Best Fried Chicken | Boston, MA, US | Jul 18, 2017 |
| Boston Magazine - Best Sandwich | Boston, MA, US | Jul 18, 2017 |
| Big Island BBQ (Chicken competition) | Albert Lea, MN, US | Aug 25, 2017 |
| Minnesota State Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Albert Lea, MN, US | Aug 25, 2017 |
| Minneapolis CityPages - Best Deli | Minneapolis, MN, US | |
| Taste of KC | Kansas City, MO, US | May 18, 2017 |
| Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 1 (Chicken Wing competition) | Climax Springs, MO, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
| Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 2 (Chicken Wing competition) | Climax Springs, MO, US | Aug 6, 2017 |
| North Carolina Peanut Growers Association PB&J Contest | Raleigh, NC, US | Oct 13, 2016 |
| Bikers Blues and BBQ Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Salsbury, NC, US | Sep 16, 2017 |
| Food Network Challenge: $100,000 Chicken Challenge (Episode: CC0201H) | Charlotte, NC, US | |
| Triangle Downtowner Magazine - Best Sandwiches | Raleigh, NC, US | |
| GOBS Grilling Championship Series 2 (Appetizer competition) | Omaha, NE, US | |
| Munch Madness Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Rahway, NJ, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| 2012 World Food Champion - Robert Butler | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| 2013 World Sandwich Champion - Jennifer Daskovich | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| 2014 World Sandwich Champion - Kelli Fairchild-Cochran | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| Culinary Institute of America - Special Invitation - Tenzing Namdhak | NY, US | |
| Cincinnati CityBeat - Best Chicken | Cincinnati, OH, US | Feb 1, 2017 |
| Cincinnati CityBeat - Best Deli | Cincinnati, OH, US | Dec 31, 2016 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Individual Division) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - People's Choice) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Restaurant Division) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Tripp Haggard Memorial Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Broken Arrow, OK, US | Jul 15, 2017 |
| Mills Fleet Farm and Roundy's BBQ Chicken Recipe Contest (USA Today - Wisconsin) | ONLINE, US | May 20, 2016 |
| Sandra's Chicken Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Nov 15, 2016 |
| Wine Pairings Instagram Contest | ONLINE, US | Jan 31, 2017 |
| Portland's Best Fried Chicken Sandwich | ONLINE, US | |
| Sebastiani Vineyards Pizza My Way Homemade Pizza Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Mar 31, 2017 |
| America's Better Sandwich Contest - Breakfast in Bed Category Winner | ONLINE, US | |
| America's Better Sandwich Contest - Creative Classics Category Winner | ONLINE, US | |
| America's Better Sandwich Contest - Fueling Good Category Winner | ONLINE, US | |
| America's Better Sandwich Contest - Grand Prize Winner | ONLINE, US | |
| America's Better Sandwich Contest - Open-Faced Artistry Category Winner | ONLINE, US | |
| America's Better Sandwich Contest - State Favorites Category Winner | ONLINE, US | |
| Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown - Gold Award | ONLINE, US | May 14, 2017 |
| Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown - Silver Award | ONLINE, US | May 14, 2017 |
| Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown - Bronze Award | ONLINE, US | May 14, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 1st Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Big Game Challenge | ONLINE, US | Jan 24, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 2nd Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 3rd Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Taste of Home Modern Comfort Food Recipe Contest (#187) | ONLINE, US | Jul 10, 2017 |
| Maple Leaf Farms 2016 Strut Your Duck Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Jul 1, 2016 |
| Royalty Pecans Recipe Contest - Special Ingredient Challenge | ONLINE, US | |
| Red Gold Online Contest - Sandwich - 1st Place | ONLINE, US | May 1, 2017 |
| Red Gold Online Contest - Sandwich - 2nd Place | ONLINE, US | May 1, 2017 |
| Red Gold Online Contest - Sandwich - 3rd Place | ONLINE, US | May 1, 2017 |
| Red Gold Online Contest - Sandwich - 4th Place | ONLINE, US | May 1, 2017 |
| Red Gold Online Contest - Sandwich - 5th Place | ONLINE, US | May 1, 2017 |
| Key Food/Smucker’s “Best Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich” Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown - Judge's Award | ONLINE, US | May 14, 2017 |
| Egg-Cellent Baking Contest | ONLINE, US | May 31, 2017 |
| Keystone – Beef Up Family Time Recipe Contest (using Keystone All Natural Chicken) | ONLINE, US | May 31, 2017 |
| Taste of Home Chicken & Chops Recipe Contest (#186) | ONLINE, US | May 25, 2017 |
| Restaurant Hospitality's Best Sandwich in America | ONLINE, US | May 24, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 4th Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 5th Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Challenge Butter - Online Contest - 1st Place | ONLINE, US | Aug 28, 2017 |
| TOA - Michigan Apples | ONLINE, US | Jul 24, 2017 |
| TOA - Fiesta Seasonings | ONLINE, US | Jul 24, 2017 |
| TOA - Fiesta Seasonings - First Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 24, 2017 |
| Ernie's Best Wings Chicken Wing Cook-Off | Erie, PA, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Philly Mag - Best Fried Chicken Sandwich | Philadelphia, PA, US | |
| Annual Mushroom Festival - Amateur Mushroom Cook-off - Judge's Choice | Kennett Square, PA, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Hot Chicken Week | Nashville, TN, US | Jan 23, 2017 |
| BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Big Kahuna Champion and Tennessee State Champion | Knoxville, TN, US | Jun 17, 2017 |
| BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Exotic Flavor Champion | Knoxville, TN, US | Jun 17, 2017 |
| International Biscuit Festival | Knoxville, TN, US | May 20, 2017 |
| Wild Card Elite Division | TN, US | Apr 5, 2017 |
| Cooks vs. Cons Season 2 Episode 10 - Stacy Dow | TV, US | |
| The F Word on FOX - Episode 5 - Casey Jones | TV, US | |
| Five Alarm Showdown #1 (Chicken Wing competition) | Bastrop, TX, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Georgewest, TX, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| NBBQA Classic Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Fort Worth, TX, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| John Henry's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Houston, TX, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #2 (Chicken Wing competition) | Neiderwald, TX, US | Apr 15, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #3 (Chicken Wing competition) | Pflugerville, TX, US | May 13, 2017 |
| Premier Gilling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Little Elm, TX, US | May 20, 2017 |
| Proud of Texas POD Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Waco, TX, US | Jun 24, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #4 (Chicken Wing competition) | Georgetown, TX, US | Jul 8, 2017 |
| Out West Bar & Grill Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | West, TX, US | Aug 19, 2017 |
| Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Bedford, TX, US | Sep 2, 2017 |
| Azle Sting Fling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Azle, TX, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| The Sky's the Limit Balloon Spectacular (Chicken Wing competition) | Gainesville, TX, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Smokin Possum Hollow Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Graham, TX, US | Sep 16, 2017 |
| San Antonio Current - Best Sandwiches | San Antonio, TX, US | |
| Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | George West, TX, US | Mar 4, 2016 |
| Pantegofest Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Arlington, TX, US | |
| Houston Steak Championship (Chicken Wing competition) | Houston, TX, US | |
| Winter Wonderland Steak (Appetizer competition) | Graham, TX, US | |
| LOC Rodeo Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | George West, TX, US | |
| John Henry's Steak Cookoff (1-Bite Challenge) | Houston, TX, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| SCA: RAHR-B-Que Steak Cook-Off (Appetizer competition) | Fort Worth, TX, US | May 7, 2017 |
| Whitney Wildcat Athletic Booster Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Lake Whitney, TX, US | |
| Smokin Possum Hollow Steak Cookoff (Grilled Cheese competition) | Graham, TX, US | |
| City Weekly's Best of Utah - Best Chicken Sandwich | Salt Lake City, UT, US | Nov 17, 2016 |
| City Weekly's Best of Utah - Best Sandwich | Salt Lake City, UT, US | Nov 17, 2016 |
| Pacific Northwest Inlander - Best Sandwiches | Spokane, WA, US | |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (Judge's Choice) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (Most Unique) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (People's Choice) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Regional West Australian BEST Steak Sandwich Competition | Perth, WA, AU | May 16, 2017 |
| Canadian Food Championships - Sandwich - 1st and 2nd Place | Edmonton, AB, CA | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - France | FR | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - Haiti | HT | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - Philippines | HT | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Special Invitation - International - Bread & Beast | Wan Chai, HK | |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Amateur division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Professional division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Sandwich competition) - Amateur division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Sandwich competition) - Professional division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| Special Invitation - Philippine Council of Hospitality Management Students | Manila, PH | |
| British Sandwich Designer of the Year - United Kingdom | Chepstow, GB | May 11, 2017 |