Community Corner

Saint Louis Bread Co. Seeks Best Homemade Sandwich in St. Louis

The Great Sandwich Showdown Contest invites local amateur chefs to submit sandwich recipes, stories from the kitchen; the winning sandwich may be featured at all Saint Louis Bread Co. cafes.

Sandwich enthusiasts across St. Louis now have the opportunity to put their sandwich-making skills to the test. The .’s Great Sandwich Showdown Contest is under way, and it is an event that gives amateur chefs, bread connoisseurs and fans of delicious sandwiches throughout the city the chance to have their homemade concoction named the best sandwich in St. Louis. The winning sandwich also may become a featured menu item at all 48 Saint Louis Bread Co. bakery-cafes in the St. Louis metro area. 

“Saint Louis Bread Co. has always taken pride in offering a variety of freshly baked breads and new and exciting sandwich choices,” said Don Hutcheson, St. Louis Area Director for Saint Louis Bread Co., in a statement. “Our loyal customers know what makes a great-tasting sandwich, and have come to expect nothing but the best from our bakery-cafes. Now we’re asking them for their idea of a perfect sandwich, and to share that sandwich recipe with the city of St. Louis.” 

Now through Sept. 15, sandwich enthusiasts can submit their original sandwich recipes online at www.panerabread.com/showdown or by mail (see Official Rules for details). The site gives contestants a list of Saint Louis Bread Co.’s toppings and ingredients, which can be combined with the company’s famous artisan and other specialty breads to create the ideal sandwich. Contestants will also be asked to tell the story behind their submission and why their entry should be named the next great St. Louis sandwich.

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After all submissions are received, Saint Louis Bread Co. will narrow the field to 20 finalists. The public will then be invited to vote online to help determine the top five finalists whose sandwiches will compete in the live portion of the Great Sandwich Showdown Contest Oct. 26. At the event, a panel consisting of Hutcheson, Panera Head Chef Dan Kish, Panera Head Baker Tom Gumpel, local celebrity judges and the attending crowd will help name the winning sandwich. The winner will receive $2,500 cash and one year of Saint Louis Bread Co. bagels, as well as the chance to have their sandwich featured on cafe menu boards throughout the St. Metro area.

“We’re excited to see what kind of sandwiches St. Louis has in store for us,” Hutcheson said. “For years our chefs have been dedicated to finding the right combination of ingredients and breads for our signature sandwiches, and we know there are aspiring chefs throughout St. Louis who are ready to do the same. It’s going to be a fantastic contest, and we can’t wait to find the next great sandwich for Saint Louis Bread Co.”  

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In 2010, Paula Korman, Saint Louis, won the Sandwich Showdown with her entry Beefsteak Blue. Prior winners also include Lisa Hazard, Barnhart, with a Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich, and Caitlin Houstin, Saint Louis, who won with her Athen’s Chicken Sandwich.


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