LOS ANGELES, CALIF., Dec. 14, 2012 – Panera Bread announced today the winner of the 2012 Sandwich Showdown Contest is Leigh Ann Gosney of Nuevo, Calif. The 29-year-old Southern Californian has been awarded the title of Best Sandwich in the U.S. for her culinary creation, the ‘White Cheddar Turkey and Apple Sandwich’.
Gosney, an Air Force reservist, heard the news on Veterans Day that her sandwich was voted winner over 36,000 national entries. Gosney will take home $10,000 cash, $500 worth of Panera Bread gift cards, free Panera bagels for a year and will have her sandwich on the menu for a limited time in 2013 at participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the United States.
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“We’re excited that Leigh Ann shared so much of herself with this outstanding sandwich, and we can’t wait to share it with people in her community, and around the country,” said Stephanie Wren, Senior Regional Marketing Manager at Panera Bread.
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The official contest, hosted online at www.TLC.com/Panera, ran from Sept. 12 through Oct. 6, and provided contestants an interactive virtual sandwich builder and required background on the story behind the submission and why the entry should be named the next great legendary sandwich. Gosney’s original sandwich recipe was paired with a description of inspiration from her mother, with some creative nudging from her husband on specific ingredients.
“My husband encouraged me to incorporate apples since I have roots in Washington state,” she explained. “My mum got me interested in cooking and food. She is from England and used to give me apples and cheese as a snack. It all came together quite nicely for the final sandwich entry.”
The top 20 semifinalists have been rewarded for their creations; four semi-finalists won $1,000 cash and a $150 Panera Bread gift card and the 15 remaining finalists each won a $150 Panera Bread gift card.
The Best Sandwich in the U.S. will be sampled prior to the menu inclusion during a very special event Dec. 14 at 2-3 p.m. at the Panera Bread café located at 3013 West Florida Avenue, Hemet, Calif.
About Panera Bread
Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,625 bakery-cafes as of September 25, 2012, under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® and Paradise Bakery & Café® names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans-fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.
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