Beaverton, OR – Reser’s second annual “America’s Best Potato Salad Challenge” asked cooks to get creative and submit their best potato salad recipe. Hundreds of submissions poured in from across the nation. Reser’s culinary team evaluated the entries and selected the top 20. Then, Reser’s asked America to cast its vote to help determine which lucky contestants would win a trip to this year’s World Food Championships in Las Vegas (Nov 7-10). Final scores were weighted as follows: 75 percent based on Reser’s judging panel and 25 percent based on the online voting portion of the contest.
“This year’s winners’ hail from seven states, with California and Florida each boasting two,” states Lacey Werner, associate category manager. “In addition to geographic diversity, the recipes offer an incredible mix of flavors. The top recipes include veggie-packed salads, spicy salads that kick up the heat and comfort food classics that feature the perennially popular bacon.”
The top nine winners will each receive $1,000 plus a $1,000 travel stipend to compete (against the six winners from the competitive BBQ circuit) at the America’s Best Potato Salad Challenge final, a featured competition at the World Food Championships. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000.
Top 9 Winning Potato Salad Recipes (listed in random order)
- Smoky Grilled Potato Salad from Dawn J. (California)
- Buffalo Bleu Potato Round-Up from Darlene B. (Arizona)
- Mojito Grilled Potato Salad from Eileen B. (Florida)
- Bacon Artichoke Potato Salad from Jan L. (Oklahoma)
- The Herban Urban Potato Salad from Josie S. (California)
- Garlic Roasted New Potato Salad from Mark H. (Texas)
- Roasted Red Potato Salad with Latin-Inspired Green Goddess Dressing from Edwina G. (Idaho)
- Spicy Tex-Mex Chili Cheese Potato Salad from Nancy J. (Utah)
- Lemony Chimichurri Grilled Medley Potato Salad from Sherri W. (Florida)
If one or more of the above nine winners is unable or unwilling to compete at the World Food Championships, the next ranked finalist (see order below) will be contacted to participate in his or her place.
Finalists/Alternates (listed in order of rank)
1. Fried Potato Panzanella from Andria G. (North Carolina)
2. Roasted Sweet Potato Salad from Melanie M. (Tennessee)
3. Potato Kalamata with Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette from Lorelle T. (Florida)
4. Skillet Roasted Potato Salad with Warm Sweet Bacon Dressing from Joyce P. (New Jersey)
5. Perky Teriyaki Potato Salad from Sugiyarti J. (Alaska)
6. Lager Potato Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing from Dyan C. (Montana)
7. Mediterranean Potato Salad from Nancy V. (California)
8. Candied Bacon Fingerling Potato Salad w/ Raspberry Basil Vinaigrette & Garden Vegetables
from Sonya G. (Minnesota)
9. Rojo Potato Salad from Claudia M. (Texas)
10. Peppery Roasted Potato Salad from Carolyn K. (California)
11. Pesto Potato Salad with Snap Peas and Feta from Elizabeth W. (Virginia)
Contest Prizes:
- Top 20 recipes will be featured in Reser’s “America’s Best Potato Salad” digital cookbook.
- Top 9 winners will each receive $1,000 plus a $1,000 travel stipend to compete in the America’s Best Potato Salad Championship in Las Vegas at the World Food Championships.
- Top 4 winners at WFC will receive cash prizes ranging from $200-$3,000.
- Grand prize winner will receive $10,000.
Contest Timeline:
- Nov. 6, 2013 Top 9 winners will compete at the America’s Best Potato Salad Championship at the World Food Championships
- Nov. 11, 2013 Re-cap of the championship event, winner’s announced online
About the World Food Championships
The $300,000 World Food Championships is set to take place Nov. 7-10 and will feature nearly 500 competitors seeking food fame and fortune in Downtown Las Vegas. The second annual event will invite the champions from the biggest and best food competitions around the world into a single high stakes culinary showdown. Following a tournament-style format across seven iconic food categories, the WFC will culminate with a Final Table faceoff where category champions will brave potential elimination in front of a live audience and a discerning panel of culinary celebrities. http://www.worldfoodchampionships.com
About Reser’s
North American-based Reser’s is the leading provider of deli salads, fresh salads, side dishes and prepared foods. Reser’s makes fun times easy and affordable for every family. Reser’s famous deli salads are a family favorite at picnics, BBQs and tailgaters. Founded in 1950, the company remains privately owned and operated and committed to providing delicious refrigerated foods for the supermarket and food service industries. Reser’s operates 18 facilities and employs nearly 4,800 employees in the US, Mexico and Canada. Visit http://www.resers.com.
Source: Reser’s
