The 2011 Grilled Cheese Invitational

This was the second year I went to the Grilled Cheese Invitational in Downtown LA, and it was amazing. I have so much to share, but I'll keep it simple. While I only voted for a few of the actual competitors, I had a couple winners of my own...

{Click on the Images to Enlarge}

The Vendors

The Dogtown Truck

The California Dog, Avocado, Fried Onion, Arugula, Tomatos, Basil Aioli - My Favorite Hot Dog

Grub

Betty Fraser, from Top Chef and Owner of Grub, Serving her Grilled Cheese


Homemade Ginger Ale, Grilled Cheese with Dill, and Tomato Soup *WINNER*


The Fosse Cookie: Chocolate Chip with Potato Chips

Tillamook

Three Cheese

Campanille

Burrata with Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes


Assorted Spicy Meats


The Feast Truck

Tomato Basil


Turkey, Pepper Jack, Stuffing and Cranberry Aioli *WINNER*


Apple Pie


The Competition
There were several people competing, but it was such a mob scene I was only able to taste a few...














The Scene:


Grilled Cheese Inspired Poetry Contests


Free Water, very necessary


The Crowds


Free Samples


Chef Ricardo Zarate in the Competition, who was just named Best New Chef by Food & Wine


Me with the Tillamook mascot

Brownie Nut Sundae

This Sundae from South Beverly Grill is so good! The problem is, I always eat so much for my meal there, that I usually don't have enough room for this. Anyway, it's so good. The brownie itself is served warm, it's super dense and topped with caramel and nuts. The vanilla bean ice cream is thick and creamy, and the caramel and creme garnish just completes the dish.

The Jewish Macaroon

While French Macarons come first in my book, the coconut kind, or Jewish Macaroon as I call them, are still amazing.



This one from La Provence (ol' faithful), is particularly great. Not only is it covered with fresh chocolate, but it's stuffed with a million chocolate chips. It was so soft and flavorful.

My Jelly Belly Cupcake Challenge

Jelly Belly is hosting a contest for best cupcake decorating ideas, so here is my entry:



First I baked a bunch of mini cupcakes and regular sizes cupcakes, made from Duncan Hines box mix.



We sorted the Jelly Bellys...



... and began to layout the design.



Three pounds of Jelly Bellys later, we completed the "UPcakes"

Please help us win by VOTING HERE!

A Log In is required, but it's super easy. Once you're in you can vote once a day!!