Announcing the S.B. Sandwich Showdown

In anticipation of the February 22 Campbell Hall appearance of Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio (who happens to own a chain of ’wichcraft sandwich shops), UCSB Arts & Lectures, Whole Foods Market, and The Santa Barbara Independent are throwing a showdown to see who serves up the best sandwich in Santa Barbara. Two contestants will be professional sandwich slingers, but the third will be an amateur/home cook. Do you think you have what it takes to be that person?

The amateur battle of the S.B. Sandwich Showdown will be held live at Whole Food Market on Friday, February 3, 4-5 p.m., so if you serve up the best thing since sliced bread on sliced bread, enter by sending the following to georgeeats@independent.com by Friday, January 20, 5 p.m.: (1) a recipe for your favorite sandwich; (2) a testimonial from one person (not yourself) as to the tastiness and inventiveness of your creation; and (3) a short bio (remember, you cannot be in the food industry and take part). A panel of judges will then choose one non-pro to take on the pros on February 3 in the live sandwich-off.

The winner of the final contest — whether pro or amateur —will receive a Whole Foods Market shopping spree (value $250), a pair of tickets to see Colicchio at UCSB, the chance to meet him backstage after his talk (please, no “pack your ____ and go” jokes), and a copy of ’wichcraft (Colicchio’s acclaimed book on the art of sandwich-making). Plus a lot of bragging rights.