The Grilled Cheese Invitational (GCI) is the largest Grilled Cheese cooking contest in the country and is happening right here in Pasadena on April 28th! Get in the mood by driving by one of these restaurants with locations all over town, ready to slap a GC in your hungry hands.

The event was created by Tim Walker in 2003, in an artist loft in Downtown Los Angeles as a competition between friends and since then, has grown into a national movement dedicated to perfecting the art of grilled cheese, with thousands of cheese fiends and regional competitions across the country.

The Categories for competition are:

Love, American Style – White bread, butter, orange cheese (American or Cheddar).

The Missionary Position – Any type of bread, butter and cheese.

The Kama Sutra – A sandwich of the savory nature, with any type of bread, butter and cheese PLUS additional ingredients, and the interior ingredients must be at least 60% cheese.

The Honey Pot – Any kind of bread, any kind of butter, and any kind of cheese, and the interior ingredients of the sandwich must be at least 60% cheese, PLUS additional ingredients, and with an overall flavor that is sweet and would best be served as dessert.

When the Grilled Cheese Invitational is not happening you can find great grilled cheese sandwiches all over Los Angeles.