The unveiling of the mystery ingredients—chicken breasts, bacon, dried cranberries and jalapeno-flavored potato chips—marked the start of the second annual Grumpy’s Sandwich Challenge held at Montgomery County Community College’s Pottstown Campus during the evening of Oct. 12.

MCCC’s Culinary Arts students had only 45 minutes to create the best-tasting sandwich using the mystery ingredients, as well as any pantry staples, including tomatoes, lettuce, onions, herbs, cheese and a variety of breads.

Within minutes, the aroma of bacon sizzling, and the chopping sounds of busy knives filled the air of South Hall, as the students got to work.

“The annual competition allows students to not only think quickly on their feet but being creative with ingredients and cooking techniques that they learned in the classroom,” said Karima Roepel, Director of the Hospitality Institute. 

Four teams of two students competed for the coveted prizes of earning a spot on Grumpy’s menu for a year, a free course at MCCC’s Hospitality Institute, a cash prize and culinary items from Grumpy’s. All participants received t-shirts, aprons and hats and the experience of cooking under the pressure of timed competition.

Sheila and Gene Dugan, the owners of Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches will donate $2 from each purchase of the winning sandwich at their restaurant during the next year to MCCC’s Pottstown Campus Excellence Fund.

As the clock ticked down, students made the finishing touches to their sandwiches, adding garnishes and sauces and carefully arranging them on the plates to impress the judges.

The winning team was The Yummy Tummys. After hugs and a few tears of joy, the winners decided they would name their winning sandwich, “Sweet Chick.”

Their culinary masterpiece is a jalapeño chip-crusted chicken breast topped with crispy bacon, pepper jack cheese, onion, lettuce and tomato and a sauce made of Dijon mustard, fig jam and dried cranberries. They served it on toasted ciabatta bread garnished with a pickle.

The community can meet the winning students and taste the “Sweet Chick” sandwich during Grumpy’s open house event on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6-8 PM.

For more information about MCCC’s Hospitality Institute and programs, visit Montgomery County Community College’s website.

Grumpy’s Sandwich Challenge in 2022.