Students have until Nov. 10, 2025, to enter the 2025 California Milk Advisory Board’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich Contest. Entries should feature innovative recipes submitted in two grilled cheese sandwich categories that highlight California cow’s milk cheese and butter. Two grand prize winners will receive $750 each and two runner-up winners will receive $500 each.
The goal is to showcase California dairy as the star ingredient in creative, commercially-viable foodservice dishes. The contest categories are:
- California Classic: Grilled cheese sandwich made with up to three California cow’s milk cheeses with no additional non-dairy ingredients.
- California Freestyle: Grilled cheese sandwich made with 1–3 California cow’s milk cheeses and any number of additional ingredients (vegetables, meats, sauces, etc.), as long as cheese remains at least 50% of the sandwich’s interior contents.
Send entry submissions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 11/10/25. Please note in subject line “CMAB Grilled Cheese Sandwich Student Contest.” Entry requires submission of the following:
- Completed entry form with a name, contact information, and professional or culinary school affiliation.
- Dish name.
- Primary ingredients (must include ALL dairy ingredients).
- Two photographs – one of the complete, cooked sandwich and one of a cross-section (cut to show layering).
- A complete recipe clearly showing how California cheese is the star of the dish. Recipes must include at least 50% cheese content inside the sandwich. Student chefs may submit up to two entries per category.
The contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older as of the time of entry and are enrolled in a secondary or postsecondary culinary program.
Click here for official rules and entry form.