Updated: Travelers Rest chef one step closer to $50K prize in nationwide contest

Local residents are invited to the Cafe at Williams Hardware on Wed., June 15 at 3:30 p.m. to join Halstead and Cafe owners, Joyce and Nancy McCarrell. A blank check will be presented from a General Mills' representative (with the final amount to be announced on June 22, see below). Guests will also be treated to samples of Halstead's recipe.

UPDATE (06/08/16):

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — Christina Halstead, the executive chef at the Cafe at Williams Hardware, has been named one of the top three contestants vying for a $50K prize package in General Mills Foodservice's 2nd Annual Neighborhood to Nation Recipe Contest, it was announced today.

The top winner will be announced at General Mills' headquarters in Minneapolis on June 22.

Halstead's entry — a BLT on pimento cheese buttermilk biscuit with red pepper jelly — is up against a waffled salmon with spicy orange maple sauce and a chocolate Snickers candy bar cookie pie.

The three finalists and their one-of-a-kind dishes will enjoy their time in the limelight during a trip to General Mills’ headquarters in Minneapolis on June 21-22, where they will be joined by celebrity chef Amanda Freitag of Food Network’s “Chopped” and “American Diner Revival” for a celebration and the official grand prize announcement.

The Neighborhood to Nation Recipe Contest was open to foodservice operators, chefs and line cooks who develop and prepare recipes for menu items served at independent, commercial restaurants, and asks them to submit an original recipe using at least one ingredient from General Mills’ list of eligible products. The grand prize recipe winner will receive $40,000 and a $10,000 donation for a local charity. The first place recipe winner will receive $15,000, and the second place recipe winner will receive $10,000.

ORIGINAL STORY (06/01/16):

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – A Travelers Rest chef is one of six contestants vying for a $50K prize package in General Mills Foodservice's 2nd Annual Neighborhood to Nation Recipe Contest, it was announced on Wednesday.

Christina Halstead, the executive chef at the Cafe at Williams Hardware, submitted a signature recipe – a BLT on pimento cheese buttermilk biscuit with red pepper jelly – in the nationwide contest and was chosen as a breakfast category finalist in the competition.

“Our judges were overwhelmed with the quality of recipes we received in this second year of Neighborhood to Nation,” said Melody Chang, senior associate channel manager of General Mills Foodservice. “These six category finalists truly brought their talent to the table with recipes that reflect their local flavors and are deserving of national attention.

The six finalists will be narrowed down to only three contestants on June 8, all of whom will then travel to General Mills’ headquarters in Minneapolis on June 21-22 for the official Grand Prize winner announcement.

The Neighborhood to Nation Recipe Contest was open to foodservice operators, chefs and line cooks who develop and prepare recipes for menu items served at independent, commercial restaurants, and asks them to submit an original recipe using at least one ingredient from General Mills’ list of eligible products. The grand prize recipe winner will receive $40,000 and a $10,000 donation for a local charity. The first place recipe winner will receive $15,000, and the second place recipe winner will receive $10,000.

For more information on Neighborhood to Nation, the finalists, the finale celebration and the announcement of the grand prize winner, please visit www.NeighborhoodtoNation.com.