• March 5, 2008

After a nationwide contest to determine the Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe, an entree inspired by Ivan Aviles, a 39-year-old manager at Chili's from Holtsville, N.Y., is being featured at over 600 T.G.I. Friday's restaurants.

Aviles' recipe was judged to be best in class by a panel of food experts on Food Network's "Ultimate Recipe Showdown," a six-week series featuring home cooks looking to win $25,000, culinary supremacy and a spot on T.G.I. Friday's menu.

The "ultimate" result: Chipotle Grilled Steak Sandwich--tender Cajun-rubbed skirt steak served on toasted ciabatta with a blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, roasted plantain slices, lettuce, tomato, onion & Chipotle mayo, served with crispy onion rings.

Food Network's "Ultimate Recipe Showdown," hosted by Marc Summers and Guy Fieri, features 54 original recipes, whittled down from thousands of submissions, divided into six categories--Burgers, Chicken, Comfort Food, Pasta, Cakes, and Cookies. Every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST/PST, nine finalists compete before a panel of judges.

--Nina M. Lentini