White Castle to Crown New Griddle Champion

White Castle team members from 12 metropolitan areas will gather together on June 26 to determine the fastest to prepare, box and bag 30 White Castle hamburgers.

The champion of the Fastest Griddle Contest will be crowned at 12:15 p.m. on June 26. The contest will be held in a tent outside the corporate offices at 555 West Goodale Street in Columbus. Maryann Kelley, a White Castle board member and granddaughter of the company founder, and Marci Ingram, wife of the president and CEO of White Castle, will present the winner with a $500 prize. First and second runners-up will receive $300 and $200 prizes respectively.

Contestants, one each from 12 White Castle markets, competed against the team members in his or her market and came out on top to earn a trip to the finals in Columbus. Last year's winner, Jason Long from Saint Louis, has earned the right to defend his crown, and will attempt to become the first to repeat as champion.

This will be the sixth year for the annual event, which awards team members in their efforts to serve customers in the most efficient manner possible.