Bacon Finalist in Papa John’s Pizza Contest…

I have no idea what’s going on in my former home state of Illinois (five year in Peoria yo!) but every day for the last week I’ve been getting a whole bunch of bacon news alerts on the Google machine from the HOI area.

Today, it’s news of Ms. Blair Dial of Springfield, excerpt courtesy of “The State Journal-Register“:

Blair Dial of Springfield — one of three national finalists in a create-your-own Papa John’s pizza contest — is hoping double bacon is her lucky charm.

In the “Papa John’s Specialty Pizza Challenge,” contestants told how they would create a new pizza from ingredients used in the pizza chain’s restaurants. More than 12,000 entries were whittled down to 10…

Her pizza, dubbed the “Big Bonanza,” has original crust, barbecue sauce, double bacon, ham, hamburger, fresh Roma tomato slices, onions, mozzarella cheese and jalapeno peppers. A 14-inch large size is selling locally for $10.

Along with the other two finalists, Dial’s pizza will be on Papa John’s menus through August 29. The one that sells best will earn a spot on the menu, and its creator will get 1 percent of the pizza’s profits for a year (up to $10,000), the chance to appear in a commercial for the company and free pizza for life ($480 gift card annually for 50 years = $24,000).

The competing pizzas are Cheesy Chicken Cordon Bleu from a Los Angeles contestant and The Workin’ Fire from a Ball Ground, Ga. entrant. The first has spinach Alfredo sauce, extra cheese, three-cheese blend, grilled chicken, ham and onions. The second has traditional sauce, parmesan and Romano cheeses, jalapenos, pepperoni and spicy Italian sausage.

Okay, personally I do not care for Papa John’s pizza. never have.  BUT just on principle I need to buy one of Ms. Dial’s pizzas.  I mean look at her competitors.  Can you really look at all three pies together and really think you’d choose the other two?  Let’s also not forget, SHE IS THE ONLY ONE TO PUT BACON ON HER PIZZA!!  And not just bacon but DOUBLE BACON!

So let’s all help Blair win.  Buy her za this month!

photo credit – David Spencer/The State Journal-Register

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