White Castle(R) Crowns the World's Fastest Griddle Champ - Susan Childress from Louisville

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan Childress from Louisville was named today as the 2007 fastest griddler of White Castle. This is the second year in a row that Susan has won the competition. Regional champs from the 12 White Castle operating areas met to compete for the title of Fastest Griddle Champion -- the best of the best when it comes to preparing White Castle hamburgers. The contest took place at the White Castle home office at 555 West Goodale Street in Columbus, Ohio. All hamburgers prepared by the Fastest Griddle contestants were donated to Faith Mission in downtown Columbus.

This is the twelfth year for the event that recognizes the workers on the front lines in the Castles who serve customers the finest products, for the least cost, in the cleanest surroundings, with the most courteous personnel in the most efficient manner. Contestants are tested on the amount of time it takes them to prepare and package 30 White Castle hamburgers. Bonus points are awarded for quality, accuracy and neatness.

Each operating area holds a regional contest to select their top representative. This representative wins the right to travel to Columbus to compete against top contestants from the other regions. The home office also joins in on the fun by holding a separate event the day before the national competition to see if they have what it takes to fire up the griddle. This year's winner of the "555" contest was Shelly Music from White Castle's home office IS/IT Department.

This year's top winner, Susan Childress, was awarded a $700 prize and a customized plaque and certificate, as well as bragging rights as champion. Second place, Martha Brown, received $500 and a certificate. Third place, Nayna Kunjadia from Detroit, brings home $400 with her certificate.

This year's contestants were: Carol Gannon representing Chicago; Angela Jordan of Cincinnati; Martha Brown of Columbus; Nayna Kunjadia of Detroit; Maria Gentry of Indianapolis, Susan Childress of Louisville; Tim Clennon of Minneapolis; Derek Hargis of Nashville; Elizabeth Matatics of Northeast Ohio; Glenda Guce of New Jersey; Gina Liberta of New York; and Jenna Werner of St. Louis.

White Castle is based in Columbus, Ohio, and operates 403 restaurants in 11 states. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921 and was the first fast-food hamburger chain.