TORONTO, ONTARIO, MEDIA ADVISORY--(Marketwire - Aug. 28, 2008) - Downtown Toronto will be transformed into a huge backyard barbecue this Thursday as Rickard's looks to crown the city's best backyard griller. The event will also feature some of Toronto's finest in the ultimate grill-off between three Toronto fire stations.

Finalists will compete in an Iron Chef inspired grilling duel, housed in a specially created kitchen stadium. They'll have 45 minutes to prepare the ultimate grill plate that best showcases their grilling prowess, using dozens of different ingredients at their disposal. Final plates will be judged on taste, creativity, presentation and use of Rickard's in the final offering.

An esteemed panel of beer and grilling experts will judge the final event and determine a winner. The judging panel includes grill guru Phil Nyman, owner of Phil's Original BBQ Restaurant; Alexa Clark, editor and publisher of CheapEats Restaurant Guides; Mirella Amato, proprietor of Beerology.ca and certified beer judge; and Councillor Kyle Rae of Ward 27, Toronto Centre - Rosedale.

WHAT:

Rickard's Griller of Glory Competition

>> Round One kicks off at noon (Rickard's Griller of Glory contest semi-finalists)

>> Round Two begins at approximately 12:40 p.m. (Toronto firefighters)

Judging Panel includes:

- Phil Nyman, owner of Phil's Original BBQ Restaurant

- Councillor Kyle Rae of Ward 27, Toronto Centre - Rosedale

- Alexa Clark, owner and operator of CheapEats Restaurant Guides

- Mirella Amato, proprietor of Beerology.ca and certified beer judge

Photo / Interview Opportunities On-Site:

- Iron Chef-style grilling battle in kitchen stadium set-up

- Grilling demo by celebrated Toronto BBQ guru, Phil Nyman of Phil's Original BBQ Restaurant

- Three Toronto firefighters competing in special grill-off to benefit the Ontario Association of Food Banks

- Presentation of massive Griller of Glory trophy to honour Toronto's best griller

- Hundreds of hungry BBQ enthusiasts and fans