Marine Mom Wins Sizzler®, Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries Salad Recipe Contest

Creation available on Sizzler salad bars nationwide

Mom’s winnings used to feed hungry Marines

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sizzler® celebrates the holiday season with the addition of a new salad, created by the winner of its first ever Great American Salad Showdown, co-sponsored by Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries. Cranberry Wonton Slaw, submitted by Mary Shivers of Ada, Okla., is being featured on participating Endless Salad Bars across the country through January 2.

“Chipotle Lime Black Bean Salad with Avocado and Cranberry.”

Shivers’ son, a United States Marine based at Twentynine Palms, Calif., is benefitting from his mother’s good fortune, as are his military friends. In addition to $1,000 cash, the winning recipe earned Shivers $600 in Sizzler gift cards – which she is sharing with her son. “He can’t wait to see my salad at Sizzler and brag to his buddies about his mom’s home cooking.”

Shivers’ inspiration for the recipe was fried Ramen noodles, but she had to improvise using only items found in Sizzler’s 150-item pantry. “You always want crunch in recipes,” Shivers added. She experimented with almonds, cabbage, dressing and pineapple for sweetness. Ocean Spray Craisins Dried Cranberries were a required ingredient. “You always want different textures and flavors.”

More than 1,800 people entered the Great American Salad Showdown. The top three recipes were selected based on taste, originality, appearance, clarity of preparation instructions and sustainability on the Salad Bar. A panel of judges, including Chef Nona Sivley, Season Eight winner of reality TV show “Hell’s Kitchen” with Chef Gordon Ramsey picked the winner.

Included with the prize package was a placard sporting Shivers’ name, recipe name and a note from Chef Nona. “I love it! It’s framed and hanging in my room.” In addition to the prize money and gift cards, the pre-kindergarten teacher at Lotta School received a set of Sizzler steak knives and a Sizzler chef’s coat.

Two finalists received $500, Sizzler steak knives and a chef’s coat. They are: Roberta Martin of Roseburg, Ore., for “Pear, Bacon and Feta Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette” and Jennifer Daskevich of Los Angeles for “Chipotle Lime Black Bean Salad with Avocado and Cranberry.”

Visit www.sizzler.com or www.facebook.com/sizzler for more information on Sizzler. Ocean Spray’s web site is www.oceanspray.com.