To: freelyhovering who wrote (24826 ) 6/27/2001 5:28:10 PM From: Ben Wa Respond to of 29382 New Jersey Woman Finalist in White Castle Fastest Griddle Championship COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Rashmika Patel represented the New Jersey region in the 2001 White Castle Fastest Griddle Championship held June 26 at the White Castle home office at 555 West Goodale Street in Columbus, Ohio. Patel, an eleven-year veteran of White Castle, and the other ten competitors represent the best of the best when it comes to preparing White Castle hamburgers. These 11 participants earn their way to the finals by beating out the more than 10,000 White Castle team members eligible for the contest. Jason Long of St. Louis became the first White Castle team member to repeat as champion. This is the sixth year for the event, which awards employees in their efforts to serve customers in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Contestants were tested on the amount of time it took them to prepare and package 30 White Castle hamburgers. They received bonus deductions for quality, accuracy and neatness. Long earned a $500 prize and a customized plaque. Christina Dennis from Cincinnati captured second prize in the event, which includes a $300 check. Andy Gunderson from Columbus took home third prize and a $200 check. Contestants, one each from 11 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. The other contestants were Michelle Adam representing Chicago; Nayna Kalathia of Detroit; Tisha Graves of Indianapolis; Teresa Edmonson of Louisville; Jason Carter of Nashville; Robert Ferguson of Northeast Ohio; and Aimee Nagales of New York. Chris Sevlie earned the Minneapolis championship, but was unable to attend the finals in Columbus. The hamburgers prepared by the Fastest Griddle contestants were donated to the Hunger Network in Ohio. White Castle System, Inc. operates 347 restaurants in 12 states. The company opened its first location in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921, and is the original fast food hamburger chain. To learn more about White Castle, please visit the company website at www.whitecastle.com or www.whatyoucrave.com . Video press releases are available upon request.