This is from last week but it just came across my desk. Seems the winner of the Foodnetwork’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown the other week was a manager from a Chilis restaurant. Ok, big deal you say? Well it becomes complicated when you remember that Showdown winners get their meals turned into TGI Friday’s menu items. Uh-hah. So who got the upper hand and who got the bitch slap, you must be wondering? According to Chilis in what has got be one of the coolest guerilla marketing tactics I’ve seen in quite some time, they say they’re the winner.

According to the statement:

We were pleased to see a Chili’s team member recognized by the Food Network for his culinary expertise and to see Ivan’s recipe incorporated into the menu of one of our industry peers. As the old adage goes: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery — and we’re extremely flattered!” said Dana Tilley, vice president of food and beverage innovation for Chili’s Grill & Bar.

Woooo! And the slap-talk winner with no competition is Chilis!

{12 Mar 2008}