So what do you think would be in the world's best sandwich?

The Australasian Sandwich Association (ASA), Australia’s café and sandwich bar industry association, in mid-October, 2011, congratulated Matt Wilkinson, co-owner of Pope Joan in Melbourne on winning the title of World’s Best Sandwich at the 2011 World Sandwichship, held at the Sydney Opera House.

The winner clinched the title with his ham and three tomato pickle toasted sandwich with Welsh Rarebit Fondue; and a Cuban-style quesadilla wrap with pulled pork, cheese kasandi, pickled carrot, cornichons and grain mustard mayo, beating competitors from South Africa, the US and the UK.

About the Australasian Sandwich Association: The ASA is a membership-based industry organisation which offers a platform of key services and resources, aimed at bringing the café and sandwich sectors together. The ASA’s core objective is to promote and celebrate the sandwich sector and industry throughout Australasia. The ASA focuses on industry issues and liaises with government and other regulatory bodies in order to achieve the most desired outcome for the café and sandwich industry as a whole.

It is estimated around 810 million sandwiches were sold in foodservice businesses in the past year in this country. Let's hope at least some of them were as tasty (and made with as much attention and care) as Chef Wilkinson's!