Pimento Cheese: A Staple At The Masters

The Masters Golf Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is known for its Pimento Cheese sandwiches. These sandwiches have become an iconic part of the event, reinforcing its strong ties to Southern tradition. They are typically served on soft, fluffy white bread with a creamy blend of sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos. The original recipe appeared in an old Tea Time at the Masters cookbook from the Junior League of Augusta, but the recipe has slightly varied over the years.

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The pimento cheese sandwich is an iconic symbol of Georgia's culinary heritage

The pimento cheese sandwich has become an iconic symbol of Georgia's culinary heritage, with its prominence at the annual Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta. This classic Southern staple, featuring a creamy blend of sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos, is sandwiched between two slices of soft white bread. Its deep-rooted association with Georgia and the Masters Tournament has solidified its status as a beloved symbol of the state's rich culinary traditions.

The Masters Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is renowned for its culinary offerings, particularly the famous pimento cheese sandwiches. These sandwiches, sold for a mere $1.50, are a favourite among spectators who enjoy them while watching the tournament. The original recipe, which originated from Augusta, has undergone slight variations over the years due to changes in food distribution services. However, the key ingredients remain the same, creating a unique flavour profile that has become synonymous with the event.

The pimento cheese sandwich is not just a delicious snack but also a symbol of Southern tradition and hospitality. Its presence at the Masters Tournament reinforces the event's strong ties to Southern culture and heritage. The sandwich's popularity has even led to the creation of copycat recipes, allowing people to recreate the iconic flavour in their own homes. These recipes aim to replicate the creamy texture and tangy taste of the pimento cheese, capturing the essence of the original sandwich.

The pimento cheese sandwich's journey at the Masters Tournament is also intriguing. Initially, the club sourced the pimento cheese from an outside vendor, but in 2012, they decided to bring the production in-house to maintain their health inspection record and fresh food offerings. This decision led to a slight variation in the recipe, as the club attempted to recreate the beloved flavour that generations of golf fans had come to love.

The pimento cheese sandwich has become an integral part of the Masters Tournament experience, and its association with Georgia's culinary heritage is undeniable. Its simplicity, affordability, and unique flavour have solidified its status as an iconic symbol of the state's rich culinary traditions, beloved by both locals and visitors alike.

The Masters Tournament is held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia

The sandwiches are made with a blend of sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos, spread between two slices of soft, fluffy white bread. The original recipe appeared in a cookbook called 'Tea Time at the Masters' by the Junior League of Augusta, but the recipe has changed slightly over the years. For instance, ESPN’s Wright Thompson noted in 2013 that the new Augusta National-made pimento cheese sandwiches had a different consistency and included more spice and mayonnaise.

The Pimento Cheese sandwich is a classic Southern staple and its prominence at the Masters Tournament has solidified its status as a beloved symbol of Georgia's culinary heritage. The sandwiches are prepared ahead of time and kept ready to be distributed to each concession stand. This ensures the white bread stays soft from the spread.

Pimento Cheese is also served in other forms at the tournament, such as with crackers, pita chips, or crostini as a spread, or as a sausage dip.

The pimento cheese sandwiches are sold for \$1.50 in thin, green wrappers

The Masters Golf Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is known for its Pimento Cheese sandwiches. These sandwiches are sold for $1.50 in thin, green wrappers, and the price hasn't changed since 2003. The tradition of affordable food at the tournament dates back decades, with Clifford Roberts, a former Augusta National chairman, writing in his 1976 history of the club, "We believe that one of the reasons the Masters is popular with patrons of the game is because they can obtain good food and drink at reasonable prices."

The Pimento Cheese sandwiches at the Masters are made with a simple, classic recipe, and are served on white bread, just like they are at Augusta. The recipe includes shredded cheese, softened cream cheese, and diced and drained pimentos. The sandwiches are a regional food that got their start in Georgia and the Carolinas as a quick and inexpensive way to feed textile mill workers. They are now considered a staple in southern refrigerators and are especially enjoyed in the spring and summer months.

The Pimento Cheese sandwiches at the Masters have become an institution, just as much as Amen Corner or the green jacket. They are sold in fairway-green plastic bags, and are a favourite among spectators who enjoy them while watching the tournament. The sandwiches are simple yet delicious, and have become a beloved part of the Masters experience.

The Masters' Pimento Cheese sandwiches are a perfect example of how good food doesn't have to be expensive. By offering these sandwiches at a reasonable price, the tournament organizers have created a lasting tradition that is loved and enjoyed by many.

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The original recipe can be found in an old Tea Time cookbook from Augusta

The Masters Golf Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is known for its Pimento Cheese sandwiches. The original recipe can be found in an old Tea Time cookbook from Augusta, though the recipe has changed slightly over the years. The sandwiches are traditionally served in thin, green wrappers, and they are a favourite among spectators, who can enjoy them for just $1.50.

The recipe is simple: combine cheeses, cream cheese, diced pimentos, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne powder. The spread is then placed on soft, fluffy white bread, and the sandwich is cut on the diagonal. The sandwiches can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator, which keeps the white bread soft.

In 2012, Augusta National chairman Billy Payne decided that the Masters was too high-profile an operation to chance using outside vendors, so the club took over the production of the sandwiches. However, they did not have the original recipe, which was held by the previous vendor, Godfrey. He offered to sell the recipe to the club in exchange for a couple of tournament badges, but they did not accept his offer, and so he took the recipe to the open market.

Godfrey connected with an online outfit called Goldbelly, which sells specific food made in specific places, and began selling his pimento cheese recipe under the name "Ted's Famous Augusta Pimento". The recipe is now available to anyone in the country, though it remains to be seen whether it will reach a wider audience.

The recipe includes a blend of sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos

The Masters Golf Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is famous for its Pimento Cheese sandwiches. The recipe includes a blend of sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos, spread between two slices of soft, fluffy white bread. The sandwiches are served in thin, green wrappers to spectators for just $1.50.

The Pimento Cheese sandwich has become an iconic part of the Masters Tournament, reinforcing its strong ties to Southern tradition. It is widely regarded as a culinary icon in Georgia, and its prominence at the annual event has solidified its status as a beloved symbol of the state's rich culinary heritage.

The original Masters pimento cheese recipe can be found in an old Tea Time at the Masters cookbook from the Junior League of Augusta. However, the recipe has slightly varied over the years as the food distribution services at the Masters have changed. For example, ESPN’s Wright Thompson noted in 2013 that the sandwiches now had "more spice, and some think there's more mayo. The consistency has changed, sometimes leaving soggy bread gummed up around a big blob of the spread."

Despite the variations, the key ingredients of sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and diced pimentos remain, creating a creamy, tangy blend that has become a traditional favourite among attendees of the Masters Tournament.

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