Panera Bread's first ever Sandwich Showdown contest is coming to the bakery-cafe in Natick! Think you have what it takes to craft a legendary sandwich recipe? Submit your idea online starting September 12 through October 6, 2012 at www.TLC.com/Panera (site goes live on Sept. 12).  Panera Bread will decide which sandwich is the best in the U.S. The winner receives a grand prize of $10,000, free bagels for a year, a $500 Panera Bread gift certificate and a featured placement on the Panera Bread menu in January.

After all entries are submitted, the top 20 sandwich ideas will be selected. The top four runners-up will each receive $1,000 in cash and a $150 Panera Bread gift card. The 15 remaining finalists will each win a $150 Panera Bread gift card. To build the perfect sandwich, link towww.TLC.com/Panera  starting September 12 and get a list of Panera’s toppings and ingredients that can be combined with Panera’s artisan breads, then use the interactive tool to assemble and submit your gourmet creation.

During the month of January of 2013, a portion of proceeds from the sale of each winning sandwich will be donated to a non-profit organization.