Ultimate Recipe Showdown

Food Network searched for the Ultimate Comfort Food recipe. After a nationwide recipe contest, nine finalists competed in three rounds: Chili, Mac and Cheese and Sandwiches. A panel of food experts determined whose comfort food dish was the best. See who walks away the winner of $25,000!

COMPETITORS: Chili Peg Schaefer Recipe: Mexitana Ancho-Lamb Chili Hometown: Bozeman, Mo. Ray Isacsson -- Winner! Recipe: Spanish Influenced Chili with Collard Wrapped Pork, Chorizo and Sweet and Smoky Paprikas Hometown: Danbury, Conn. Anne Tegtmeier Recipe: Ultimate Veggie Chili Mac and Cheese Autumn Clements Recipe: Black and Tan Irish Mac and Cheddar Hometown: Amelia Island, Fla. Brett Greenberg -- Winner Recipe: French Onion "Soup" Mac and Cheese Jenny Flake Recipe: Pepita Crusted Cheddar Jack Southwest Chicken Mac Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz. Sandwich Ivan Aviles -- COMFORT FOODS GRAND PRIZE WINNER! Recipe: Boricua Plantain Sandwich Hometown: Holtsville, N.Y. Anna Georgantonis-Keah Recipe: Squash Sandwiches Hometown: Austin, Texas Michael Giletto Recipe: Germany's Version of the "South Philly Cheese Steak with a Twist" Hometown: Mickleton, N.J.