Turn a family favourite recipe into Canada's next great donut: Tim Hortons Duelling Donuts contest starts today

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Jun 24, 2015, 05:00 ET

— Eight Canadians will get to pitch their family-recipe-inspired donuts to a celebrity panel of judges featuring deadmau5, Jann Arden and Sophie Tweed-Simmons for a chance to win $10,000 —

OAKVILLE, ON, June 24, 2015 /CNW/ - It's time to dig deep into your family culinary archives! The third annual Tim Hortons Duelling Donuts contest kicks off today with a new family-recipe inspired theme. Donut lovers across Canada can now design their own donut inspired by a family recipe at DuellingDonuts.ca, and eight lucky quarter-finalists will be chosen to present their donut creations to a panel of famous Canadians, including deadmau5, Jann Arden, and Sophie Tweed-Simmons. Canadians ultimately will vote on which two donuts will go head to head and be sold in Tim Hortons restaurants early in the new year, with the most popular donut taking home the $10,000 grand prize.

"Last year's contest produced some deliciously creative entries, and I can't wait to taste the donuts Canadians make this year. Family-recipe-inspired donuts should create some great donut duels," said returning judge, Jann Arden. "If last year was any indication, my fellow judges will soon know just how hard it is to pick the best four donuts – but I'm sure they'll enjoy getting there!"

Starting today until July 21, 2015, Canadians can visit DuellingDonuts.ca to create their donuts. At the end of the four-week submission period, eight donuts will be chosen to compete in the quarter-finals at Tim Hortons head office in Oakville, Ont., where contestants will present their donuts to the celebrity panel of judges, who will narrow the field down to four semifinalists. On August 19, 2015, Tim Hortons will open up the polls and ask Canadians to decide which two donuts they want to see sold in Tim Hortons restaurants. The finalists will be announced on September 1, 2015, and will be sold in Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada in early 2016, where the most popular donut among Tim Hortons guests will determine who takes home the $10,000 grand prize.

"Last year's contest, with almost 77,000 entries, proved yet again just how much Canadians love their donuts, and we think this year's Duelling Donuts contest will be our biggest and best yet," says David Clanachan, President & COO, Tim Hortons Canada. "This year, we're looking for inspiration from Canadians' kitchens, and to make it easier to bring unique recipes to life, entrants can now add their own ingredients to the list. We're looking forward to featuring our two finalist donuts in Tim Hortons restaurants for Canadians to vote on with their taste buds."

Last year's Duelling Donuts winning creation, titled "Love Reese to Pieces™ Donut," will be available in Tim Hortons restaurants for a limited time starting July 15, 2015. This chocolate donut, filled with a custard centre, is covered in chocolate fondant and topped with chopped peanuts and mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup candy.

Tim Hortons fans can share their donut favourites throughout the contest by joining the conversation on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/timhortons, or following on Twitter @TimHortons and Instagram @TimHortons and tagging their photos and comments with #DuellingDonuts.

Tim Hortons^®Overview
Tim Hortons, part of Restaurant Brands International, is one of North America's largest restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded as a single location in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. As of April 27, 2015, Tim Hortons had 4,724 system wide restaurants, including 3,773 in Canada, 892 in the United States and 59 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.

About Restaurant Brands International
Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with approximately $23 billion in system sales and over 19,000 restaurants in nearly 100 countries and U.S. territories. Restaurant Brands International owns two of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS® and BURGER KING®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees, and communities for over 50 years. To learn more about Restaurant Brands International, please visit the Company's website at www.rbi.com.

SOURCE Tim Hortons