Somebody, somewhere, declared April 12 National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, which seems like a reasonable excuse to celebrate one of the best sandwiches going. This year though, that date will be tinged with sadness, since it is also the swan song for L.A.'s own Grilled Cheese Invitational. Like last year, it will be at Los Angeles Center Studios from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tickets, now on sale, start at $25. 

After a long and effulgent run, founder Tim Walker, the Grilled Cheese King, has decided this is the final year for bread-butter-cheese-victory.  But don't panic just yet, there's still time to sign up to compete, judge, volunteer or just attend – and gorge at – the ultimate cheese-fest. 

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This year the categories will include the usual four, plus a very special finale group. The customary entries can be for Love American Style, which is just plain American or cheddar cheese and white bread; The Honey Pot, a dessert sandwich; The Kama Sutra, in which anything goes as long as the sandwich is 60% cheese; and The Missionary Position, in any cheese and any bread. 

The additional Grand Crown will allow all past winners to compete against each other. In the professional category, that means The Grilled Cheese Truck is going to have very limited competition, having won as amateurs (which led to launching the much-loved truck ) and then multiple times since pros were allowed to enter. 

What began in 2003 as a light-hearted home competition has grown to include hundreds of hopeful competitors, dozens of vendors, a motley assortment of entertainment, prizes, fun and thousands of attendees.

You will not want to miss this event so get your tickets (or sign up to compete) now, because according to them (and history) grilled cheese's big day will most certainly sell out.

The following day, April 13, is National Peach Cobbler day, so if you miss out, there's always that to soothe you. 

Rachael Narins has eaten a lot of grilled cheese in her time. You can follow her on Twitter @chickswknives. Want more Squid Ink? Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

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