Uber chefs, take note. The Panera Bread Co. is putting a $10,000 bounty on the most creative new sandwich it can find.

The Missouri-based chain of nearly 1,600 bakery cafes said it is kicking off a Sandwich Showdown contest.

The winner will take home $10,000 cash, $500 worth of Panera gift cards, and free Panera Bread bagels for a year. Added bonus: The winner’s sandwich will be added to the menu for a limited time at participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes throughout the United States, the company said.

Now through October 6, folks can submit their original sandwich recipes online at www.TLC.com/Panera, where the contest’s rules are laid out, Panera said.

In sorting through entries, Panera said that sandwich recipes will be evaluated by such measures as creativity, taste appeal, and the story behind the sandwich. Also important is how easily a sandwich can be assembled during a busy lunch rush, Panera said.