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There's a right way and a wrong way to make a grilled cheese sandwich. And the correct method — complete with American cheese, bread buttered on both sides and toasted to perfection — is worthy of a following that's just about as unhealthy as the sandwich itself, according to Silver Spring resident Ernie Soffronoff.

Soffronoff, the self-declared "King of Cheese," has a strong philosophical stance on the kind of ingredients that should go into a grilled cheese. In recent weeks, the Evans Parkway resident has become somewhat of a public advocate for the cause.

After what he claims was the result of "one too many cocktails," Soffronoff has started the first-ever recorded Suburban Maryland Competitive Cheese Grilling Association.

The idea came about while Soffronoff was arguing with his college mate, Virginia resident Sandy Glick, about Glick's tendency to use caramelized onions (the nerve!) and aged provolone to make the famous sandwich.

A quick Google search confirmed Soffronoff wasn't the only one claiming to have the grill cheese recipe for success.

Turns out a group in Los Angeles actually held its sixth-annual grilled cheese invitational Saturday. It was filled to capacity with competitors and judges, according to the group's Web site. Another competition was held the same day in San Francisco.

"Oh my god, there's other people out there who feel the same way," Soffronoff said.

But one important question had to be raised: Where were all the suburban Maryland grilled cheese chefs?

Soffronoff set out to find them, cooking up an elaborate tongue-in-cheek Web site, complete with podcasts (really just of his favorite music), a countdown to the competition (actually his baby's due date) and official SMCCGA merchandise (priced too high and too ridiculous for anyone to actually buy anything, he said).

Ever the purist, Soffronoff maintains there's only one way and four ingredients to make the sandwich—bread, butter, cheese and salt. But in the spirit of the California competitions, his Web site has four entry categories that are based on how elaborate the sandwich is.

Spreading the news among neighborhood listservs and at parties has warranted a mixed response, Soffronoff said.

He figures it's because most people can't tell if he's kidding or not. Heck, even Soffronoff can't tell.

"It's somewhere between a joke and righteous indignation about what some people will put on a grilled cheese sandwich," he wrote on the listerv.

Since creating the Web site, the "King of Cheese" can't deny people look at him a little strangely.

"I suspect that his wife is laughing at him," said his friend, Glick.

For now, laughs are all Soffronoff said he hopes to get out of the SMCCGA. To start up a competition, he'll need to find at least one person brave enough to take him on, he said.

"I would love to do a competition, but I don't see it happening any time soon," he said.

Any takers?