OCEANSIDE, CALIF. — In honor of National Salami Day, Sept. 7, Italian-style salami maker Olli Salumeria is launching the Salami Hall of Fame.

The Salami Hall of Fame is a digital celebration of foodservice operators, delicatessens and grocers around the United States that have elevated the status of salami through their specialty offerings.

"For National Salami Day, we wanted to have some fun while recognizing those who have helped popularize salami in this country," said Oliviero Colmignoli, founder and president of Olli Salumeria. "Introducing Americans to the versatility and taste of authentic slow-cured Italian salami is what we're all about at Olli, so our Salami Hall of Fame campaign is celebrating others who share our mission." 

The first five inductees into the Salami Hall of Fame include:

• Mona Lisa Italian Foods, San Diego – a landmark restaurant and deli in San Diego's "Little Italy" neighborhood that has been supplying salami and other Italian provisions as a wholesale and retail operation for 50 years.
• Domenico's Restaurant, Long Beach, Calif., one of the oldest continuously operated Italian restaurants in Los Angeles County, serving-up its original "ground pepperoni" pizza and other salami-based dishes since 1954.
• Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen – Chicago, a specialty grocer and deli popular with both locals and tourists that has been in business since 1972 and is known for its high-quality, traditional salami and Italian fare.
• DeLaurenti Food & Wine, Seattle – a pioneer in gourmet foods, serving up authentic Italian meats, cheeses and other charcuterie favorites at Pike Place Market since 1946.
• Tuscany at your Table, Atlanta – an authentic Italian deli and market specializing in prepared foods, wines, meats, cheeses and paninis, as well as a destination for traditional culinary experiences through cooking classes, prepared dishes, fine gourmet foods and guided tours of Italy.

In addition to the Salami Hall of Fame announcement, Olli Salumeria is holding a salami-based recipe contest open to the public. US residents can submit their salami recipe or unique serving concept through Sept. 13 for a chance to be named among the Hall of Famers. They will also receive an all-expenses paid trip for two to San Diego. The package includes airfare, hotel, transportation, dinner at an iconic Italian restaurant and a special guided tour of Olli Salumeria's facilities to learn the unique process of artisanal salami making.

To enter, participants can submit their recipe via a story or in-feed post on Facebook or Instagram, tagging Olli with #NSDOlliWeekGiveaway and/or #NSDOlliWeekGiveawayEntry or by sending a direct message of a screenshot to Olli.

The winner will be announced Sept. 17.

Olli added that it will offer several giveaways through Sept. 13 as well. Prizes include Olli salami along with products from partner brands, ranging from La Panzanella crackers and Scharffen Berger chocolate to a knife set from Platterful.

"We wanted to go big for National Salami Day and offer-up ways for salami lovers across the US to participate and even extend the celebration for an entire week," Colmignoli said.