MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Chefs cooked up their best creations between two buns hoping to take home some hardware at this year’s Burger Bash, held as part of the 19th South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
The annual event is officially in high gear, and some big names flew in for the feast.
It was a burger lover’s paradise in Miami Beach, Friday night.
“This is our beef and brisket blend,” said chef Lisa Blasencia. “It has caramelized onions, queso frito, 305 sauce, plantain sticks with a plantain ketchup.”
Burger Bites is one of the most anticipated events of the five-day food festival, and beef lovers had their mouths full.
“Absolutely delicious. Super juicy. The pickles are amazing, nice crunch,” said Jessica Hirsch.
The queen of burgers, Rachael Ray, returned to host the event where vendors like last year’s winner, Pincho, and even Goya Foods were critiqued by judges and guests alike.
“The original idea was to invite the world’s greatest chefs, to put their talents on a bun, to make them more accessible to everyone,” said Ray. “I wish that our caucuses and our primaries were going as well as out burger bashes.”
Actress and Food Network star, Valerie Bertinelli, also lent her taste buds to the competition.
When asked what she thought would make the perfect burger, she responded: “Juicy. Must be juicy, and I want the bun to have a nice give to it. The bun shouldn’t get in the way of the burger.”
Artist Romero Britto shared some of his favorites when it comes to the perfect burger.
When asked if he was a double or single patty kind of a guy, he responded, “Double. Double. Like Double Whopper.”
He also shared that he would choose the Big Mac in a competition against a Whopper.
When it came time to award top honors, New York City’s Butter walked away with the coveted Heineken Light People’s Choice Award. Other honorees included Weston’s Kewpee Burger in Lansing, Michigan and Hugh Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop in Nashville.
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