Build a Better Burger Contest Winners – 1991

To promote the 1991 contest, cookbook author and head judge James McNair was asked to edit the prizewinning recipes from the first cook-off, prepare and photograph them, and design a brochure for distribution in grocery stores throughout the participating states. To create the building theme, James commissioned an architectural blueprint of a burger for the brochure cover, positioned grilling tools in a carpenter’s box, and used various raw woods as backgrounds of the prizewinning to further emphasize the construction theme.

Festive red, white, and blue balloons and red-checkered tablecloths decorated the grounds of Sutter Home, where contestants and guests enjoyed a festive party along with the cook-off. The Judges quickly narrowed in on the lamb burgers grilled by Rob Chirico and served in warm pita pockets with a fresh herb sauce.

Selection

Entries were screened and twelve regional finalists were chosen by The Gold Group agency in Santa Monica, California.

Event Manager

Diana Schwam of The Gold Group

Winners

• Grand Prize: Robert Chirico, Greenfield , Massachusetts – Lamburgers à la Grecque with Cilantro-Mint Chutney
• First Prize: Debbie Russell, Colorado Springs, Colorado – Hazelnut-Crusted Lamb Burgers
• Second Prize: Caryl Welsh, Clarksville, Maryland – Italian Burgers with Confetti Salsa
• Third Prize: Dr . Helen Conwell, Fairhope, Alabama – Calypso Burgers
• Award for Creativity: Theodore Skiba, Tequesta, Florida – Three-Nut Turkey Burgers with Tropical Fruit Salsa

Other Finalists

• Karen Davis, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Tea-Smoked Ginger Sesame Burgers
• Monty Degenhardt, Indianapolis, Indiana – Tuna, Mint, and Wheatberry Burgers with Three-Citrus Salsa
• Margie Godwin, Greensboro, North Carolina – Stir-Fry Topped Burgers
• Janet Hill, Sacramento, California – Golden Salmon Burgers
• Carol Ann Islam, Corvallis, Oregon – Oriental Shrimp Burgers with Mushroom Relish Sauté
• Judith Mettlin, Snyder, New York – Hunan Chicken Burgers
• Julie Winter, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan – Third Coast Grilled Veal Burgers

Judges

James McNair, Cookbook author, Head Judge
Kathleen Buckley
Elaine Corn
Elaine Johnston
Harvey Steiman
Bob Trinchero
Bill Rice