Congrats to the 2026 Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Grand Prize Winner!

Meet Clark Neal from Sautee Nacoochee, GA, the 2026 Grand Prize Winner of Sutter Home’s 37th annual Build a Better Burger contest. By day, Clark is stirring up new ideas as a recipe developer, content creator, and co-owner of a small-batch preserves company. Nestled in the beautiful Northeast Georgia mountains, he’s become known as “The Pot Stirrer” because he simply can’t stay out of the kitchen for long. When he’s not dreaming up bold flavor combinations or experimenting with unique ingredients, you’ll find him spending time with his wife and dogs, or giving back to his community through the local trail system he helped plan, build, and maintain. A seasoned competitive cooking enthusiast who’s competed at the World Food Championships and numerous regional events, Clark is always ready for the next culinary challenge. That passion paid off in Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger competition! We asked Clark about the inspiration behind his winning burger and wine pairing, plus the best burger he’s ever had. Check out what he had to say below!

Recipe Link: The Smokey Firebird Burger

Pairs With: Pinot Grigio

1. What inspired your burger?

I set out to create an extraordinary turkey burger infused with the bold flavor of warm southwestern spices.

2. What inspired your homemade burger and wine pairing?

Sutter Home’s Pinot Grigio is a wonderful counterpoint to this southwestern fusion burger where fire and freshness collide.

3. If you had to choose one or two key ingredients that set your recipe apart from the BBB contestants, what would they be.

The smoky, spicy chipotle peppers add depth of flavor and heat that builds as you eat this burger. The Pico de Gallo adds freshness and acidity to round out this flavor powerhouse.

4. Did you first pair your burger recipe to wine or the wine to your burger recipe?

I knew immediately that my wine of choice was Sutter Home Pinot Grigio. I created my recipe to compliment the flavor profile of the wine

5. Can you remember where you had the best burger ever? If so, does your recipe now beat that memory?

My best burger memory was a Wagyu bacon cheeseburger at Flavor Rich Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. I feel my Smokey Firebird Burger easily wins that competition because my recipe will now always be tied to my time at Sutter Home Winery and the memories created in the BBB competition.