Meet the Top Five 2025 Build a Better Burger Finalists!
For the 35th Anniversary of Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger contest, the competition was fierce! All 5 burgers in the finalist cook-off competition held at the Sutter Home Inn and Tasting Room on October 3, 2025 in Napa, California, were standouts. Let’s meet the top 5 finalists and see the recipes that made their mark on our grills!
WINNER!
Stephen Lukasik | Livonia, MI
The Motor City Maple Bacon Crunch Burger
Wine Pairing: White Zinfandel
Stephen’s Motor City Maple Bacon Crunch Burger is a bold, hearty creation that layers smoky applewood bacon glazed with maple syrup, juicy cheddar-stuffed beef patties, and a golden brioche bun brushed with maple butter. It balances savory, sweet, and it’s a burger that captures Michigan’s inventive and robust spirit.
When asked about his burger Stephen said: My Motor City Maple Bacon Crunch Burger was inspired by Detroit – where I live – a hardworking town known for its hearty comfort foods like deep dish Detroit-style pizza, big coney dogs, and deli sandwiches piled high with meats and cheeses. I wanted my burger to channel those same qualities, so I loaded it up with maple-glazed bacon, sharp cheddar, and plenty of crunch from pickles and crispy fried onions. I was inspired to create a burger that matches both the comfort and creativity of Detroit’s food scene while also highlighting the refreshing qualities of Sutter Home’s White Zinfandel. The burger’s maple glazed bacon, melted cheddar and bread and butter pickles bring sweet and creamy elements which complement White Zinfandel’s light, fruity notes with a hint of sweetness. The wine’s crisp, clean finish also helps balance the richness of the burger.
SECOND PLACE
Blanca Ibarra | Woodland, CA
All Grilled Peach and Gouda Burger
Wine Pairing: Pinot Grigio
Blanca’s All Grilled Peach and Gouda Burger is a smoky-sweet summer delight, pairing juicy beef patties topped with melted gouda and charred peaches for a burst of caramelized flavor. It’s a perfectly balanced burger that blends savory, sweet, and tangy notes in every bite.
When asked about her recipe: My dad’s peach tree inspired the recipe. We were grilling burgers for his birthday, and the peaches on his tree were perfectly ripe. That moment sparked the idea- it all started from there. Peaches feel so distinctly Californian to me, and it’s a perfect match to a California wine. I chose the Sutter Home Pinot Grigio because its crisp, refreshing notes balance the smokiness of the grill and the sweetness of the peaches beautifully.
THIRD PLACE
Abigail Argersinger | Cedar Creek, TX
Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc
Abigail Argersinger’s Conchintia Burger is a bold and flavorful tribute to the rich culinary traditions of Mexico, specifically inspired by cochinita pibil. Featuring a juicy ground pork patty infused with achiote paste, fresh lime, and sweet corn, the burger captures the earthy, citrusy depth of the classic dish. The result is a beautifully balanced burger—smoky, tangy, and rich
When asked about her recipe: My burger is inspired by one of our favorite dishes in Mexico – cochinita pibil – which is a slow roasted pork with achiote and sour orange, typically served with pickled onions and corn tortillas. I took those flavors and worked them into an accessible burger format with (I think) great results! My burger has a lot of super punchy flavors that call for a cool headed partner … Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect foil.
Finalist
Teresa Cardin | Pyatt, AR
Sweet Chili Thai-Inspired Burger
Wine Pairing: Pinot Grigio
Teresa Cardin’s Sweet Chili Thai-Inspired Burger is just as the name describes: a Thai-inspired creation designed with bold, contrasting flavors and textures in mind. Balancing sweet, savory, spicy, and fresh elements, this burger delivers a flavorful twist that pays homage to classic Thai cuisine.
When asked about her burger, Teresa said: The inspiration for my burger was my husband’s love of Asian food, especially Asian peanut sauce. That was the starting point for what became this recipe. I paired this burger with Sutter Home Pinot Grigio because it’s a semi-sweet, refreshing wine. I find burgers to be really “heavy,” just like steak. And this particular burger also has an Asian tang with just a little heat, so it can be all the heavier. Sutter Home Pinot Grigio does a great job of lightening it up.
Finalist
Suzanne Pherigo | Loveland, CO
Wine Pairing: Pink Moscato
Suzanne’s Jungle Burger is a fiery-sweet creation that blends smoky spice-rubbed beef patties with the heat of roasted jalapeños, the tang of lime, and the sweetness of grilled pineapple. Perfectly paired with Sutter Home Pink Moscato, it’s a vibrant summer burger with layers of bold, refreshing flavor.
When asked about Suzanne’s burger she said: I enjoy taking flavors from restaurant meals and using them in my own creations. Believe it or not, for this burger, I started with a pizza. One of the local pizza joints serves a pizza with pineapple, jalapeno and cream cheese. I love how the cream cheese compliments the sweet-hot flavors of the pineapple and jalapeno and knew the combination would work well on a burger. So, I started there and ended up with the Jungle Burger. I favor sweet wines and there are several good Sutter Home choices that could work well with this burger. The Pink Moscato is a winner because it really compliments both the sweet and hot flavors. I like the lower alcohol content, too, which allows you to enjoy a couple of glasses along with your burger.
This year’s Build a Better Burger finalist burgers really challenged the judges and delighted the taste buds! If you’re looking for even more inspiration behind your next great burger, head on over to BurgerBase.com to browse over 10,000 burger recipes and wine pairings.
That’s a wrap for this year; we’ll see you in 2026 for another round of fantastic burgers!
