What Exactly Does a $25,000 Burger Taste Like?
Tags: recipe, Build A Better Burger, contest, burger
According to our prestigious judges of the 2018 Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest, it tastes just like Julie Beckwith’s Peruvian-Inspired Burger with Green Sauce & Quick-Pickled Red Onions, which she paired perfectly, in more ways than one, with our Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc.
When we asked Julie what inspired her $25,000-winning homemade burger recipe, she was quick to share that her muse was a Peruvian chicken dish; she just loved its total spice blend.
“I just imagined how good a burger
would taste with some Latin flair.”
Julie Beckwith, 2018 grand prize winner
What does Julie think are the key ingredients to the judges awarding her recipe the $25,000? “Well, I grated an onion to a pulp, creating onion juice, tossed in some cilantro, a few other secret spices and used it to create a green sauce made with Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc and lime zest.”
Being that Julie was so sure that Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc was the perfect wine pairing for her recipe, we were curious which came first, the burger or the wine. She said the burger came first! “The citrus in my recipe paired well with the tasting notes of the Sutter Home Sauvignon Blanc.”
Turns out the judges thought so too. Congratulations Julie on being our 2018 $25,000 Grand-Prize winner of the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest.
America’s Top 5 Finalists: Crystal Schlueter, Jill Gilber, Julie Beckwith, Rebecka Evans and Tyler Norby
Our top five finalists also deserve a big high-five.
Here’s what inspired their burger recipes and wine pairings.
The Cherry Best Burger
Jill Gilber of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Cherry Best Burger | Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon
Q: What inspired your homemade burger recipe?
A: Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon was a huge influence because the notes on the palate are very forward with smooth, bold cherry flavor.
Q: If you had to choose one or two KEY ingredients that set your recipe apart from the other Build a Better Burger contestants what would they be?
A: I soaked cherries in the Cab. Made Cab ketchup. Reduced down with Cab for a sweet, smoky flavor.
Q: Did you first pair your burger recipe to wine, or the wine to your burger recipe?
A: Paired the burger to the wine.
Norse-Style Pork Sliders
Crystal Schlueter of Babbitt, Minnesota
Norse-Style Pork Sliders with Red Onion Mulled Wine Jam | Sutter Home Pinot Noir
Q: What inspired your homemade burger recipe?
A: Family’s Swedish meatball recipe. I also grew up in northeast Minnesota, every 2-3 years would visit my aunt and uncle and the home of the original slider (White Castle), wanted to rep that original slider.
Q: If you had to choose one or two KEY ingredients that set your recipe apart from the other Build a Better Burger contestants what would they be?
A: I used Goat’s cheese and cow’s milk cheese and made the red mulled wine with Sutter Home Pinot Noir, providing layers of freshness, richness and spice.
Q: Did you first pair your burger recipe to wine, or the wine to your burger recipe?
A: Started with the wine.
The Big Texan: Fried Green Tomato Burger
Rebecka Evans of Pearland, Texas
The Big Texan: Fried Green Tomato Burger | Sutter Home Pinot Grigio
Q: What inspired your homemade burger recipe?
A: My homemade burger recipe was inspired by a burger I made many years ago called the Big Texan. It’s called that because has a double patty burger and a bunch of Texas size toppings.
Q: If you had to choose one or two KEY ingredients that set your recipe apart from the other Build a Better Burger contestants what would they be?
A: I used straight sirloin (80/20). I also used lots of Texas-style fried foods like fried green tomatoes, fried onion strings plus big flavored sriracha-mayo.
Q: Did you first pair your burger recipe to wine, or the wine to your burger recipe?
A: Paired the burger to the wine. I wanted to use Pinot Grigio because its refreshing flavors are a great compliment to all the fried ingredients I used.
Red Rub Bacon Swiss Burger
Tyler Norby of Portland, Oregon
Red Rub Bacon Swiss Burger | Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon
Q: What inspired your homemade burger recipe?
A: For years I have been making burgers that have always been a little different, without a set recipe. My dad always told me “you can’t be the best at everything; go with your strengths.” So, with my wife’s help, I created 36 recipes and tested one by one until the recipe was finalized. The Red Rub Bacon Swiss Burger was born. Nickname, Big Red.
Q: If you had to choose one or two KEY ingredients that set your recipe apart from the other Build a Better Burger contestants what would they be?
A: The Foundation: Quality of beef. I believe it makes or breaks a burger. I also used a paprika-based “rub” that I discovered in my early 20s.
Q: Did you first pair your burger recipe to wine, or the wine to your burger recipe?
A: Burger came first.
2018, Judge panel
Meet Our Wonderful Panel of
Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Judges.
If your inquiring mind wants to know what some of our judges look for when deciding who should be awarded the $25,000 Grand Prize, you’ll definitely want to read what follows.
Chef Douglas Keane, Roadhouse 29 chef
Q: What “WOW” factor do you look for when determining which recipe should be the grand prize winner of the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest?
A: Look for moisture and juiciness, which comes from the beef fat component. 80/20 is normal but I typically enjoy more fat.
Q: What in your life experience has best prepared you for this moment of becoming a Build a Better Burger Judge?
A: I have eaten a lot of burgers. I have a burger joint and I was a contestant on Top Chef masters, where I got my butt kicked!
Lauren Katz, 27th Annual Build A Better Burger Cook-Off Winner
Q: What “WOW” factor do you look for when determining which recipe should be the grand prize winner of the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest?
A: Looking for something I’ve never tasted before: something creative, new, exciting and great tasting. I am also looking for the perfect bite: cooked well, has an interesting flavor and makes me want to eat it again and again.
Q: What in your life experience has best prepared you for this moment of becoming a Build a Better Burger Judge?
A: I have been there, from the side of the contestant; I know what they’re going through. I know their heart is racing. I was the Grand-Prize winner of 2017. One of the great experiences of my life.
Kevin Kolman, Weber Grill Master
Q: What “WOW” factor do you look for when determining which recipe should be the grand prize winner of the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest?
A: Before I taste a burger, I look over the recipe to see if they delivered what they intended to deliver.
I also want the recipe to provide an experience.
Q: What in your life experience has best prepared you for this moment of becoming a Build a Better Burger Judge?
A: I have been teaching BBQ classes in 15 different countries, across different cultures.
We were also fortunate enough to have both Karen Cakebread, the founder and owner of ZIATA wines and Casey Thompson, a Top Chef alumnus, as two of our panel judges.
