During the 9th Annual Philadelphia Burger Brawl, attendees were able to eat, drink, be merry, and raise money to help Philadelphia’s schools.
By Denise Clay
The Philadelphia Burger Brawl is the kind of event tailor made for someone like Yvette Redd of Wayne.
Standing in the middle of the Marine Parade Grounds of the Philadelphia Navy Yard with a sample of The Ultimate Breakfast Burger from the Steam Pub restaurant in Southampton, Redd, who was there with her friends Trinette Ricks of Willingboro, New Jersey and Austin Lindsay of Norristown, was enjoying this version of one of her favorite foods at an event that she’s usually unable to get to.
“I love burgers,” Redd said. “I eat them all the time. I can eat them five days a week.”
On Sunday, about 3,900 people came to the Navy Yard to sample the wares of 50 of the area’s best hamburger joints and restaurants as part of the Philadelphia Burger Brawl, presented by Jim Beam.
The event, which is in its ninth year, is an example of what happens when a motivated parent uses his or her talents in service of children.
When Rob Wasserman went to see his son’s elementary school, he and his wife, Maggie had concerns.
“We walked around and we went into the computer lab,” he said. “It wasn’t what the kids needed.”
So he decided to help the best way he knew how, which as the owner of the Rouge restaurant on Rittenhouse Square involved the culinary arts. So the Burger Brawl was created.
And $283,000 and nine years later, more than 50 restauranteurs gathered at the Navy Yard battling for the right to be able to say that they have the best burger in the city.
“In all honesty, I’m grateful for the donation of time and effort that these chefs are giving to support the community,” Wasserman said.
So is the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, the charity that’s the recipient of the Burger Brawl’s largesse. Dr. William Hite, the superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia, Donna Frisby Greenwood, president and CEO of the Fund and Sheldon Bonovitz, board chair for the Fund.
“This money will allow us to do more for the schools,” Frisby Greenwood said.
In addition to the burger competition, there was also a Cutthroat Cocktail competition in which many of the restaurants sent bartenders to compete for cash and prizes by creating cocktails using Jim Beam.
Here are this year’s winners:
JUDGE’S CHOICE
More than 60 judges from the region selected the winners in this category:
1st Place
Judge’s Choice
Lucky’s Last Chance’s entry The Pickle Monster. This burger, which featured 2 1/4 lb beef patties, American Cheese, Pickles, Fried Pickles, Dill Potato Chips, Pickle Relish, Pickle Aioli, all stacked on a butter toaster Liscios pub roll, is the third burger in as many years to win here at the Burger Brawl.
2nd Place
Judge’s Choice
The Bercy’s Waygu Burger Boa – pickled cucumber, spicy aioli, pickled vegetables, beef waygu patty, sesame seeds & bao bun.
3rd Place
Judge’s Choice
Moonshine Philly’s ode to it’s location, The Pennsport – Crispy Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions, Basil Aioli, Arugula, Tomato Jam, Garlic Toasted Bun
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Each attendee was given a black and white poker chip when they arrived at the Burger Brawl to vote for their favorite burger. Here are this year’s winners:
1st Place
People’s Choice
Bainbridge Street Barrell House scored with the Home Grown: An 8 oz brisket burger blend, Green Meadow Farm horseradish cheddar, fig aioli, shredded lettuce, a plum shishito bacon jam and fried shallots. -the figs, plums and shishito peppers all home grown @FatGuyGardens garden.
Chef Eric Paraskevas was floored by the win.
“I’ve been trying to get into this event for years,” he said. “I knew that they gave us a chance, we’d win!”
2nd Place
People’s Choice
Hard Rock Café’s Guinness Burger (Sliders): Signature Steak-Burger Blend, Whiskey Bacon Jam with Guinness Cheese Sauce, Leaf Lettuce and Vine Ripe Tomato
3rd Place
People’s Choice
Lucky’s Last Chance’s The Pickle Monster
INSTAGRAM WORTHY WINNERS
“Instagrammers Choice” is a new feature in the competition this year. These awards go to the burgers that when put on Instagram will make folks want to say, “I’ve gotta have one of those!”.
The Most Photogenic – Moonshine Philly: Crispy Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions, Basil Aioli, Arugula, Tomato Jam, Garlic Toasted Bun
The Sauce Boss – Steam Pub: The Ultimate Breakfast Burger: 8oz. chuck burger, slow cooked candied chili bacon and american cheese in between french toast topped with a fried egg and maple syrup
The Best Stack – Bainbridge Street Barrell House’s Home Grown.
COCKTAIL WINNERS
1st Place
Twisted Tail
2nd Place
Ripplewood
3rd Place
Harper’s Garden
In addition to Jim Beam, sponsors for the 2019 Philadelphia Burger Brawl include The Navy Yard, Sysco Foods, the Beasley Radio Group (93.3 WMMR, 95.7 Ben FM, 102 WMGK, 97.5 Fanatic, WXTU), WSFS Bank, the Philadelphia International Airport, Visit Philly, Flyers Charity, Origlio Beverage, Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits, MultiFlow, Arway Linens, Pierce Phelps Elevate CBD, and Lending One.
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