Sutter Home Marks 25th 'Better Burger' Contest
As it marks the 25th Anniversary of its "Build a Better Burger" recipe contest, St. Helena, Calif.-based Sutter Home Family Vineyards has revealed its 2014 competition finalists.
“Whichever food trend you embrace, the burger has long been one of America’s favorite meals,” says Wendy Nyberg, VP of marketing for Sutter Home. “We encourage everyday cooks to find inspiration from their favorite foods and regional influences. For the 2014 Sutter Home Build a Better Burger recipe contest, burgers will be judged on taste, creativity, ease of preparation, and availability of ingredients.”
The judging for the 2014 Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest is currently wrapping up and on May 14, five finalists’ recipes from around the country will compete for $25,000. Each of the 2014 finalists’ burgers will be prepared by Sutter Home’s culinary team and tasted by a panel of judges at its parent Trinchero Family Estates’ hospitality center in St. Helena.
The winning recipes and prizes will be announced on the Sutter Home Build a Better Burger website and Facebook page on or about May 25. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will take place on Sutterhome.com, beginning on April 1.
In addition to the $25,000 grand prize, $15,000 will be awarded to the first runner-up and $10,000 will go to the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Sutter Home first uncorked the wine industry’s first major recipe contest in 1990 with its Better Burger competition, which aims to help demystify the challenge of pairing wine with food and encourages everyday cooks to create their own recipes and pairings. For the past 25 years, more than 10,000 Sutter Home fans have submitted their original and creative recipes for a chance to win.
As the 2014 contest comes to a close, casual cooks around the nation will have the opportunity to enter the 2015 Sutter Home Build a Better Burger contest, which opens March 30 and runs through Sept. 8. Consumers can also participate in a Build a Better Burger text-to-win sweepstakes for the chance to win $25 grocery gift cards.
The five 2014 Build a Better Burger recipes and finalists competing for $25,000 include:
- Chorizo Beef Burgers with Orange Piquillo Relish and Smoky Tomato Aioli
Recipe by Priscilla Yee, Retired, Concord, Calif. Suggested
Wine Pairing: Sutter Home Zinfandel
- Après Ski Triple Ginger Bacon Burgers with Rosemary Onion Rings and Brie
Recipe by Jennifer Gentry, School Bus Driver, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Suggested Wine Pairing: Sutter Home Pinot Grigio
- Whistler Village Poutine Burgers with Peppered Bacon and Portabella Mushrooms
Recipe by Ann Elkin, Senior Engineering Project Manager, Farmington Hills, Mich.
Suggested Wine Pairing: Sutter Home Chardonnay
- The Heart and Soul of Korea Burgers with Peanut Basil Slaw and Gochujang Mayo
Recipe by Harrison Wheeler, Attorney, Boynton Beach, Fla.
Suggested Wine Pairing: Sutter Home Zinfandel
- Tidal Wave Butter Burgers with Lemon Caper Mayonnaise and Watercress Slaw
Recipe by Devon Delaney, Homemaker, Westport, Conn.
Suggested Wine Pairing: Sutter Home Chardonnay
Promotional partners of the 2014 Sutter Home Build a Better Burger recipe contest include Weber-Stephen Products LLC, Alexia Foods, Claussen Pickle, King’s Hawaiian, Pabst Brewing Company, PAM Cooking Spray and President cheeses.