We have some exciting news to share with everyone!

We have invited Lucy Buffett, owner of LuLu’s at Homeport Marina restaurant, author of the Crazy Sista Cooking cookbook and Jimmy Buffett’s sister to be one of our judges at this year’s competition!

I have to admit, I got a copy of her cookbook and was very excited by the recipes inside. They look delish! And of course, she has her own special twist on a Cheeseburger in Paradise! Check out page 155 of her cookbook–she recommends bacon as a burger topping. I knew I would like her!

I have been thumbing through the recipes and watching a couple video clips of her in action, and I’m very excited that she will be joining us here in the Napa Valley in September because she looks like a ton of fun and I have very high expectations for some good feedback for our finalists during the competition. I’m telling you, while I haven’t actually met her in person, she just strikes me as someone you would totallywant to hang out with! Can’t wait to meet her in September!

*My apologies for the excessive use of the exclaimation point. I just re-read the post and realized that it was way over used. But I can’t help it. I’m excited and my third grade teacher told me that an exclaimation point conveys that through writing. We can blame her.

Happy spring Burger fans!

Ok, well almost Spring. Technically I’m 2 days early but that hasn’t stopped me from gettin’ the grill fired up.

Last night, I went to the grocery store and because all the tomatoes looked too delicious to turn down, I ended up getting all the ingredients to make the Tuscan Burgers Bruschetta from my Build a Better Burger cookbook (page 50 if you have already purchased yours.) I hadn’t tried that one yet but the picture in the cookbook sure did a good sell job on me!

One word for the burger: delicious. So so delicious.

That being said, I would like to officially welcome you to the 2008 Build a Better Burger season! The 2008 contest opens on April 15th, which is just around the corner, so I hope everyone has been practicing!

We have lotsa great things in store for this year’s contest. Of course, the rules are in place, so make sure to give those a thorough once-over. And we also have a FAQ page up so before to peruse that as well.

This year, we also have a chance for one lucky person to win 2 tickets to the 2008 cook-off! Always wanted to see what’s it’s all about in person? This year you could find yourself taste-testing what the judges get to taste. Check out details on that here.

So now that we’re off and running, keep perfecting those burger recipes for the contest…grill on!

We got some footage back from the contest…check out this video to see what you missed!

Build a Better Burger 2007 Highlight Reel

And the winner of the $50,000 is….

Karen Bernards with her Sweet-Hot Thai Burgers!!

Karen can celebrate tonight but she has an early morning tomorrow! She will head to the airport for her flight to New York City bright and early tomorrow morning…check her out on the Today Show on Monday morning!!!

We had some fabulous recipes this year. A BIG congrats to all of our finalists who made my summer burger-ific and whose creativity and recipes have been gracing my kitchen all grilling season.

For your viewing pleasure, here are some shots from the winner’s circle:

From BBB headquarters at Sutter Home Winery, this is the intrepid assistant, signing off. To take a nap.

 A BIG congrats to Rebecca Reece for her winning $10,000 alternative burger recipe!!

 

 

 

Oh Little Italy Sausage Burgers….you warm my heart!

So that whole idea about sneaking in…? Not so much.

I got booted.

But, the good news, is that I got a prime spot in the front for when they announce the winners!

I actually have a really nervous feeling right now and I’m not even on stage! I actually was kneeling in front of the stage, camera in hand, and grabbed some poor lady’s foot in anticipation.

Oops.

Karen Bernards is our final burger-chef of the day is meeting with our judges right now! Her Thai-themed burger has kettle chips in it, which is scoring big time with our judges. Points for creativity! The balance of flavors is really rockin’ their world…

My sentiments exactly.

Sit tight, I’m gonna try and weasle my way into the talley room to find out who wins. I make no promises tho. It’s harder to get in there than getting through airport security still wearing shoes and a belt.

In case all that burger goodness isn’t enough, let me introduce you to the cake.

Oh sweet chocolate heaven….

Lorie Roach presented her patty melt-style burger and the judges (many of whom happen to be super big fans of the patty melt) are very excited. And James McNair has announced that this is the first time a patty melt has made it into the contest, believe it or not!

I’m telling you guys, a twist on a classic is totally the way to go…

…but man I wanna eat it. Mostly because I do know what bacon is. Code for delicious.

Cynthia Ross is bringing her burgers to the judges now…