Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/142283
Kathy Keithline's entry in the alternative burger competition was Smoky Sweet Salmon Sliders. seemed happy to see Bob and Evelyn Trinchero of Trinchero Family Estates, the parent company of Sutter Home, back under the big tent enjoying the burger competition with a couple hundred other lucky barbecue fans. The weather was perfect, the grills were hot and the competition was amazingly good-natured, especially considering the high-stakes prize. Sutter Home made a weekend of it for the ten finalists, flying them in from around the country to enjoy the California sunshine and the burger-appreciative palates. The competition features two divisions: In the Alternative Burger category, the patties may be made from any ground food (beef can be included but must measure less than 75% of the patty ingredients); the Beef Burger category features all-beef patties and its winner takes the grand prize. Not that the alternative contest didn't have its own healthy payout: Mark Richardson of Snohomish, Washington, the only guy in the group, won $15,000 for his Indian Lamb Burger, with the lamb taste accentuated with Indian spices and fresh aromatics. The burger also fea- tured a Tahini Pistachio Mayonnaise, that evened out the sharp edges of the spices. "It was absolutely wonderful," raved Jennifer Beckman, the 2011 Build a Better Burger contest winner, Mark Richardson of Snohomish, Washington, served his Indian Lamb Burgers to the judges. Mark Pyne and his Grilled Green Tomato Burgers. who returned this year as a judge. In the big event, Erin Evenson of Brooklyn, New York, won the grand prize with her 7 Train Caramelized Green Curry Burger, which featured a sweet and spicy green-curry glaze, pancetta, creamed minted basil aoli, roasted cashews and watercress salad. Three-time finalist Mark Pyne of Troy, Alabama and Kim Jones of Bloomington, Illinois, won the People's Choice award from those in attendance. Evenson was as charming as she was ecstatic with the win. "I have to give thanks to my boyfriend," she said, "because he never says anything I make sounds disgusting, he just says go ahead and make it." Judges, including lead judge James McNair, who has been officiating since the contest began in 1990, were especially taken with the way Evenson's burger combined the sweet and sour tastes of Southeast Asian cooking. All of the burger recipes from this year's contest, plus the wines they were paired with, can be seen online at the Sutter Home website at sutterhome.com. Gentleman (and gentlewomen), start your grilling! july 2013 / the tasting panel / 109 TP0713_100-148.indd 109 6/24/13 6:03 PM