It was Memorial Day Weekend. The unofficial start of summertime weather in LaLa Land. While most people are getting their bikini bodies in final preparations to hit the beaches I thought it more appropriate to be a judge in a burger contest. Seems logical right? I mean, my wife already accepts me in all of my dad bod glory. Why not get in one last excuse to try NINE “secret” burgers for Saturday lunch.
The Secret Burger Showdown was put on in conjunction with the LA Food Bowl, a month long and 2nd annual foodie extravaganza coordinated by the LA Times. The LA Food Bowl celebrates the outstanding food that we Angelenos tend to take for granted. We have access to some of the most important ingredients to outstanding, unique and exciting food: world renowned chefs, the perfect climate to support locally grown produce and… celebrities! One of the over 200 hosted foodie events was the Secret Burger Showdown was on May 26 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Gracefully hosted by the folks at Off The Menu Club and Postmates benefitting No Kid Hungry & Feeding America.
Here’s how it worked, 9 burgerists from all corners of the city collaborated with a special celebrity to come up with a first time tasted, over the top burger that would win them the ever so coveted Championship Trophy, complete with a triple stack burger topping to the 3 foot tall trophy.
Here’s how the teams matched up: Actress Shay Mitchell collaborated with Wolf restaurant owner and executive chef Marcel Vigneron to create the Bougie Burg, a veggie patty with white cheddar, bacon-onion schmutz and truffle mayo.
The rockers at Grill’EmAll in Alhambra collabbed with rocker Tommy Lee to come up with a very unexpected Greek inspired sandwich complete with tzatziki, cucumber, tomato salad on a ciabatta roll.
In the most inspirational department Cassell’s in K-town joined forces with LA Times food editor, Jenn Harris, to create a Thai burger. As a tribute to late chef Tui Sungkamee from legendary Jitlada they curated a burger topped with a Thai peanut slaw and served lettuce wrap style.
Other pairings included model Charlotte McKinney with Chef Aaron May from Malibu Burger Co., Phil Rosenthal with Badmaash,
YouTuber Timothy Delaghetto with Button Mash, across Alexa Losey and social media chef Josh Shelkin with Top Round, who had my favorite entry: the drool worthy Wizz with Pastrami Burger.
But none of them could compete with DJ Marshmello and the crew at Plan Check. The beat expert put down his turntables and picked up the mixing bowls to put a cool twist on the already famous PCB burger. Plan Check is already known for their ketchup leather (basically a tomato fruit rollup)“condiment”. So what better way to put Marshmello’s stamp on the patty than by adding charcoal dust to the leather, turn it black and mirror the DJs signature double X and eerily grinning smile. Combo that with truffle cheese, housemate pickles and sweated onions and you’ve got a WINNER! And for extra credit there was a chocolate shake on the side, complete with actual marshmallows floating on top to help wash it all down.
The Secret Burger Showdown was a ton of fun in the sun for all in attendance. Everyone was a winner with so many unique burgers to try. Now on to the next showdown…. Between me and my treadmill!
Article Guest Written by Blake Pick from Restaurant Hop LA. Check out their instagram feed for many Drool Worthy foodie photos.
