Burger Bash 2013 Winners: Bobby Flay and Jeff Mauro
It was a just a matter of time until Michael Symon's three-time People's Choice-winning streak was broken. And no one wanted to claim that victory more than Bobby Flay. For years, Rachael Ray has said that Michael has taken the win, but with Bobby just a few short votes shy (sometimes just one or two).
Last year Bobby told FN Dish that he'd rather come in tenth place, than be second to Michael once more. "He only wins because of his laugh," Bobby jokingly told FN Dish last night. He continued to say that if he didn't win this year, he might just hang his hat up. No need for that. Even though Bobby was up against 33 other burgers, his Green Chile Burger, crunchified of course, was the ultimate combination of savory, salty and fatty.
What's the secret to this winning burger? "We let Michael Symon win three years in a row. This year we broke out the roasted poblano chiles. Game over everybody," proclaimed Bobby.
So how does one judge 34 burgers to find the one that truly stands out? "It has to be the perfect ratio of meat to cheese, bun to topping and texture to crunch," judge Anne Burrell shared with us. Other judges include Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Spike Mendelsohn, Jeffrey Chodorow and Andrew Zimmern.
But Bobby's winning burger wasn't the only great win of the night. Jeff Mauro, brand new to the Burger Bash competition, took home Judges' Favorite for his Greatest Patty Melt in the History of America. Many argued throughout the night whether the patty melt was truly a burger — and we're sure that debate will continue. But in the end, the judges deemed his griddled sirloin and short rib creation the best of the night.
As for the runners-up, Guy Fieri took third in People's Choice with a pressed chili cheeseburger - unlike anything Burger Bash had ever seen before (pictured left).
Michael Symon tied for second with New York City three-time winner Josh Capon for his French onion burger with caramelized onions, crispy onions, bacon, gruyere and horseradish cheese sauce.
The People’s Choice Award: Bobby Flay (Bobby's Burger Palace)
Green Chile Burger Crunchified: Beef burger with t sauce, green chile pickle relish and potato chips.
The Greatest Patty Melt in the History of America: Ground sirloin and short rib griddle burger topped with white American cheese and caramelized onions, nestled between two slices of buttered rye bread. Served with a side of deep-fried pickled jalapenos and 18,000 island dressing.
Heinz Best-Dressed Burger Award: Quality Meats for their Bacon & Blue Dry-Aged Burger