Mac & Wild in Fitzrovia wins National Burger Awards 2016
The winners of the National Burger Awards have been announced, with Joe Leckie of Mac & Wild in London's Fitzrovia picking up the top overall prize with the Venimoo burger, winning £1,000.
The Stock Burger Co in Brighton (pictured) won the contest's Signature Burger category with the Glenarm Shorthorn Ox Jus Burger, while Simon Xavier at Chiquito won the Technical Burger round, which asked competitors to use ingredients supplied to them on the day.
There were 16 finalists in total, including entries from Porky's BBQ, Café Football, All Star Lanes, and Joe's Southern Kitchen and Bar.
The burgers were created at the Islington Metal Works events venue in late February, in front of judges including Andy Bates, celebrity chef and presenter; Bob Granleese, food editor of the Guardian's Weekend magazine; and Neil Rankin, executive chef at Noble Inns.
The competition, hosted by the Casual Dining magazine, is just one of several contests highlighting the popularity of casual dining foods, including the Slider Decider at the Gun in London's Docklands, and the Sausage Roll Off in Barnes.
Full list of finalists
• Laura Samson, the Ferry Inn, Tudor Inns
• David Fernandez, the Stock Burger Co. Ox Jus Burger
• Trevor Tobin, Joe's Southern Kitchen and Bar
• David Mooney, Mockingbird Taproom, New Moon Company
• Sarah Widdison, Draft House
• Giovann Attard, Café Football
• Simon Xavier, Chiquito, the Restaurant Group
• Joe Leckie, Mac & Wild
• Greig Hughes, Googies
• Andrew Bond, Pretentious Burger Kitchen
• Ashley Clarke, All Star Lanes
• Simon Brigg, Porky's BBQ
• Jack Bull, the James Figg, Peach Pubs
• Gustavo Galvao, Belushis, Beds and Bars
• Simon Robinson, Huckleberry's American Diner
• Dave Mothersill, the Salt Room