GoUpstate.com
By DANIEL J. GROSS May 9, 2015 at 6:45 PM
http://www.goupstate.com/news/20150509/cribbs-kitchen-crowns-winner-of-burger-cook-off
The Spartanburg Breakfast Optimist Club’s winning burger recipe containing beef, lamb, bacon, a fried egg and a horseradish sauce was deemed the tastiest at the second annual burger cook-off on Saturday at Cribbs Kitchen. The burger gets its name from the fact that many barn animals are a part of the recipe.
The event, which involves attendees sampling original burgers from 12 different teams, raised money for The Children’s Security Blanket. The Spartanburg-based nonprofit has served more than 110 Spartanburg County families of children with cancer since its inception in 2006, executive director Laura Allen said.
“The awareness today, and the funds raised, will transform more lives … I’m speechless,” she said.
Sandy Fowler, of Spartanburg, said friends with the Optimist Club recruited him to cook their burger in the challenge.
“I just did it on the fly, which is the way I do everything,” Fowler said.
As the winning burger, The Barnyard soon will be placed on the Cribbs Kitchen menu for a one-year period.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited about something,” he said while getting his photo taken with the trophy that features flames and a spatula created by K Riley Designs, a Spartanburg-based wood and metal working company.
Miss South Carolina 2014 Lanie Hudson and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Landon Cohen were the event’s guest hosts.
The burgers were judged on a one to 10 scale for flavor, originality and presentation.
Other teams competing included RJ Rockers, Hub City Farmers’ Market, Wofford College and Motte & Sons Bootlegging, among others.
Guest judges included Spartanburg area business owners, elected officials and members of the media.
“This is the biggest sense of community and everyone has a hand in it,” said David Estling, Cribbs Kitchen general manager.
Taylor Correll, who is another Cribbs Kitchen manager, was the event’s planner and said he was pleased with the turnout and community involvement.
He said he already has selected the Children’s Security Blanket as the charity for next year’s cook-off.
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