Burger Throwdown winner revealed

Kyle Horst, a senior journalism major, devoured the competition to win the first Patriot Burger Throwdown contest sponsored by the University’s dining service.

Shannon Mariani, director of dining services, said Horst’s winning burger creation is planned to appear on the menu at the Grille Works some time this week.

Students entered their Patriot-burger recipes either by e-mail or online survey.

Dining services members selected and prepared the top three entries last Wednesday, which were judged by a panel comprised of Gregg Lassen, vice president for business affairs, Amy Whitehouse, president of the Student Government Association, and Mariani.

The panel members taste tested each entry and based their critiques on taste and appearance.

Horst’s winning burger featured an onion bun, chipotle mayonnaise, sautéed onions, peppercorn-encrusted meat patty, pepper Jack cheese, sautéed poblano peppers, guacamole and shredded romaine lettuce.

“I love the poblano pepper,” Lassen said in-between bites. “Poblano peppers are one of my favorite foods at Mexican restaurants. I’ve never had it on a burger before, but this thing is awesome!”

Horst said his working in restaurants for the past six years has given him a good cooking background.

He said he started experimenting with burger combinations when he cooked at Red Robin restaurant.

“My dad and I are hamburger connoisseurs,” he said.

“We’re always looking for the best burger we can find.”

The judges gave second place to sophomore Ciera Ward’s burger, which consisted of a corn-dusted Kaiser roll, American and Monterey Jack cheese, fried onion straws, ranch sauce and chipotle mayonnaise.

“It was the flavor between the fried onions and the Kaiser roll that really set this burger off,” Mariani said. “Those onion straws really give it a kick.”

The judges gave third place to sophomore Hillary Woods’ burger creation, which featured a sesame-seed bun, American, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, mushrooms, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon and barbecue sauce.

“It’s so pretty, but it’s going to go everywhere,” Whitehouse said.

“This burger definitely had the best look and presentation.”

Horst won $100 in campus dining dollars and three free burgers each week for the rest of the semester.

Ward’s second-place winnings are $50 in campus dining dollars and one free burger each week for the rest of the semester.

Woods’ third-place winning are one burger each week for the remainder of the semester.