Cool temps can't stop the sizzle of fourth annual Best Memphis Burger Fest
Over 30 grill teams showcased their culinary and cocktail skills on an overcast Saturday at Tiger Lane in the hopes of being named Grand Champion of the 2015 Best Memphis Burger Fest. While all teams cheered for victory, they were more interested in giving back to a great cause.
An estimated crowd of 3,500 braved the breezy afternoon temperatures to cheer on teams comprised of both amateur grillers and professionals. Along with testing the official Bloody Mary, margarita and burger competition samples, onlookers participated in a pickle and slider eating contest, battled in a cornhole tournament and watched live music from four local acts.
"There were tough conditions," said event coordinator Nikki Thompson, "but we had a good size group come and enjoy all of the fun tents and food trucks, and a lot of that goes to a great nonprofit."
A large portion of ticket sales, team entry fees, and all team donations went directly to Memphis Paws, a local charity focused on rescuing cats and dogs and improving their quality of life, as well as supporting similar animal groups in the Mid-South.
According to their website, Seth Agranov and Tim James helped form Memphis Paws back in 2012 when they planned the first Burger Fest. Now, it has become an annual fundraiser for Memphis Paws, which has donated over $23,500 back to the animal care community.
Crowds swarmed the Pirates of the Grillibbean tent to see their impressive pyramid of trophies and sample their savory burgers, and team member Adam Millington smiled at the attention, knowing the end game.
"We are just a family who loves to cook and who loves to rescue animals," said Millington. "We give everything back to Memphis Paws and hope that we can encourage others to help them do what they are doing while feeding them and having a good time."
Each team had a similar message: Have fun and give back.
Every team shared another thing in common: dressing up food into wild presentations in order to make each drink and burger the star of the show for their judges.
Speaking of stars, celebrities such as MasterChef Junior winner Logan Guleff and pro wrestler Dustin Starr stopped by to support the event. Guleff judged the burger competition and snapped pictures with fans, while Starr promoted the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Mid-South Coliseum's 'Roundhouse Revival' event that took place Sunday.
With teams shivering in chilly anticipation around 5:30 p.m., judges handed in their slips and determined the winners for each category. While the University of Memphis' own Kemmons Wilson School took home first prize for Best Memphis Burger, the High Lonesome Smokers triumphed as the Grand Champions, taking home first place in Best Veggie Burger and Best Anything But Beef Burger, and accumulating the most points overall.
The winners received various cash prizes, and many teams donated percentages of those prizes directly back to Memphis Paws. Along with large checks and burger-crowned trophies, the top two teams overall and the Best Memphis Burger winner - High Lonesome Smokers, Pirates of the Grillibbean, and Kemmons Wilson School - won “golden ticket” entry to the 2015 World Food Championships in Kissimmee, Florida.
Bragging rights aside, winners and participants promoted the event's true purpose of supporting a local charity, and they encouraged anyone interested to join them next year for more meaty, cheesy goodness at Tiger Lane.
