The Pig Mac served up with a side of Pigtails had North Okanagan eaters oinking for more.
Vernon's Cambium Cider Co. 鈥� with only a lamb burger on its menu 鈥� captured the fourth annual 2024 North Okanagan Community Life Society's Golden Burger Challenge, with the event's awards handed out Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Towne Theatre.
Competing against 11 other restaurants, Cambium's Pig Mac 鈥� a pork burger with apple-glazed pork belly, celeriac and apple slaw, applewood smoked cheese sauce, herb aioli served on a house-made poppy seed milk bun 鈥� won the Lake Country Casino gold trophy. The Pig Mac came served with a side of curly pigtails (potatoes).
The 12 local restaurants each brought a unique culinary flair to the competition with creative and mouth-watering burger entries.
"This year鈥檚 event raised substantial funds for the North Okanagan Community Life Society (NOCLS), an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in our community," said NOCLS fundraising and event coordinator Celenka Krawczyk.
"The Golden Burger Challenge is more than just a culinary competition 鈥� it鈥檚 an opportunity for the community to come together in support of NOCLS. The funds raised this year will contribute to various programs, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the resources, support, and opportunities they deserve."
The Okanagan Restoration silver trophy went to Diner On Six for its Godfather Burger, and the bronze trophy sponsored by Kal Containers was presented to The Roster Sports Club for its Buffalo Bills Crunch Smash Burger.
"Each restaurant delivered an incredible burger creation, bringing unique flavours, originality, and culinary skill to the competition," said Krawczyk. "We couldn鈥檛 be prouder of their contributions."
Other participants were Alexander's Beach Pub and Liquor Store; Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual; Bourbon Street Bar and Grill; Silverstar Brewing Company; The Kal; The Longhorn; Kelly O'Bryan's; Match Eatery and Public House; and The Winston (and a link to their creations can be found ).
The month-long challenge raised more than $30,000 for NOCLS.
Nearly 3,000 burgers were sold with partial proceeds from the sales of the challenge burgers going to the charity.
There were 2,900 community votes cast to determine the winning burgers in various categories.
The event garnered 8,000-plus impressions on social media, helping to get the word out about the challenge, and the message and mission of NOCLS.
Other awards handed out Tuesday included:
Super Secret Mystery Judge Award:
Winner : Match Eatery and Public House (Jalapeno Crunch Burger);
Service Award: Alexander's Beach Pub and Liquor Store (The Grazer);
Originality Award: Cambium;
Presentation Award: The Roster;
Creativity Award: Diner On 6
Yumminess Award: Match Eatery;
Celebrity Judge's Award: The Winston (Chorizo Truffle Smash Burger 鈥� Brent Butt is a Canadian comedian, and creator and star of the iconic Canadian TV show Corner Gas. He served as this year's celebrity judge);
Kal Tire Judges Award: Bourbon Street (The Turducken Burger);
FreshCo Most Burgers Sold: Alexander's.
Organizers look to aim even higher next year.
"The success of this year鈥檚 event has set a high standard, and we鈥檙e excited to build on this momentum in 2025," said Crawczyk. "With the continued support of local restaurants, sponsors, and the community, we鈥檙e confident that next year鈥檚 challenge will reach new heights in engagement, fundraising, and impact. Together, we can make an even bigger difference."
