By Gregg Weisser

 

The 9th Annual, Kismet Burger Cook Off, took place on the Kismet beach at Seabay walk Saturday evening, June 18. Big appetites and some big "little" surprises.

 

 The neighbors of kismet all thru down some pretty serious competition.

 

Chef John B hosted the event and there was no shortage on creativity, there was a tie for the most creative burgers sharing the awards from "Beach and Vine" was the "de-constructed" "Fork it! Burger", a multiple layered "Burger in a cup" presented by Blue View Terrace.  Another World, Jenny Friedman, and housemates, came up with a Jimmy Buffet inspired "Cheeseburger in Paradise" slider including a shot of beer, a couple French fries and pickle, all with music accompaniment of Cheeseburger in Paradise. 

 

Other awards were, "Rookie of the Year" award and it went to the "Saltamboca Burger" by David Trevillion from Relaxation and Bobby Rutmeyer's. "Tuscany and lots of good wines" ingredients were veal, fennel, pancetta, sage, all coming together to make it one of the most up and coming flavor breakouts. The “five napkin award” went to Kathy Scallion from Lions Head with her messy but tasty "Cabeza De Lion Burger". She proudly accepted the award and then exclaimed "Yea! second year in a row" to receive this award, apparently she is also very consistent too.

 

One of the Main awards is best non-red meat Burger and it was won by three time Burger Champ Gregg Weiser with his "Duck Duck Goose Burger" and it was made of exactly that ground duck and goose liver Fois Gras.  His inspiration was "he just wanted to try it," and the fun in taking a risk and sharing with 100 of his close friends and neighbors was motivation.

 

Jane Weisser winner for Duck Duck Goose and Jack Berninzoni for Blue Moon Burger

 

The Best Burger award was the biggest little surprise of all. "Blue Moon Burger" Tenderloin, sirloin, wagu beef burgers, blue cheese, hickory smoked bacon, Fuji apple, honey mustard. The burger wasn't the surprise but the age of the cook was only 8 years old. Jack Berninzoni when asked which burger thought tasted the best, he voted for the Yellow house "Flamingo Burger" he said it was juicy and really good. but why didn't he vote for his own? Was he too high principled, not entirely "He doesn't like blue cheese, it's too stinky but adults were the ones voting and so I made it for them to vote for mine". He was prompted a bit more about who might have helped him, and Jack wanted to thank his mom for cutting the cheese, Robin Steinfeld and Chris Brawn from Cozy A, for helping him grill.  Everyone who was there were winners because what's better than getting friends together having burgers on the beach.