Annapolis Valley Restaurants Kick Off Burger Wars with Internal Competitions

The annual Burger Wars competition in Annapolis Valley is set to commence from April 1 to 30, 2024, with local restaurants already gearing up for the month-long culinary contest. This year, two prominent establishments, the Capitol Pub and Maritime Express, are employing internal competitions among their chefs to determine which unique burger will represent them in this popular event.

John Bartlett, owner of the Capitol Pub in Middleton, has organized a pre-Burger Wars contest for the last decade. During this event, each of the restaurant’s five cooks creates a distinct burger and side dish, which are then evaluated by a panel of judges. This year’s creations included the spicy Himalayan chicken burger and the innovative French onion soup burger, with the ultimate winner being the sweet and sticky burger crafted by Nathan MacKenzie. The winning burger will be featured throughout the month of April, and the chef will gain notable bragging rights.

“It’s great to see the chefs put in so much effort into their burgers,” Bartlett stated. “It builds their confidence as well.”

To enhance the excitement leading up to Burger Wars, Katie MacNeil-Mah, owner of Maritime Express in Kentville, is also hosting weekly pre-Burger Wars events throughout March. Each week, a different potential burger recipe is introduced, allowing patrons to provide feedback and share their thoughts on social media. “Our chefs are all so creative,” MacNeil-Mah noted. “It’s an excellent opportunity for them to experiment with exciting recipes.”

The process of creating a new menu item offers chefs valuable insights, from sourcing ingredients to the execution of their culinary creations. MacNeil-Mah emphasized the importance of understanding the logistics involved in selling potentially hundreds of burgers during the competition. “Selling that many burgers requires a lot of work,” she said. “This year, we know we need to ensure ingredients are easy to source and the recipes are easy to execute.”

The Burger Wars initiative has gained momentum since its inception. In 2019, Maritime Express sold 401 burgers with their spiced pig burger, which used a smoke dome. Last year, they achieved a remarkable 1,513 burgers sold with their Big Poppers. The Capitol Pub has also contributed significantly, having sold thousands of burgers during the competition’s decade-long history and winning the People’s Choice Award in 2018.

The Burger Wars event is not just about culinary competition; it also serves a charitable purpose. The proceeds from designated burger sales contribute to the Campaign for Kids, a non-profit organization focused on raising funds for youth in financial need within Kings County. For every burger sold, $1 will be donated to this cause. This year, 54 restaurants have already signed up to join the competition, aiming to surpass last year’s total of 20,500 burgers sold.

In addition to the culinary competition, local businesses are also joining in to support the cause. LIV Boutique in Kentville is offering customers tax-free purchases on regular priced items if they present a valid Burger Wars restaurant receipt throughout April. For each receipt, the boutique will donate $3 to the Campaign for Kids. Similarly, the New Scotland Candle Company is introducing a special scented candle, with $2 from each sale going towards the charity.

Middleton’s Mayor, Gail Smith, participated in the pre-Burger Wars judging, humorously recalling that she didn’t anticipate sampling six burgers during the event. She expressed enthusiasm about promoting the upcoming Burger Wars and the various Middleton establishments that will be taking part.

As the competition draws nearer, the excitement surrounding Burger Wars is palpable. The event not only brings together local communities but also helps support a worthy cause. A complete list of participating restaurants can be found on the official Burger Wars website. For more information about the Campaign for Kids, interested parties can reach out via email at [email protected].