Two Chicago chefs take home coveted Chicago Gourmet Hamburger Hop awards

Chicago Gourmet’s 2021 Hamburger Hop, presented by DoorDash, Buckhead Meat and Blue Moon Brewing Co., returned with a splash on Friday, September 24. Held at the Harris Theater rooftop and emceed by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard, the show-stopping evening was filled with mouth-watering burgers, cold brews, Josh Wines, 1800 Cristalino cocktails, festive music and stunning skyline views as 15 leading chefs went grill-to-grill for champion status.

After careful deliberation by an impressive panel of celebrity judges, Chef David Wang of Slightly Toasted/Lightly Toasted/Asadito/Wok n’ Bao was named the Buckhead Meat Hamburger Hop Award winner. His creation, You Quiero Pambazo, featured a mouthwatering, 1946 craft burger laden with queso fundido con chorizo, escabeche relish, shoestring potatoes and a Turano Baking Co. potato bun. Burgers were judged on flavor, creativity and presentation. A clear standout, Chef Wang’s burger also won over the crowd, leading to double victory in the People’s Choice Award category. Attendees cast votes for their favorites at chef stations throughout the evening.

Adding even more to the festivities, the winner of the Citywide Hamburger Hop – featuring more than 70 contending restaurants throughout Chicago’s communities – was also revealed. From September 1-22, food lovers were encouraged to ‘hop’ around town and try as many burgers as possible. Based on flavor and overall presentation, they voted on their favorite online.

Chef Nick Barnhart of Epic Burger took home the most votes with the Jalapeño Cheese Bomb Burger – two hand-smashed, all beef patties stacked with jalapeño cream cheese, fried shallots and bacon built on a bed of organic veggies and fiesta ranch. Citywide Hamburger Hop burgers will be available at all participating restaurants through September 30.

Winners took home a Buckhead Meat Certified Angus Beef Gift Pack of Premium Grilling Tools and a magnum of fine wine from Josh Cellars. And, of course, bragging rights for a lifetime! 

With post-pandemic economic recovery of the hospitality industry at heart, Chicago Gourmet benefits the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF), a 501 (c)(3) dedicated to building and promoting the health and prosperity of the restaurant industry by investing in both youth and workforce. It has awarded more than $3.2 million in scholarships since its inception. Since October 2020, the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund has also provided $274,000 in cash relief grants to hospitality employees facing financial crisis because of COVID-19.