Two Phoenix Restaurants Are Competing in the James Beard Burger Battle, Voting Now Open

The James Beard Foundation is hosting a national contest that invites chefs from around the country to create a more sustainable burger, composed of at least 25 percent chopped mushroom in place of meat. This year there are four Arizona restaurants in the competition: Charro Steak and Lindy's on 4th from Tuscon, and two Goodyear contestants, Eagle's Nest and Toscana's.

By Felicia Campbell

June 16, 2017

Blended Burger Project

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The James Beard Foundation is hosting a national contest that invites chefs from around the country to create a more sustainable burger, composed of at least 25 percent chopped mushroom in place of meat. This year, there are four Arizona restaurants in the competition: Charro Steak and Lindy's on 4th from Tuscon, and two Goodyear contestants, Eagle's Nest and Toscana's.

Eagle’s Nest has submitted the Hail Mary, a patty of portabella, button mushrooms, roasted garlic, thyme, jalapenos, bacon, and shallots mixed with ground brisket, topped with bourbon bacon jam, lettuce, house-made pickles, red onion, devil dog sauce, a slice of American cheese, and a slice of Havarti cheese on a brioche roll.

Toscana’s Restaurant has entered a pan-seared burger of 80/20 ground beef mixed with house-smoked mesquite button mushrooms and topped with grilled tomatoes, caramelized onions, shaved lettuce, fresh watercress, apple-wood bacon, aged smoked cheddar, house-made Arizona cowboy candy, and mayonnaise on a King’s Hawaiian bun.

The top five competing chefs will compete in the final Blended Burger Challenge in New York next year.

If you want to vote for a local Arizona competitor, go online and cast your vote before July 31.

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Felicia Campbell has written about food, culture, and cars for digital and print publications all over the world and is the author of The Food of Oman: Recipes and Stories from the Gateway to Arabia (Andrews McMeel, 2015). Her husband learned quickly that she’d rather get a bag of avocados than a bouquet of roses.

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