Burger Showdown Coming to Downtown Tampa This Weekend

From City of Tampa Online:

It will be a battle, but it will be delicious! Chefs will gather at on Friday, May 4, for a Burger Showdown and for braggin’ rights of Best Burger in the Bay.

Sharpening their knives in anticipation of the Showdown are the chefs from: Ashley Street Grille, BGR The Burger Joint, Burger 21, Champions Bar and Grill, Chili’s, ; Green Iguana Bar and Grill, Lee Roy Selmon’s, Square 1 Burgers and Bar, Stacked Burgers, the Tampa Convention Center's Aramark and more.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn is honorary chair and 970-WFLA's Jack Harris will MC when the heat is on for the Best Burger title awarded by the judges and the People’s Choice Award, voted on by foodies in attendance. Additionally there will be a category to determine The Best Other-Than-Beef (O.T.B.) Burger.

The judging panel is chaired by Erik Youngs, lead instructor of the Culinary Operations Academy. He will oversee the panel of judges made up of local celebrities who will choose the Best Burger in the Bay and the Best O.T.B. Burger champions.

Grills will sizzle from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the park at 600 N. Ashley Dr. Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the gate. Each ticket holder will be allowed unlimited burger sampling, dessert and two drink tickets. VIP tickets are $95 and in addition to the Burger Showdown amenities, will include an open bar cocktail reception and dancing aboard the Yacht StarShip, America’s First 3-diamond rated Dining Yacht. The Yacht StarShip will also host the dessert tent at Burger Showdown to unveil and showcase their exciting new desserts.

A silent auction offers-up a trip to New Orleans, a private yacht outing for a party of 20, a membership package and photography classes from the Riverwalk’s newest resident, the Florida Photographic Museum of Photographic Arts, and more from Tampa’s waterfront businesses.

Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Riverwalk in their goal of completing and activating Tampa’s Riverwalk. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit burgershowdown.org.