2012 Blue Moon Burger Bash: Rachael Ray and Some Big-Name Winners
The New York City Wine & Food Festival’s annual Blue Moon Burger Bash went down Friday night near South Street Seaport, hosted this year by Rachael Ray. Chilly weather didn’t deter the meat-hungry hordes, who dug into some familiar and new creations, and lots of enticing sides. Bobby Flay’s Bobby’s Burger Palace served a “Napa Valley” version with goat cheese and watercress, and when we chatted with partner Laurence Kretchmer, he hinted that he’s looking at NYC locations but hasn’t found the perfect one yet. Among the more unusual offerings were Sons of Essex’s bacon-crusted patty, served with truffled macaroni and cheese; and Seamus Mullen of Tertulia’s Hamburguesa Ligeramente Ahumada (lightly smoked burger), a repeat from his win at this summer’s Superburger, which the chef really nailed Friday night.
However, the ultimate victor, as chosen by the crowd, was the Bash Burger with caramelized onion and bacon jam, shaved pickles, secret sauce, and American cheese made by Josh Capon of cleansing fame Burger & Barrel, who rung in his third People’s Choice win. And judges Anne Burrell, David Burke, Andrew Zimmern, and Adam Richman selected Michael White’s White Label Burger for the Burgermeister Award from event sponser Pat La Frieda. See these burgers and more straight ahead in our slideshow.
Short-rib burger with pickled grilled onions and Chipotle mayo. Twice-fried spiced potato skins.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Wagyu cheeseburger with quail egg and crisp onions. Crispy white Cheddar and chive tator tots.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Steakhouse burger with caramelized onions.
Photo: Dominic Perri
The LP veal burger. Zucchini chips.
Photo: Dominic Perri
House-ground-lamb burger topped with spiced tomato sauce and Vlahotiri cheese. Tomato feta salad.
Photo: Dominic Perri
The penultimate bacon cheeseburger. Bacon tator tots.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Napa Valley Burger Crunchified: fresh goat cheese, watercress, Meyer lemon honey mustard, potato chips.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Harrison Burger: 100 percent ground short rib, Cheddar cheese, pickles, fried onion, and special sauce. Baked beans and burnt bits.
Photo: Dominic Per...Harrison Burger: 100 percent ground short rib, Cheddar cheese, pickles, fried onion, and special sauce. Baked beans and burnt bits.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Gotham Burger with fingerling chips.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Brit Burger: Smoked English Cheddar, caramelized onions, horseradish mayo. Sticky toffee shake.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Park Avenue Burger: chuck, brisket, and short-rib patty on potato roll with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sauteed onions. With Provolone and s...
Park Avenue Burger: chuck, brisket, and short-rib patty on potato roll with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sauteed onions. With Provolone and sweet potato tots.
Photo: Dominic Perri
'21' Buffalo Burger: Signature '21' blend with Cheddar cheese, fried onions in Buffalo sauce, and blue cheese and bacon sauce.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Applewood-bacon-crusted burger, truffled macaroni and cheese.
Photo: Dominic Perri
White Label Burger: Nueske's bacon, white American cheese, McClure's pickles, mustard. Pommes Dauphines.
Photo: Dominic Perri
SmokeShack: American cheeseburger topped with Niman Ranch applewood bacon, chopped cherry pepper, and ShackSauce.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Hamburguesa Ligeramente Ahumada: lightly smoked beef burger, smoked American Cheddar, caramelized onion jam, ñora pepper ketchup, house pickle....
Hamburguesa Ligeramente Ahumada: lightly smoked beef burger, smoked American Cheddar, caramelized onion jam, ñora pepper ketchup, house pickle. Ensalada de Otoño.
100th Anniversary Burger: custom blend with a touch of espelette on a housemade bun with bearnaise, sucrine lettuce, tomato, and onion.
Photo: Domin...100th Anniversary Burger: custom blend with a touch of espelette on a housemade bun with bearnaise, sucrine lettuce, tomato, and onion.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Smashed Smoke: black peppercorn bacon, New York State Cheddar, Spanish onion, sweet ketchup. BBQ Ranch Dirty Chips.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Schnippers Classic Burger: special cheese blend, caramelized onions, thick cut bacon, baby arugula, Schnipper sauce. Thick-cut potato chips with chipo...
Schnippers Classic Burger: special cheese blend, caramelized onions, thick cut bacon, baby arugula, Schnipper sauce. Thick-cut potato chips with chipotle-ranch dipping sauce.
Photo: Dominic Perri
Barbecue bacon burger with smoked mozzarella and barbecue bacon mayo. Sweet potato tater tots.
Photo: Dominic Perri