The burger is a humble food; it’s a patty and some toppings nestled inside of a bun. But our collective obsession with the food has seen it elevated to out-of-this-world heights. Burgers have become OTT extravagant, with unthinkable ingredients, and have physically grown to immense sizes. The ostensibly affordable food has even been turned into a premium, luxury menu item at some restaurants. In short – there’s now a burger for every palate, and countless burger places to try. But where is the very best burger in the entire UK? According to the National Burger Awards, it’s right here in London.
On February 20, 15 burger creations from around the UK battled it out for the crown. But only one emerged victorious. Pushing its way out of the pack to first place as the UK’s Best Burger was Bleecker’s Bacon Double, cooked by Celine Raeburn.
Said Raeburn – who previously won the title back in 2020:
“I feel a bit speechless and emotional. I did shed a tear, but I’m really happy. This burger is damn good, it’s so good. I cooked it today, yes, but you can come into the shops anytime and it’ll be that good.
“It’s the second time we’ve won – we had to wait a little while in between, so hopefully it won’t be as long next time, but it does make it feel that bit more special.”
Trailing just behind Bleecker’s Bacon Double were creations by Mollies Motel & Diner and Black Bear Burger, which netted second and third respectively.
National Burger Awards winners
Well, we say only one emerged victorious – but there were actually a handful of other awards presented at the National Burger Awards. Oh, and we Londoners nabbed a further two of those awards. Naturally…
London’s up-and-coming (and already hugely-adored) Bun and Sum netted the Burger Chef of The Year award. This award required Bun and Sum’s burger chef Farbez Uddin to compete in a Technical Round and make the best burger using ingredients provided to them.
Whole Beast, who operate out of Peckham’s The Montpelier Pub, was recognised with the Bloggers’ Choice Award for its Signature Aged Cheeseburger. One look at that gorgeous beauty (see below) and it’s easy to see why!
Other awards included the best Plant-Based Burger – which went to Fattso’s Hamish Macdonald, from Bristol, for the Mi-so Hungry – and a Freakshake Challenge. The latter was won by Francesca Hudspeth of MeatCastles, with her apple crumble-inspired Forbidden Fruit shake.
Geez… Is anyone else really craving a burger now? I’m STARVING!