“A Grilling Affair” returns to Sanborn Square Park in downtown Boca!
By Kenny Spahn
Summer is here. The crowds are shorter, the days are longer – and the grills are firing up again, for the 8th Annual Boca Burger Battle. The increasingly popular “Grilling Affair” takes place on Saturday, July 13 in Sanborn Square Park along Federal Highway in downtown Boca Raton.
Don’t miss this Burgerlicious experience to taste the best burger creations, as the area’s top Chefs push the grilling envelope and vie for the coveted Golden Burger Trophy and “Best Boca Burger” title. A panel of hungry Judges will select their Judges’ Pick for “Best Grill Master” and “Best Alternative Grill Master,” and all festival goers get to vote for their own personal favorite in the People’s Choice Award for the “Best Boca Burger.”
Returning champions Cheffrey Eats, Funky Buddha Brewery, M.E.A.T. Eatery & Taproom, and Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox will be defending their titles against hungry contenders including 251 Tap Room, Burtons Grill & Bar, Bru’s Room Sports Grill, Crazy Uncle Mike’s, CWS Bar + Kitchen, Double Roads Tavern, La Perrada del Gordo, Legends Tavern & Grille, TooJay’s, and more. Sweet desserts will also be offered by A Flair For Fudge and M.E.A.T. Eatery. Also on tap for the evening: Plenty of craft beers, select Wines, and Spirits, a retail bazaar, and live entertainment–and the chance to enjoy a sunny summer Saturday at Sanborn Square! Barrel of Monks Brewing will return as the feature Craft Beer and Cup Sponsor. All ticket holders receive UNLIMITED samplings of all Burgers and other Food offerings, Beer, Wine, and Spirits!
Chef Rey De La Osa of Publix Aprons Cooking School will again chair the specially selected committee of Grill Master Judges, who will award the winning titles of Best Grill Master and Best Alternative Grill Master. This year’s other celebrity Judges include Douglas Heizer, Publisher of The Boca Raton Tribune, Chef Irie of Chef Irie Food On Fiyah, Executive Chef Jason L. Smith from STEAK 954 at the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel, Ghia, Co-host of the Paul Castronovo Morning Drive Show on BIG 105.9, and former City of Boca Raton Commissioner Robert S Weinroth. Rob Calvert, from the Paul Castronovo Show on Big 105.9 will serve as this year’s this year’s “Master of Ceremonies.
“This community event with its “Backyard BBQ” theme not only showcases some of the best beef and alternative burgers in south Florida that can be found, but also has an array of summer food tasting stations sampling gourmet food items. You can quench your thirst with a variety of craft beer, seasonal spirits and summer wines” notes event founder and President Russell Spadaccini of BocaRaton.com and WineEvents.com.
Portion of proceeds from the Boca Burger Battle benefit PROPEL (People Reaching Out to Provide Education and Leadership), a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization located in Boca Raton. PROPEL’s goal is to address the needs of youth and be a catalyst for change, one life at a time. They offer weekly programming and special events in the areas of arts, education and recreation to best forward the future of our youth.
The Boca Burger Battle is presented by WineEvents.com, and produced by south Florida event production company BocaRaton.com & The BITES! Network, which also produces the Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival every November.
The 8th Annual Boca Burger Battle takes place Saturday, July 13 at Sanborn Square Park in downtown Boca Raton (Federal Highway, near Palmetto Park Road) from 7:00 (6:00 for VIP) – 10:00 pm.
General Admission tickets are $50 in advance, or $100 at the event (if still available). VIP Tickets are only $75 in advance ($125 at the event), and include one hour early entrance (6:00 instead of 7:00). All ticket holders receive unlimited food and drink tastings and access to all marketplace booths and exhibits. This is a 21 + year old event. No Pets, please. Event is Rain or Shine.
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit http://www.bocaburgerbattle.com/ or call (561) 338- 7594.
For more information about WineEvents.com, visit www.WineEvents.com,
For more information about PROPEL, visit www.PropelYourFuture.org,
For more information about Restaurant Placement Group visit: https://www.restaurantplacement.com/
Stay apprised of other area Food & Wine Festivals! Check out my article: https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2019/02/food-wine-festivals-2019/
About the Author: Kenny Spahn is a renowned food critic, culinary columnist, and restaurant authority, and has published over 800 culinary articles. Mr. Spahn is also the CEO of Restaurant Placement Group, an exclusive recruiting, placement, and consulting firm for the Rstaurant and Hospitality industry. https://www.restaurantplacement.com.