The T Rex Takes Top Honours at Burger Wellington 2012

The T Rex Takes Top Honours at Burger Wellington 2012

The judges made no bones about it, The T Rex is Wellington’s ultimate burger for 2012.

The Burger Wellington entry – served on a shoulder bone, held in place by a rib bone with sauce supplied in a cannon bone - saw Boulcott Street Bistro take out Wellington’s coveted Battle of the Burger title.

Chef Rex Morgan won top honours at the Burger Wellington 2012 Cook Off at Le Cordon Bleu yesterday, edging out stiff competition from Wellington City’s Shinobi Sushi Lounge, Plimmerton’s Topor Bistro and Bar, Miramar’s Café Polo and Greytown’s Bar Salute.

A judging panel consisting of Absolutely Burgered blogger Jeremy Taylor, Jason Leung-Wai from Burger Wellington sponsor Berl Economics, and Le Cordon Bleu Chef de Cuisine Adam Newell had the tough task of assessing the finalists based on appearance, flavour, innovation and inclusion of Wellington ingredients.

Mr Taylor says “The T Rex – had everything – drama, fun, spectacular presentation and flavour in abundance – the braised short rib was a particularly inspired touch.

“A better class of burger – a bit next level. A worthy champion.”

Mr Morgan says the creation of The T Rex was a learning curve for the restaurant’s culinary crew.

“We wanted to create something fun but also a bit different – so after a lot of brainstorming and research, the team decided on a BBQ short rib burger with ground chuck patty.

“Presentation was also key and we certainly don’t do things by halves,” says Mr Morgan.

Visa Wellington On a Plate’s Burger Wellington competition saw 63 of Wellington’s finest eateries attract 4510 text votes across 17 days. The five with the highest average score went to the cook-off.

Burger Wellington 2012 finalist details:

Winner: Boulcott Street Bistro (Wellington City) – The T Rex: Preston’s Hereford BBQ short rib and ground chuck patty with horseradish celery salad and beetroot relish, with handcut fries.

Finalist: Shinobi Sushi Lounge (Wellington City) – Shinobi Spicy Fish Burger: Spicy Wellington Trawling Sea Market fish of the day patty with a kumara and red onion kaki-age, salad greens, and an avocado and tomato salsa in a steamed bun, with lotus root crisps and ama-zu beetroot.

Finalist: Café Polo (Miramar) – Polly’s Gone Burger: Freshly ground Wairarapa beef patty with PrimeStar beef bacon, caramelised onion, Polo BBQ sauce, housemade pickles and Kingsmeade Wairarapa Jack cheese on a toasted bun, with handcut truffle fries.

Finalist: Topor Bistro and Bar (Plimmerton) – Poles Apart!: Polish keilbasa sausage with caramelised red cabbage, horseradish aioli and balsamic-roasted portobello mushroom, with honey-roasted beetroot and gourmet potatoes.

Finalist: Bar Salute (Greytown) – Bar Salute Dessert Burger: Banana and kaffir lime patty with candied persimmon, coconut, mango and chargrilled pineapple on Cottage Lane ciabatta, with chunky cinnamon sugared ‘fries’.

About Visa Wellington On a Plate

New Zealand’s largest and tastiest culinary festival, Visa Wellington On a Plate, served good times and great deals from August 10-26.

The festival centrepiece was DINE Wellington, a fortnight where over 100 of the region's finest eateries offered lunchtime set menus and delectable dinner deals. This year saw the return of the popular ‘battle of the Burger’, Burger Wellington, and a bevy of 111 events including Beervana, the NZ Chocolate Festival and Wellington Fisher & Paykel MasterClass.

Background

Positively Wellington Tourism (regional tourism organisation) and Grow Wellington (regional economic development agency) established the Visa Wellington On a Plate festival in 2009 to showcase the region’s food and beverage sector, and to develop culinary tourism in the region. The two organisations plan and market the event in liaison with the food sector and hospitality industry.

Visa Wellington On a Plate 2012 ran from August 10-26. For more information visit www.visawellingtononaplate.com

Visa is the naming rights sponsor of Visa Wellington On a Plate. Visa Entertainment gives Visa Credit, Debit or Pre-paid cardholders access to concert pre-sales, added value offers and competitions. There is no cost to join the programme. By registering your email address you'll be sent emails about the hottest pre-sales and offers. www.visaentertainment.co.nz

ENDS

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