Celebrating 15 Years of Iowa’s Best Burger Contest
Contact: Kylie Peterson, Director of Marketing & Communications, Iowa Beef Industry Council, 515-296-2305
The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) are excited to announce the commencement of the 15th annual Iowa’s Best Burger contest. This highly anticipated event has become a hallmark of culinary excellence, showcasing the diverse and delicious burgers crafted by Iowa’s talented chefs and restaurateurs.
This contest is not just a competition; it’s a celebration that showcases the valued partnership between Iowa’s cattlemen and food service providers through memorable and delicious beef experiences. Past winners of the Best Burger contest have seen a significant increase in foot traffic, attracting new patrons eager to savor the award-winning burger.
Key Highlights from the 2023 Iowa's Best Burger Contest
Since being named the home of Iowa’s Best Burger for 2023, Flight Bar + Grille in Huxley has been serving a record-setting number of burgers. “Overall, our restaurant sales have doubled since winning this highly-coveted award,” said Matt Pacha, who owns the restaurant with his wife Marianne. “In May, after the announcement, we sold 5,000 Foundation burgers. Before receiving the honor, the most Foundation burgers we sold in a month was 859.”
In addition to crushing the previous sales records, winning the annual Best Burger contest resulted in across-the board increases for many food items during May:
- Foundation burgers sold: 5,000 (last year, the average monthly sales were 250)
- Pounds of beef turned into burgers: 4,600 (compared to 1,200 pounds in May 2022)
- Pounds of French fries sold: 4,500
- Pounds of white onions used: 1,300
How to Participate and Vote
Whether you’re a restaurant owner ready to showcase your best burger or a consumer eager to cast your vote for this year’s Iowa Best Burger winner, we invite you to join in on this milestone celebration.
- Menu: To qualify for the title of Iowa’s Best Burger, the burger must be a 100% real beef patty and served on a bun or bread product.
- Promote: Call IBIC at 515-296-2305 to ensure your restaurant is on our voting list. Visit www.iabeef.org to download contest promotional materials that can be used in restaurants, online and on social media. Consumers are encouraged to share photos of their favorite burger on social media using #IABestBurger and tagging @iowabeefcouncil.
- Vote: Nominations will be accepted online between February 12, 2024, and March 12, 2024. Voting will close at 5 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. To vote, visit www.iabeef.org and follow the on-screen directions to submit your nomination. The more nominations a restaurant receives, the better chances are for that burger to make it on the “Top Ten” list announced Monday, March 18 on WHO Radio’s “The Big Show”. Finalists will receive a certificate and be eligible for the secret taste-test by contest judges. The 2024 Best Burger in Iowa will be announced on May 1, 2024, with the kick-off of May Beef Month in Iowa.
Special 2024 Contest Rule
In celebration of the 15th anniversary, we are allowing all previous Iowa’s Best Burger winners to compete and win the 2024 Iowa’s Best Burger Contest. More details about the contest, rules, and the voting form are available at www.iabeef.org.
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About the Iowa Beef Industry Council: The Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program and the $0.50-per-head Iowa State Beef Checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information, visit www.iabeef.org.
About the Iowa Cattlemen's Association: The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association represents nearly 8,000 beef cattle producer families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa’s beef industry. ICA’s mission is “Grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership, and education.” www.iacattlemen.org.
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