I loved my trip to Rib nights earlier this year, so when I heard that the man behind it was launching another new event, I couldn't buy tickets fast enough. Unlike Rib nights, (which is is a sit down meal affair where two competing rib smoking teams try to win the vote of the eaters), Burger Battle seemed to be a more laid back affair.
I bought tickets in the "secret sale" for £20 each. All I knew initially was the venue and that I would receive two burgers and a drink for my ticket price. Over the coming weeks, more was revealed about the event... It would entail two burger teams competing (same format as Rib Nights), but with the added extra of DJ's, a retro gaming arena, superstar judges (well, well known foodie characters within Birmingham) and a more chilled vibe than Rib Nights. Needless to say I was excited...
So, yesterday was the day! We rocked down to the venue early (having been warned of queues for food) and got checked in. On entry, we received a wrist band with three boxes to be marked. A box for a burger from the "Beefy Boys", a box for the burger from "The Flying Cows" and a box for a complimentary drink. Once the event was ready to go, we were at the front of the queue to recieve our burger from the "Beefy Boys". This was called the "Butty Bach" (the sauce being made from the Wye Valley brew of the same name) and offered a brioche bun, bacon, two different cheeses and top quality beef.
The guys from the team were brilliant! All up for answering questions about the ingredients and willing to swap any of the components in the burger in the case of allergens. We grabbed our burger, grabbed our complimentary drink (I went for an alcoholic ginger ale) and sat in the main table space to judge our food. This burger was very good, but there was too much sauce (which ended up overpowering the other flavours).
Once we had drank our first drink and eaten our first burger, it was straight into queue number two. I have had a "Flying Cows" burger beforehand, so knew I would be getting a treat. It was definitely my winner of the evening. Delicious beef, crunchy red onions and a fantastic bun from the local bakery, "Peel & Stone".
Once more beers had been sourced (with Pistonhead being offered at two cans for five pounds, this offered a better alternative to the bar offerings in Spotlight) and our votes cast, we headed into the retro gaming arena (for me to be thrashed at Mortal Kombat and for the other half to be thrashed at Sonic 2).
We ended up leaving shortly after that... Not because the evening wasn't jam packed with stuff to do, but mainly as it was on a Sunday and based the other side of the City from us. I can't wait until the the next battle. Needless to say, I'll probably end up being one of the first people to buy tickets (again). Roll on Burger Battle! read more