Presented by Allen Brothers and hosted by Rachael Ray, the burger competition drew more than 1,800 hungry guests to the sands behind the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach on Thursday, signaling the start of the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
Though many high-profile tickets falling under the marquee of the four-day festival were still available through yesterday, Thursdayβs Amstel Light Burger Bash had a strong response back in October when tickets were first available.
βIncredibly this event sold-out by 8:30 a.m. on the first day,β said Randy Fisher, the lead event manager for the event.
Fisher along with Randi Freedman of Logistics Management Group was again responsible for this yearβs execution. With the aid of Deco Productions, the event once again took on a "barbecue chic" decor scheme with linens in deep red, Heinz Ketchup bottles converted into simple centerpieces, and virtually the same logistical format as was done in previous years, including the vendors. The marked difference between 2008 and Thursdayβs event however was the addition of four restaurants and sponsorship growth.
βWeβre seeing sponsors extend the power of their branding opportunity from logo visibility to actually allowing guests to sample their products,β said Fisher.
Again, Rachael Ray took to the floor after a short introduction (and thanking of the sponsors) with her husband to try each contestantβs burgers, placing her vote via voting chips just as the rest of the attendees did throughout the night.
In the end, Spike Mendelsohn of the Good Stuff Eatery in Washington, D.C. and former contender on Bravoβs Top Chef season four walked away with all three top honors: People's Choice, the Judgesβ Award, and Best Dressed Burger.
Other favorites included the bites from Bobby Flayβs Bobbyβs Burger Palace, SW Steakhouse inside the Wynn Las Vegas, and local hotspots like Kobe Club, Michyβs, and Michaelβs Genuine Food & Drink.