Annapolis Valley Restaurants Gear Up for Burger Wars 2024

Restaurants in Annapolis Valley are ramping up their preparations for the much-anticipated annual Burger Wars competition, set to take place from April 1 to 30, 2024. This year, two local establishments, the Capitol Pub and Maritime Express, are employing internal competitions among their chefs to determine which unique burger will represent them in the contest.

John Bartlett, owner of the Capitol Pub in Middleton, has organized a pre-Burger Wars event for the past decade. Each of the restaurant’s five cooks creates their own burger and side dish. These creations are then served to a panel of judges for blind tasting. This year’s standout creation was the “sweet and sticky burger” by Nathan MacKenzie, who earned not only the opportunity to feature his burger throughout April but also the coveted bragging rights. “It’s great to see the chefs put in so much effort into their burgers,” Bartlett noted. “It’s beneficial for their confidence as well.”

In a similar spirit, Katie MacNeil-Mah, operator of Maritime Express in Kentville, is hosting weekly pre-Burger Wars events throughout March. Each week, a different burger recipe is featured, allowing patrons to provide feedback that will help determine the final selection. “Our chefs are incredibly creative, and these events give them a platform to showcase exciting recipes,” MacNeil-Mah explained. She emphasized the importance of understanding the entire process of bringing a new menu item to life, from sourcing ingredients to preparation.

The growing scale of Burger Wars is evident in the increasing sales figures. In its inaugural year in 2019, Maritime Express sold 401 of its “spiced pig” burgers. Last year, they achieved an impressive total of 1,513 “Big Poppers.” The Capitol Pub, which was the first venue to join the competition outside Kings County, has also sold thousands of burgers over the past decade.

Burger Wars not only promotes culinary creativity but also serves a larger purpose within the community. Proceeds from the event benefit Campaign for Kids, a non-profit organization that supports youth in financial need in Kings County. For every burger sold, $1 will be donated to this cause. This year, 54 restaurants have already signed up, aiming to surpass last year’s total of 20,500 burgers sold.

The event gained additional community engagement this year with the participation of Gail Smith, Middleton’s mayor, who joined the judging panel. “When asked, I didn’t realize I would be eating six burgers that night,” Smith joked. She expressed enthusiasm for promoting Burger Wars and highlighted the local restaurants involved in the competition.

As a special incentive, LIV Boutique in Kentville is offering customers tax-free purchases on regular-priced items when they show a valid Burger Wars restaurant receipt during April. The boutique will also donate $3 for each receipt to the Campaign for Kids. Similarly, the New Scotland Candle Company will contribute $2 from each featured candle sold to the same cause.

This year’s Burger Wars competition promises to bring together the community while providing significant support to those in need. The full list of participating restaurants can be found on the official Burger Wars website, ensuring that burger enthusiasts can plan their tastings throughout the month.

As the excitement builds, both local chefs and patrons look forward to a month filled with delicious burgers and the spirit of competition, all for a good cause.