This event is about more than burgers – it’s about bringing people together to make a difference. Every bite you take this November helps someone right here in our community get the support they need.
Kelly Ziegner
President & CEO, United Way Elgin Middlesex
The grills are hot, the buns are toasted, and the competition is officially on! United Way Elgin Middlesex kicked off our first-ever Ultimate Burger Battle, presented by TD Bank Group, with a sizzling launch party at Beer Kitchen at 100 Kellogg Lane – and London’s food scene turned out in full force to celebrate.
Hosted by Mike Stubbs of AM 980 and voice of the London Knights, the event brought together an all-star lineup of local chefs, community leaders, food fanatics to mark the beginning of our region’s tastiest fundraiser yet.
“This event is about more than burgers – it’s about bringing people together to make a difference,” said Kelly Ziegner, President & CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex. “Every bite you take this November helps someone right here in our community get the support they need.”
Throughout November, 18 restaurants across London, Elgin, and Middlesex are facing off to claim the title of Ultimate Burger Champion. For each Ultimate Burger sold, $2 goes directly to United Way Elgin Middlesex, supporting local programs that help give everyone a fair shot at a good life.
From The Bungalow’s “Baconnaise” to Cintro’s lemongrass and ginger creation, chefs are pulling out all the stops with inventive flavours, premium ingredients, and playful names.
“It’s the perfect mix of creativity and community,” said Alex Martin, Head Chef at 100 Kellogg Lane. “We’re proud to host the kickoff and show London just how much local chefs care.”
One highlight of the morning was the “swearing-in” ceremony for the Burger Ambassadors – a panel of local volunteers ready to take on the delicious duty of tasting and judging Ultimate Burgers.
From local media personalities to community leaders, this enthusiastic group will rate burger creations on taste, presentation, originality, toppings, and execution to determine who takes home the “Ultimate” title!
But this month-long event isn’t just tasty – it’s helping to tackle real issues in our community. “We know that the needs in our community are great,” said UWEM president and CEO Kelly Ziegner. “We have about 7,000 people that are on the list for affordable housing in London. One in five kids in our community lives in poverty. So we have some big challenges,” she said.
At the end of the month, winners will be announced in three categories:
- Ultimate Burger of the Year
- People’s Choice Award
- Most Burgers Sold
Now it’s your turn to get in on the action!
Here’s how to be part of the Ultimate Burger Battle:
- Visit participating restaurants from November 1-30 and order their Ultimate Burger
- Vote online for your favourites to help crown the People’s Choice Burger
- Share your burger pics on social media with #UltimateBurgerBattle and tag @UnitedWayEMca
Whether you’re a burger lover, local business supporter, or just hungry for a good cause, there’s never been a better time to dine out and give back.
Because when our community comes together, United, every burger makes a difference.
A big thank you to TD Bank Group, McCormick Canada, The Finnerty Marketing Agency, and Corus Radio for their generous support in making this event possible.
A full list of participating restaurants is below. For full details see the Ultimate Burger Battle site:
- Bear & Frankie’s (130 King St)
- Beer Kitchen (110 Kellogg Lane)
- The Bungalow (910 Waterloo St)
- Burger Factory Wharncliffe (276 Wharncliffe Rd N)
- The Church Key Bistro-Pub (476 Richmond)
- Cintro on Wellington (731 Wellington St)
- The Clock Tower Inn Bistro (71 Frank St, Strathroy)
- Craft Farmacy (449 Wharncliffe Rd S)
- David’s Bistro (432 Richmond St)
- Edgar & Joe’s (255 Horton St E.)
- House Craft Burgers (640 Richmond St)
- Joe Kool’s (595 Richmond St)
- The London Club (177 Queens Ave)
- Los Olivos (2140 Kains Road)
- Milos Craft Beer Emporium (4-420 Talbot St)
- New Leaf Food Truck (London)
- Tiger Jack’s (842 Wharncliffe Rd S)
- Winks (1212-551 Richmond St)
Thank you to our Sponsors & Partners
Topics : Ultimate Burger Battle
