Burger Wellington: Shepherd Masters Pork for Victory

News Release

Friday, 30 August 2013

Shepherd Masters Pork for Victory

Ti Kouka café’s All About Longbush Pork Burger emerged victorious from a sizzling cook off finale to take out this year’s coveted Burger Wellington title, presented by Garage Project.

Chef Shepherd Elliott’s winning creation showcased Wairarapa’s Longbush Free Range Pork, featuring pulled pork, smoked roast pork belly and Longbush middle bacon, with mint, coriander, chili oil and crackling sides, hoisin mayo and iceberg lettuce.

At the cook off held at Le Cordon Bleu yesterday, Elliott faced stiff competition from finalists Arthur’s, Café Polo, Charlie Bill – Fine Food Bistro and Portlander Restaurant.

A judging panel consisting of Burger Bucket List Blogger Pete Watson, Eat And Greet’s Beth Brash, award-winning chef Martin Bosley, The Omnivore’s Jeremy Taylor, Garage Project’s Jos Ruffell, and Le Cordon Bleu Chef de Cuisine Francis Motta, had the tough task of assessing the finalists based on appearance, taste, originality and use of local ingredients.

Judge Jeremy Taylor said Ti Kouka’s burger was a standout.

“Unique in form, this burger really showed confidence. It was generous - not only in serving size, but in terms of flavour. When all is said and done, it was just delicious to eat.”

Chef and Co-owner Mr Elliott said he was happy that the hours spent steaming buns had paid off.

“I’m proud of the team at Ti Kouka. We’ve been flat out with the festival these last few weeks so it’s fantastic to finish on a high.

“We really wanted to showcase the full flavour of Longbush Free Range Pork. Using pork in three ways in the one burger was adventurous but allowed for creativity and a burger that really packed a punch. “

Also judged alongside Burger Wellington was the Garage Project Burger Challenge.

This inaugural award saw the team at Crazy Horse The Steakhouse best match their burger to a Garage Project brew - and beat Monsoon Poon, Little Beer Quarter and Ti Kouka to win a bespoke Garage Project craft beer.

Mr Taylor said “Crazy Horse The Steakhouse’s The Kimchi Burger, with it’s tangy, crunchy house-cured pickles and kimchi, was quite heavenly matched with the big, bold, fruity Angry Peaches brew.

“Each compliments the other impeccably well, and it manages to be both intensely savoury, and bright and crisp.”

Visa Wellington On a Plate’s Burger Wellington competition presented by Garage Project saw 69 of Wellington’s finest eateries attract over 3500 text votes across 17 days. The five with the highest average score went to the cook-off.

Ends…/

Editor’s Notes:

:: Ti Kouka plan to bring back their burger in September. Dates to be confirmed. Watch this space!

Burger Wellington sponsor, Garage Project is an award-winning craft brewery located in an old petrol station in Wellington’s Aro Valley.

Their approach to brewing is restless and experimental in a desire to create unique and beautiful beers. They like reinterpreting styles and challenging the notions of what craft beer can be.

In addition to sponsoring Burger Wellington, Garage Project challenged Burger Wellington restaurateurs to match their burger creations to Garage Project brews.

They released three beers especially for Burger Wellington participants in exclusive, limited edition 330ml cans. The winner of the inaugural Garage Project Burger Challenge won a bespoke craft beer brewed by the team at Garage Project.

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