Pictured: Judge’s Choice winner- Duffy’s, Photos by Rachel Galvin
By Rachel Galvin
The Boca Burger Battle didn’t disappoint. The meat was sizzling, the buns were warming and people were smiling from ear to ear. This annual event, held this year on July 12 in Sanborn Square Park in Boca Raton, attracts burger lovers from near and far to enjoy some of the best offerings from local restaurants. Not only were the restaurateurs there to tempt people’s tastebuds, but they were also there to win the competition.
The judges gorged themselves on burger after burger before making their final determinations. This year’s judges were Carmine Gialanelia, the morning show host on Carmine & Maegan In The Morning for WiLD 95.5; Chef Scott Seddon, brand manager at Pero Family Farms; Sam Kerrigan, anchor at CBS News 12; Vicki Corrao, board member of the Palm Beach American Culinary Federation and former owner of three Italian restaurants in NYC’s Little Italy; Robert S. Weinroth, former Palm Beach County Mayor; Douglas Heizer, publisher of The Boca Raton Tribune, and Dante Nardini, of #CommonManEats.
Besides the Judges Choice prize, plus 2nd and 3rd runner up, there was also a People’s Choice Award. People were voting til the tail-end of the competition.
In the end, it was Duffy’s who won the Judges Choice for Best Grill Master, followed by Won Toms and The Cove Waterfront Restaurant & Tiki Bar. People’s Choice went to The Vault.
While people tried out the 16 burger selections and sampled beer and other spirits, they could listen to the Spider Cherry band. Some even did a little dancing, although there was not much room. It cleared out a bit later; however, the event was still packed.
The event, put on by founder Russell Spadaccini, always gives back to charity, and this year they donated once again to Children’s Giving Foundation. People could also donate blood to OneBlood and Boca Heping Hands was on hand to take nonperishable donations. This was the 12th year for the event.
The next event put on by Spadaccini will be in the same location. It will be the Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival, held on November 8. For more information, bocaratonwineandfoodfestival.com.
