2016 Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown Finalists Announced

The votes have been cast at ediblesmackdown.com for the Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown, an annual competition to find the best green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico. After a six week voting period, July 7 – August 17, the finalists have been picked and will move on to compete in the September 9, 2016 Smackdown.

The battling chefs bring some serious culinary chops to the competition, proving that truly great burgers go beyond American cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Of the fifteen restaurants competing, the seven finalists determined by online vote are:

Anasazi Restaurant, Bar and Lounge – Chef Edgar Beas
Freight House Kitchen + Tap – Chef Matt Schnooberger
Living Room at Inn and Spa Loretto – Chef Anthony Smith
Plaza Cafe Southside – Chef Ivan Labra
Red Sage at Buffalo Thunder – Chef Thomas Hartwell
Second Street Brewery – Chef Milton Villarrubia
Toddzilla Mobile Cuisine – Chef Todd “Toddzilla” Alexander

You can view photos and videos of all the contenders here: http://ediblesmackdown.com/the-contenders/

The seven finalists will battle it out at the Smackdown on September 9, 2016 at the Santa Fe Railyards in front of a panel of local and national celebrity judges. The esteemed judges are:

Angela Moore, Vice President, Digital for the Food Network and Cooking Channel
Arthur Bovino, editor, writer, photographer, and managing editor for Mouth.com
Tracey Ryder, co-founder of Edible Communities, Inc., the nation’s largest publishing company dedicated to the local foods movement, in 2002
Cheryl Alters Jamison, James Beard Award winner, well-known cookbook author and one of the country’s foremost authorities on barbecue, grilling and smoke cooking

In addition to an Overall Winner as chosen by the judges’ panel, attendees will determine the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD by casting their ballot after tasting all the burgers. Each winning chef will receive a $500 cash prize and $500 to award to their favorite charity. The cook-off will take place at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion in the Railyards on September 9 starting at 4:00pm.

Date: September 9, 2016
Early Entry Tickets at 4pm * General Public 5:00 – 8:00pm

Location: Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion at the Santa Fe Railyards

Information: www.ediblesmackdown.com

LIBATIONS will be provided by Duel Brewing, New Mexico Hard Cider, Second Street Brewery, and Whole Foods.

Additional Vendors will round out the offerings with samplings that compliment the Smack down. Vendors include Barrio Brinery, Pristina Crystal Water, Zia Root Beer, Old Pecos Mustard, and more to be announced.

Event Sponsors that make the Smackdown possible are the New Mexico Tourism Department, Whole Foods, TOURISM Santa Fe, Southwest Grassfed Livestock Association, Simply Santa Fe, Silver Leaf Farms, Old Windmill Dairy, and 505 Southwestern.

EARLY BIRD ADMISSION: $30 ticket price includes a tasting of each of the seven finalists’ green chile cheeseburgers, a ballot to cast your vote to be counted toward the “People’s Choice Award,” a souvenir glass, one beer or cider, and entry an hour before general admission (4:00pm).

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS: $20 ticket price includes a tasting of each of the seven finalists’ green chile cheeseburgers, a ballot to cast your vote to be counted toward the “People’s Choice Award,” and a souvenir glass. Beer and wine samples available at vendor’s discretion, full servings can be purchased via drink tickets at the event. Doors open at 5:00pm.

KIDS ADMISSION TICKETS: $5 ticket price includes a tasting of each of the seven finalists’ green chile cheeseburgers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT EDIBLESMACKDOWN.COM TO INTERVIEW SMACKDOWN DIRECTOR STEPHANIE CAMERON, PLEASE EMAIL: stephanie@ediblesantafe.com OR CALL: 505.818.9582

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