ECC culinary students primed for burger competition Nov. 13

Michael Aderman of St. Charles and Jessica Bahena and Manny Espino, both of Elgin, are the three semi-finalists from Elgin Community College's Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program set to face off for first place in the ECC-Prime BurgerHouse Burger Competition on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin.

The competition, which is free and open to the public, begins at 2 p.m. at Prime BurgerHouse on the first level. Guests do not need to enter through the casino's turnstiles or board the boat to attend the event. Admittance into the event will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Aderman's burger is slow-cooked BBQ pulled pork topped with creamy broccoli slaw on top of an 8 oz. burger. Bahena's creation features the GVC house patty topped with sharp cheddar cheese, arugula tossed in fresh-squeezed lime juice, seasoned crispy onions, Nueske's bacon and Sweet Baby Ray's Barbeque sauce with a kick of chipotle peppers. Espino enters his creation, a ground beef patty on top of fresh leaf lettuce, sliced red onions and a slice of grilled pineapple, then topped with pepper jack cheese and marinated shrimp, all between a toasted brioche bun layered with sriracha mayo.

Three finalists from two rounds of competition will prepare their burgers on-site at the casino and their creations will be judged by a professional panel.

The first-place winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship and have his or her burger featured on Prime BurgerHouse's menu.

The second-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and the third-place winner will receive a scholarship of $500.

Competition winners will receive their award directly from the ECC Foundation as a credit to their student account.

All three finalists will also receive a chef's coat, hat, and apron, a Prime BurgerHouse dining certificate, a gift basket, and a certificate of participation.