ECC students compete to build better burger
Students in Elgin Community College's Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program will sear their way to scholarships totaling $3,500 at the second annual ECC-Prime BurgerHouse Burger Competition on Thursday, Oct. 28 at the Grand Victoria Casino. The competition, which is free and open to the public, begins at 2 p.m. in the Fox River Room located in the pavilion on the second level of the casino, at 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin.
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 done on a first-come, first-served basis.
Jim Thomason, general manager of the Grand Victoria Casino, says the “fresh, unique, and exciting entries during last year's competition prompted the casino to hold the contest annually. He says the contest is a win-win for ECC and Grand Victoria.
When we launched Prime BurgerHouse in December 2009, we sought ECC's partnership in a burger competition because we were confident that their culinary students would rise to the challenge of providing innovative, out-of-the-box menu ideas for the restaurant, Thomason says. “The students exceeded our expectations.
Six finalists Rosemary Arquinego of Streamwood, Steven Droesch of South Elgin, Gregory Fischer of Streamwood, Monique Golden-Garcia of Elgin, Jana Heckel of Gilberts and Bernard LoMonaco of Bartlett were the best of among more than 100 burger entries following two rounds of competition.
On Oct. 28, the finalists will prepare their burgers on-site at the casino, and their creations will be judged by a panel of experts. The first-place winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship and have his or her burger on the menu at Prime BurgerHouse for one year. The second-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and the third-place winner will receive a scholarship of $500.
Guests at the event will enjoy complimentary samples of Prime BurgerHouse's gourmet burgers and milkshakes including the Bailout Burger created by 2009 winner Harry Park. Guests also can compete for prizes, including gift certificates good at any Grand Victoria restaurant.