Top Chicagoland chefs face off at Culinary Fight Club’s Bougie Burger Battle in Long Grove

Culinary Fight Club returns to Long Grove for its Season XI competition, The Bougie Burger Battle, where some of Chicagoland’s most talented chefs, pitmasters, culinary instructors, and private chefs will compete to create the ultimate gourmet burger.

Guests will sample every burger, vote for their favorite in the Taster’s Choice competition, and watch a panel of judges crown the Bougie Burger Champion.

The event will take place from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove. Tickets are $45.

Chefs scheduled to compete include:

• Bridget Mooney, executive chef, Levy Restaurants

• Patrick Moody, head chef, Nature's Market

• Jamie Bisioulis, executive chef/owner, Pretty Apron Cooking (formerly Fire Thyme)

• Lance Schmidt, chef, Deer Path Inn

• Gerri Clay, private chef

• Brian Calhoun, chef/pitmaster, Weez's Groovin' BBQ

• Nicholas Dovel, pitmaster, Lake Forest Fire Department

• Steven Singer, executive sous chef, Michigan Shores Club

• Steven Zabel, corporate executive chef, Performance Food Service Chicago

• Victor Martinez, chef instructor, Unite Here Chicago Hospitality Program

• Mike Janota, pitmaster, Wagon Wheel BBQ

• Chris Allen, executive chef, Birdies & Brews

• Dequandre Williams, executive chef, Signature Plate Catering

• Sarai Maynie, private chef

Admission includes tastings from all competing chefs, audience voting privileges, and a front-row seat to the live culinary showdown. The event brings together culinary professionals from across the Chicago region to showcase creativity, technique, and bold flavors in a spirited competition.

The top competitors will earn a chance to advance toward the Culinary Fight Club Championship, making this one of the most anticipated stops on the organization's national competition circuit.

Culinary Fight Club is a national organization hosting live cooking competitions across 27 states and 38 cities. At each event, contestants — ranging from home cooks to executive chefs — have just 45 seconds to race through the pantry and select from a limited array of fresh ingredients. From there, they have 60 minutes to create a gourmet dish that showcases their take on the monthly theme. The audience and judges then cast their votes to crown the winning plate.

Every Culinary Fight Club event gives back to Fight2Feed, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with top restaurants, food brands, and distributors to fight hunger by providing meals and support to men, women and children in need. Visit fight2feed.org.

For tickets and additional information, visit culinaryfightclub.com.