St. Louis residents love a good grass-fed beef burger. They proved it Thursday night, when they came out in full force to the Burger Cook Off at the Whole Foods in Brentwood. Sponsored by Feast Magazine and Rain Crow Ranch, the free event gave chefs from six St. Louis restaurants the chance to compete for a $500 donation to the charity of their choice.

The restaurants represented in the competition included Harvest Restaurant, Robust Wine Bar, Modesto Tapas Bar and Restaurant, Local Harvest Café, Whole Foods Market, and University City’s own Winslow’s Home and Farm (7213 Delmar). 

My husband and I arrived forty-five minutes after the event began and were completely unprepared for the scene that met us at Whole Foods. Crowds of people weaved in and around each other in the small, blocked-off area in the parking lot, where all six restaurants had a tent, as well as Schlafly Beer. We jumped into line, only to be told ten minutes later that they were no long allowing people to enter the premises. Frustrated, because the event was supposed to last over another hour, we stood in place, inhaling the fumes from the grill and cringing every time we saw someone throw a bit of burger away.

Our patience paid off and we were rewarded with $5 Whole Foods gift cards for the inconvenience AND the chance to enter the competition area. We again waited in line—but this time for burgers. Of the six, we had the opportunity to sample three before all food disappeared: Local Harvest’s Farmstead Burger, Modesto’s Hamburguesa a la Española, and Winslow’s Farm Burger.

The Farmstead Burger by Local Harvest impressed us with its pickled vegetable and corn toppings. The Hamburguesa from Modesto was intriguing. In true tapas style, it was miniature and appeared to be a fried patty of sorts. Despite its lack of toppings, the pure flavor of the grass-fed beef was enough to satisfy my palate. However, it was Winslow’s Farm Burger that truly wowed me. Though I typically avoid mayo, their mayonnaise-based coleslaw that topped the burger complemented the heavily peppered beef perfectly. Along with local tomatoes and Vidalia onions, this burger exceeded all expectations and left me satisfied, despite the fact that I missed out on the other three samples.

My pick for best burger was not based on any bias I might have toward University City. When the votes were tallied, it was Winslow’s Home that walked away with the win for Best Burger (as selected by the audience). Additionally, Local Harvest Café was also declared a winner by the judges present from Feast Magazine. Slow Foods St. Louis and Missouri Rural Crisis Center were the charities of choice for Winslow’s and Local Harvest, respectively, and both will be given $500.

Given the fact that we had the chance to taste the two winning burgers, I can’t complain about our burger cook off experience. Whole Foods has certainly learned its lesson—St. Louis loves its burgers!—and I have no doubt next year’s event will be better prepared for the large crowds.

In the meantime, I think it’s time I headed to Winslow’s Home for a “Eating My Way Through University City” restaurant review. Stay tuned!