On, Friday September 24th was the Chicago Gourmet Food and Wine Festival’s Hamburger Hop. Chefs Art Smith and Cat Cora hosted the competition for the best burger in Chicago. The event took place at Harris Theatre’s Rooftop Terrace and cost $75.

The Judges hard at work (pic courtesy of Andrew Kaplan)

The judges for the event were French Laundry owner Thomas Keller, Bon Appetit Editor-in-Chief Barbara Fairchild, Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret, SoBe & NY Wine and Food Festival director Lee Schrager, Blue Moon creator Keith Villa, and WXRT Radio host Lin Brehmer. Guests were issued a Blue Moon beer bottle cap to vote for their favorite burger of the night (People’s Choice Award). There were 15 participants who are listed below:

John Coletta: Quartino
Meg Colleran-Sahs: Terzo Piano
Federico Comacchio: Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush
Radhika Desai: English
Dirk Flanigan: The Gage
Kevin Hickey: Seasons, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
John Hogan: Keefer’s
Stephanie Izard: The Girl & The Goat
Eddie Lakin: Edzo’s Burger Shop
Ryan LaRoche: NoMI
Stephan Lawhorn: Palmer Place
Chad Starling: aria
Carol Wallack: Sola
Brian Wright: Rosebud Restaurants
Stu Zirin: D.S. Tequila Company

People’s Choice (pic courtesy of Andrew Kaplan)

Hamburger Hop Champ (pic courtesy of Andrew Kaplan)

The People’s Choice award went to Kevin Hickey of the Four Seasons for his burger topped with lobster while NoMI chef Ryan LaRoche won the judges votes (and the title Hamburger Hop champ) with his Wagyu burger with smoked-tomato aioli on a ciabatta bun.

(check out Lee Schrager’s Blog for more pics )