The Great Husband & Wife Hamburger Cook Off

The first ever hamburger cook off was a challenge I couldn’t resist. Chris and I each had our own recipes, our own strategies, and one kitchen to battle it out in.

1. The challenge is set

I challenged Chris to a hamburger cook off, and he accepted with a recipe he admitted was inspired by America’s Test Kitchen. 

I, on the other hand, claimed mine was completely original—even if the timing made it look otherwise. The rules were simple: we’d each make our hamburgers at the same time, then let the family taste and vote for their favorite.

2. Aprons off, game on

Neither of us needed aprons, so we jumped right in. The stove, the grill, and the counters were fair game, and I had a plan for how I wanted to cook mine. 

Chris had his own way, and we were determined not to copy each other, though that didn’t stop plenty of accusations flying back and forth.

3. Bacon wars begin

Soon, the bacon became the center of drama. We argued about who had which slices, whether we should share the same package, and how many pieces were really necessary. 

At one point, I thought Chris had stolen mine altogether. Cutting the bacon even became a challenge, and there was a running debate about the right knife for the job.

4. Kitchen chaos

From misplaced hamburger meat to figuring out the food processor, it felt like a comedy act more than a cook off. 

At one point, the smoke alarm went off, and accusations of cheating flew across the kitchen. Still, we pressed on, determined to make our burgers the best they could be.

5. Cowboy burgers vs. blue cheese burgers

I declared my creation would be cowboy burgers—bacon, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, and fresh toppings. 

Chris leaned into a bold choice, going for blue cheese with his mix of seasonings. Garlic powder, onion, parsley, crushed red pepper, and even a little cinnamon found their way into the process.

6. The grill and the griddle

We had to switch things up and make slider-sized burgers instead of full-sized patties, which threw off my original plan. 

Still, the sizzle of the meat on the griddle and the sound of bacon crisping up felt promising. Chris and I both guarded our “secret ingredients,” sneaking jars and spices past each other.

7. Presentation matters

When the burgers were finally done, we carefully plated them for the family to judge. We even staged a little “thumbnail photo shoot,” trying to look competitive with our burgers in hand. There were jokes, laughter, and a lot of playful rivalry as we got ready to taste.

8. The taste test

Everyone had to try both burgers and vote fairly. My burger was juicy, smoky, and full of flavor. Chris’s burger had that strong punch of blue cheese, which some loved and some thought needed a little balance, like caramelized onions or sauce. It was a tough call, and opinions were divided.

9. The final vote

Votes came in one by one. There was even an attempt at bribery—cash offered for votes—which didn’t exactly help Chris’s case. 

In the end, I won by the narrowest of margins. Both burgers had their strengths, but the cowboy burger came out on top.