Fattso at the National Burger Awards
Crafting the perfect burger is no small feat, but our head chef Hamish made it look effortless at the UK National Burger Awards, securing a well-deserved 1st place finish. With a combination of culinary skill, dedication, and a love for quality ingredients, Hamish proved that a smash burger can be both classic and exceptional. But what goes into making an award-winning burger?
Starting with the Best Ingredients
A world-class burger begins with world-class ingredients. For Hamish, that means selecting beef with just the right fat content to deliver flavour and tenderness. It's not just about the meat, though. Every element of the burger, from the buns to the sauces, is chosen with care and crafted to perfection.
Smashing for Flavour
The secret to Hamish’s signature smash burger lies in technique. Using a searing hot cast-iron skillet, he seasons the beef patties simply with salt before smashing them onto the hot surface with a spatula. This process creates a thin, crispy crust on each side of the patty, thanks to the Maillard reaction—a process that deepens the flavour profile while keeping the inside juicy.
Building a Solid Foundation
While the patties cook, Hamish turns his attention to the buns. He toasts buttery brioche buns until they’re golden and slightly crisp, creating the perfect base for his creation. A generous layer of his handmade Lea & Perrins mayo is spread on the bottom bun, ready to bring richness and tang to every bite.
Layers of Flavour
Hamish is meticulous when it comes to layering flavours. Our award-winning, the Oklahoma, features malt pickled onions, brown butter confit onions, and a perfectly melted medley of American cheese, Ogleshield, and Gruyère. Each ingredient brings something unique to the table—savoury, sweet, tangy, and buttery flavours work together in harmony.
The Final Assembly
Once the patties and toppings are ready, Hamish assembles his masterpiece. The juicy, flavour-packed patties are placed carefully on the sauce-laden bottom bun. Fresh lettuce and tomato are added for crunch and freshness, and the top bun crowns the creation. Finally, Hamish skewers it all together with a pickle—simple, delicious, and iconic.
A Well-Deserved Award
The final product is nothing short of perfection. Juicy, full of texture, and packed with flavour, Hamish’s smash burger stood out in a competition filled with fierce rivals, many of whom had won in previous years.
The UK National Burger Awards bring together some of the best burger chefs in the country, each showcasing their creativity with unique ingredients, techniques, and presentations. Hamish stood tall in this competition by staying true to his vision of a classic burger done exceptionally well. His dedication to high-quality ingredients and attention to detail earned him a spot among the top three.
A Classic Burger, Elevated
Hamish's success reminds us that great food doesn’t need to be overly complicated. With skill, care, and top-notch ingredients, he redefined what a smash burger can be. This achievement cements his place as one of the country’s premier burger chefs and leaves us all craving that perfectly cooked, award-worthy bite.
If you haven’t tried Hamish’s award-winning smash burger yet, now’s the time. One taste, and you’ll understand why he’s setting the standard for burgers across the UK.
