Local hospitality venues who really know their onions when it comes to a ubiquitous menu item have fired up their competition grills for the second year.
Burger Nelson Tasman had a “huge success” in 2025, with 24 gourmet and crowd favourites vying for the inaugural title, and winter customer numbers beefed up alongside.
Hospitality New Zealand manager of the Nelson Tasman branch and Burger Nelson Tasman facilitator Zinnia Foster says 32 entries across 31 participating venues are being served up for the public to grill and vote online.
She says, the variety and burger quality really stacks up this year, and both returning and first-time participating venues had been chomping at the bit for the 15 June start date.
“A lot of people have really stepped up, so I imagine the contest is going to be pretty tight,” she says.
“The feedback from the operators and the guests last year was amazing, so we felt that we had no choice but to bring the competition back this year, bigger and better.
“It’s a tough environment for people at the moment and discretionary spending is down, but it gets people out from underneath their heat pumps at home and supporting their local venues, and there’s some very tasty burgers to try.”
Zinnia says that a Burger Nelson Tasman passport has been introduced to reward those who are keen as mustard to sample each burger.
Each one devoured earns a passport sticker, with a chance to win a trip for two to Wellington once six stickers are collected.
Alioke Eatery in The Meadows has entered the fray with its breakfast burger, a “pretty popular” choice for nearly three years at the “never quiet” joint.
Assembled by co-owner Marc Hunter, it features a meat patty, bacon, egg, caramelised onion, and tomato, with onion rings on top and a side of hash brown sticks.
Marc’s wife and co-owner Alison Kerridge says that the sizzling combination won’t make a hash of their winning chances.
“Of course, you have to say that [we will win],” she says.
“We thought it would be a good option, and [Burger Nelson Tasman] would be a bit of fun to be involved with.”
Tides prawn creation enters burger battle
Tides Bar & Eatery is swimming against the tide with its Burger Nelson Tasman entry, and the public vote will determine whether it is in fact a star.
Assembled by sous chef Kelly Biggs, the gourmet Prawn Star is one of 32 burgers vying to shell its rivals for the second year’s crown.
Tides head chef Richard Crawford says the idyllic venue entered a beer burger in 2025, and the Prawn Star has “proven to be more popular”.
The burger features a crumbed prawn and fish patty, lemon pickle dressing and melted ViaVio smoked cheese, served with kūmara and battered fries.
“We've had some great feedback, and we're selling between 10 and 15 a day, lunch and dinner. It's really a bit of a star dish,” he enthuses.
“It’s only on the menu for the competition at the moment, so it may stay longer afterwards.
“I've seen some of the other entries, and there's quite a lot of good competition there, it’s like the world cup of burgers, so I hope that we do well.”
The public can try the entries and vote for their favourites until 12 July, with winners announced on 21 July.
Visit: www.burgernelsontasman.nz for the full list and further details.
