Artisan Eatery is pleased to announce its participation in The James Beard Foundation’s (JBF) Blended Burger Project, a nationwide initiative that challenges chefs to make a “blended burger” by blending ground meat or other protein with finely chopped mushrooms to create a delicious, healthier, and more sustainable burger.
Artisan Eatery’s co-owner and chef Tim Yoa is joining the initiative by featuring The Forager Burger, available now through July 31. Showcasing a healthier burger option, the featured burger is made with Jackman wagyu beef, wild Florida boar, local oyster and Maitake mushroom, topped with pickled ramp, Nueske’s bacon jam and melted Comté cheese on a black garlic dusted brioche bun, available for $14.
Blending meat with mushrooms reduces calories, fat, and sodium while adding important nutrients like vitamin D, potassium, and B vitamins. A blended burger also brings more sustainable, plant-based items to menus allowing Americans to enjoy the taste and flavor of the burgers they love, knowing it’s a healthier and more sustainable preparation.
Foodies can vote on their favorite blended burgers and support the Blended Burger Project by:
- Visiting org/blendedburgerproject to view the photo of Artisan Eatery’s featured burger, as well as the gallery of blended burger photos from participating restaurants, and to cast your vote for the blended burger that best represents the most creative use of mushrooms, best flavor profile, and most appetizing appearance.
- Visiting Artisan Eatery and other participating restaurants now through July 31 (view the entire list at org/blendedburgerproject/participants) and ask for the “blended burger”.
- Posting your burger photos to social media with the hashtag #blendedburgerproject to spread the word!
In August, a prestigious panel of judges on behalf of the James Beard Foundation will review 20 restaurants receiving the most votes to select the five top winners, based on most creative use of mushrooms, best flavor profile and presentation. Judges are:
- Andrew Zimmern, TV personality, chef, writer and teacher.
- Antoinette Bruno, CEO and Editor in Chief, StarChefs.com.
- Susan Westmoreland, Culinary Director, Good Housekeeping.
Chefs from the top five restaurants will win a trip to New York City to cook their blended burger dish during a special fall event at the historic James Beard House.
For more information, contest rules or for a list of participating restaurants, visit www.jamesbeard.org/blendedburgerproject.
About Artisan Eatery
Artisan Eatery, a craft sandwich restaurant led by Philadelphia-trained chef Tim Yoa, offers delicious gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual setting. Located at 8951 Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, Artisan Eatery serves breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., lunch is available beginning at 11 a.m. and early dinner is served until 9 p.m. For more information, visit https://artisaneatery.com/ or call 239-887-4844.
About the James Beard Foundation (JBF)
The James Beard Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. For more than 30 years the Foundation has accomplished this mission through programs that highlight food’s central role in our lives. In addition to hosting guest-chef dinners throughout the year at the historic James Beard House in New York City, the Foundation administers the James Beard Awards; grants scholarships for culinary students; produces national events that include our Taste America tour; and creates educational programs for the culinary community and food lovers. The Foundation addresses the growing challenges facing our food system through its Impact Programs, which include the Leadership Awards; Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change; Issue Summits; and Culinary Labs. Industry issues, such as gender imbalance and diversity in culinary leadership, are addressed through our Industry Programs. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org and follow @beardfoundation on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
