ALBUQUERQUE—The 2013 New Mexico State Fair, in association with the New Mexico Department of Tourism and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture will host the statewide Centennial Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge at the State Fair on Opening Day, Wednesday, September 11th on the north end of Main Street (north of Heritage Avenue) and in the Agriculture Building Courtyard, where judging will take place. The cooking begins at approximately 3:15 p.m., with judging to take place at approximately 4:45 p.m. The winner of the contest will be announced at approximately 5:45 p.m.

The Fair hosted the inaugural contest in 2009 after the Buckhorn Tavern in San Antonio, New Mexico garnered the state national attention on the Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.” In the episode, which aired in late July of 2009, Buckhorn owner Bobbie Olguin defeated host Bobby Flay in the battle for the best green chile cheeseburger and had viewers all over the country craving a bite of one of New Mexico’s culinary treasures.

“There’s nothing like a little fun and friendly competition to showcase the best from around New Mexico, especially when it comes to unique culinary treasures like the green chile cheeseburger,” said New Mexico State Fair General Manager Dan Mourning. “We’ve got 11 strong competitors from all across the state vying for the title, cooking up one of the foods that literally puts New Mexico on the national culinary map. And with the Fair’s 75th birthday celebration in full-swing, this Challenge is going to be very special.”

Contestants include: Ancient Way Café (Ramah, McKinley County), Sadie’s of New Mexico (Albuquerque, Bernalillo County), Big Mike’s Grill (Belen, Valencia County), Sparky Burgers (Hatch, Dona Ana County), De La Vega’s Pecan Grill & Brewery (Las Cruces, Dona Ana County), Cowgirl BBQ (Santa Fe, Santa Fe County) Rockin ‘BZ Burgers (Alamogordo, Otero County), Bravo Cucina Italiana (Albuquerque, Bernalillo County), Papa Burgers (Albuquerque, Bernalillo County), Badlands Burgers & Tortas (Grants, Cibola County), AmorStop2Eat (Espanola, Rio Arribia County)

Complete rules can be found online at:
http://exponm.com/entriescompettitions/green-chile-cheeseburger-challenge/