Record Crowds Lead to Record Donation from Delaware Burger Battle to Emmanuel Dining Room

The grills have cooled, the smoke has cleared. Three champions have been crowned, and all that remains of the 2014 Delaware Burger Battle is a $10,000 check for the Ministry of Caring’s Emmanuel Dining Room, which festival organizers delivered on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Delaware Burger Battle founder JulieAnne S. Cross presented the check to Brother Miguel Ramirez, program director of Emmanuel Dining Room, and Priscilla Rakestraw, development director for the Ministry of Caring. Cross was joined by Sam Hobbs and Carol Tedesco of Twin Lakes Brewing Co., sponsors and providers of the home turf for the battle, and Tommy Abel and Matt Sullivan, members of the Delaware Burger Battle organizing committee. The committee also included Stefanie Roselle, Eric Aber, Chrissy Donahue and Jimmy Horty.

Over three years, burger battles have raised more than $21,000 for the Ministry of Caring.

“The Delaware Burger Battle, to me, represents the goodness of the community, making it possible for us to provide such a basic human service every day,” Brother Miguel said. “We have tremendous appreciation and give thanks, because without this coming together of restaurants and people, we couldn’t remain open and cover basic costs.”

“This level of donation enables us to provide thousands of meals for men, women and especially children, many of whom visit Emmanuel Dining Room each morning for breakfast before school.”

Everyone behind the Battle donated time, energy and (in the case of the 17 competing restaurants) burgers to support the important and necessary work of the Emmanuel Dining Room. The Delaware Burger Battle was generously sponsored and presented by the Kenny Family Foundation.

The restaurants in the 2014 lineup included BBC Tavern and Grill, Cantwell’s Tavern, Chelsea Tavern, Deer Park Tavern, Drip Café, Ernest & Scott Taproom, Kildare’s Irish Pub, La Fia, The Meat House, Nage, Pizza by Elizabeths, Redfire Grill + Steakhouse, Rose & Crown, Skipjack, Tutto Fresco Restaurant, Ulysses American Gastropub and World Café Live.

For a list of winners, visit facebook.com/deburgerbattle.

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