Battle of the Burgers total proceeds grew by more than 50 percent from 2024

More than 400 attendees and an esteemed panel of judges selected Temecula Valley’s Best Burger and Best Loaded Fries at the 2025 Battle of the Burgers competition held at Pechanga Resort Casino on Saturday, October 18. This fun, tasty competition gave Temecula Valley restaurants the opportunity to vie for “Best Burger” while providing hands-on training for local high school culinary arts students.

Battle of the Burgers is a collaboration between Visit Temecula Valley, Pechanga Resort Casino, and the Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD). All event proceeds benefit the TVUSD Career Technical Education (CTE) Culinary Arts Program. Total proceeds for the event were $12,000, nearly 50 percent more than what was raised in 2025.

The Victors: Best Burger

Judge's Choice

  • First Place: The Rez Burger, Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill. Jalapeno buffalo patty with Monterey Jack and house spicy aioli, Ortega chili, red onion, and tomato on a brioche bun
  • Second Place: Wham Bam Thank You Jam, Luke’s on Front. Half-pound grass-fed beef patty topped with lettuce, tomatoes, roasted jalapenos, onions, garlic aioli, cream cheese, bacon, and onion straws.
  • Third Place: The Smokehouse Burger, Corkfire Kitchen. Caramelized onions, Texas-style brisket, smoked cheddar, and chipotle BBQ sauce.

People's Choice

  • First Place: The Smokehouse Burger, as above.
  • Second Place: Wagyu Burger, 8 Bit Brewing Company. Two Hook & Cleaver Wagyu smash patties, grilled onions, American cheese, green leaf lettuce, tomato, pickles, house spread, seeded brioche bun.
  • Third Place: The Brew Burger, Crush & Brew. All beef patty, beer-braised mushrooms, Swiss cheese, Crush & Brew sauce, brioche bun.

These award-winning burgers are available for purchase at the winning restaurants through December 31, 2025.

Fully Loaded: Best Loaded Fries

Several Chefs from Pechanga Resort Casino worked side-by-side with student culinary teams to create one-of-a-kind French fry creations for the event. (Note: These special dishes are not available on regular restaurant menus.)

Judge's Choice

  • First Place: Taste of Asia, Banquets, Pechanga Resort Casino. Five-spice chicken, smoked hot honey, spicy mayo, cucumber relish. Chef: Ronald Sanchez, Students: Adrian Torres and Andia Shirvani.
  • Second Place: Mexican Street Corn Asada Fries, Temptations Food Court, Pechanga Resort Casino. Roasted corn, tajin & chili powder, pickled jalapeno, Mexican crema, cotija cheese, carne asada, creamy chili lime sauce. Chef: Jessica Diaz. Students: Sophia Goodin, Patty Rico, Megan Ta.
  • Third Place: Smoked Carne Asada Fries, Kelsey’s, Pechanga Resort Casino. Chef: Nicholas LaFarga. Students: Deyna Rodriguez, Jaydan Colgan.

People's Choice

  • First Place: Mexican Street Corn Asada Fries, as above.
  • Second Place: Smoked Carne Asada Fries, as above.
  • Third Place: Tex Mex BBQ Pulled Pork Fries, Journey’s End, Pechanga Resort Casino. Chef: Jordan Garcia. Students: Tyler Scira, Brianna Cornejo, Myles Ortiz, Ash Chappel.

Competing restaurants were as follows:

  • 8 Bit Brewing Company
  • Corkfire Kitchen
  • Crush & Brew
  • Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill
  • Luke’s on Front
  • The Smok’d Hog

Voters made their selections in two main categories: Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice. The panel of judges included the following:

Meanwhile, ticketholders submitted ballots for the People's Choice category winners.

“We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Visit Temecula Valley and Pechanga Resort Casino,” said Jenni Huter, CTE Work-Based Learning Facilitator at TVUSD. “This wonderful event gives our CTE high school culinary students a fantastic opportunity to work side-by-side with professional chefs and helps prepare them for careers in the culinary and hospitality fields. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

About the Temecula Valley Unified School District CTE Program 

Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways are a series of sequential elective courses available to all students that combine academic, technical, and employability skills. Many of these courses offer students the opportunity to earn free college credit and/or industry certifications. All CTE courses engage students in hands-on, interactive work-based learning that will help to prepare them for high skill, high wage, and in demand careers. For more information visit https://www.tvusd.k12.ca.us/domain/11583 or on Instagram.

About Pechanga Resort Casino

Pechanga Resort Casino offers the one of the most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted best casino outside of Las Vegas by Newsweek and the only resort/casino rated on Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Resorts Readers’ Choice 2024. Rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,500 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa, and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination unrivaled in California. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHANGA or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on X @PechangaCasino. Pechanga Resort Casino is open 24 hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino.

About Visit Temecula Valley 

Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(6) destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism-related businesses including wineries, restaurants, breweries, retail and specialty boutiques, hotels, short-term rentals, and more. It is a popular Southern California destination that includes Temecula Valley Wine Country, Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort Casino. In 2019, Wine Enthusiast named Temecula Valley a 10 Best Wine Travel Destination in the world. For more information visit http://www.visittemeculavalley.com.