Battle of the Burgers
Pechanga Resort Casino | Saturday, October 10, 2026
SUMMIT C BALLROOM | 12PM-3PM
In this epic competition for the Best Burger & Loaded Fries, Temecula Valley's culinary talent took center stage. Local restaurants served their best burgers in pursuit of the Best Burger title, while TVUSD CTE students joined forces with Pechanga chefs to craft loaded fry creations worthy of the Best Loaded Fries crown. And, the results are in! Check out the press release for more details about the winners & proceeds.
2026 Winners for "Best Burger"
Judges' Choice

1st Place
"Banh Mi Burger"
Corkfire Kitchen at Temecula Creek Inn
2nd Place: Rad to the Bone, Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill
3rd Place: Truffle Wagyu Haystack Bacon Cheeseburger, Hendo's Barrel House
Peoples' Choice

1st Place
"Dynamite Burger"
The Breakfast Club
2nd Place: Rad to the Bone, Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill
3rd Place: Ray's Burger, The Pinnacle at Falkner Winery
2026 Winners for "Best Loaded Fries"
Judges' Choice

1st Place
"The Olympian"
Paisano's, Chef Edward Hyman, students Abner Yat and Sebastian Pablo Tomas
2nd Place: "S'mores Sweet Potato Fries" - Kelsey's, Chef Ryan Stickel, students Angelina Rossetti, Riley McDougall, Jax Williams, Liam Mader
3rd Place: "Fuego Blast" - Journey's End, Chef Jordan Garcia, students Olivia Sanchez, Andia Shirvani
Peoples' Choice

1st Place
"Jamaican-Me-Hungry"
Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar, Chef Chuck Adkins & Chef John Diton, students Hailey Tronti, Raleigh Kay, Michael Sullin, Evan Crisp
2nd Place: "S'mores Sweet Potato Fries" - Kelsey's, Chef Ryan Stickel, students Angelina Rossetti Riley McDougall, Jax Williams, Liam Mader
3rd Place: "Fuego Blast" - Journey's End, Chef Jordan Garva, students Olivia Sanchez, Andia Shirvani
2026 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
CORKFIRE
CRUSH & BREW
EBULLITION BREW WORKS PUB & GRILL
HENDO'S BARREL HOUSE
MAD MADELINE'S GRILL
PINNACLE AT FALKNER WINERY
THE BREAKFAST CLUB OF TEMECULA
THE GAMBLING COWBOY
Benefiting CTE of Temecula Valley Unified School District
The Culinary Arts pathway at Temecula Valley High School is one of 12 different pathways offered through TVUSD.
The mission of Career Technical Education is to provide industry-linked programs and services that enable ALL students to reach their career goals in order to achieve economic self-sufficiency, compete in the local, state, and global marketplace, and contribute to the economic prosperity of their communities.


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2025 Winners for "Best Burger"
Judges' Choice

1st Place: Ebullition Brew Works Pub & Grill
2nd Place: Luke’s on Front
3rd Place: Corkfire Kitchen
Peoples' Choice

1st Place: Corkfire Kitchen
2nd Place: 8 Bit Brewing Company
3rd Place: Crush & Brew
2025 Winners for "Best Loaded Fries"
Judges' Choice

1st Place: Banquets, Pechanga Resort Casino
2nd Place: Temptations Food Court, Pechanga Resort Casino
3rd Place: Kelsey’s, Pechanga Resort Casino
Peoples' Choice

1st Place: Temptations Food Court, Pechanga Resort Casino
2nd Place: Kelsey’s, Pechanga Resort Casino
3rd Place: Journey’s End, Pechanga Resort Casino