Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest 2025: Win $25000 Cash!

Got a legendary burger recipe that makes mouths water and grills sizzle. This is your moment. The Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest by Sutter Home is back—and with it, your chance to win $25,000 cash by doing what you do best: building burger brilliance.

This isn’t just about cooking—it’s culinary storytelling. Picture the perfect symphony of textures and flavors: toasted buns, inventive toppings, juicy patties—and a glass of Sutter Home wine to elevate it all. If your recipe turns heads and satisfies taste buds, our expert judging panel just might crown you this year’s champion and award you the grand prize.

Still crafting your creation? Dive into a trove of inspiration by exploring past winning recipes and curated Sutter Home wine pairings. Whether you lean classic, global fusion, spicy, or plant-based, it’s all about bringing your boldest burger vision to life.

Submit your entry now, fire up the grill, and step into the spotlight—because this summer, the ultimate burger bragging rights could be yours.

Limit: Participants must be 21 years or older. Participants are allowed to submit up to three different entries.

How to participate in Sutter Home Build A Better Burger Recipe Contest 2025:

First, create an original burger recipe to pair with a Sutter Home wine

Online: Visit buildabetterburger.com and complete the entry form with your legal details. Include your Recipe name, ideal Sutter Home wine pairing, patty type, bread/bun type, introduction, list of ingredients, recipe instructions, yield, and contest referral source. Include a link to a video or upload a photo of your burger preparation. It’s not mandatory but can enhance your entry. Optionally, add cooking tips or upload a photo of yourself or your burger. Click "Register Your Recipe" to finalize your entry. Ensure this step is done by July 13, 2025, to qualify.

Confirmation of Entry:

After making one-time registration, your recipe will be reviewed to make sure that your Submission obeys these Official Rules. Once your Recipe is reviewed, the confirmation email will be sent to the email address you entreated on the registration form.

Build A Better Burger Contest Finalist Selection Process

From all eligible entries, 20 recipes will be chosen by the Sponsor’s Culinary Team. These 20 recipes will be prepared and judged by the team based on the following:

• Perceived Taste Appeal (40%) – Does it sound delicious?
• Creativity (25%) – Is the recipe original and unique?
• Ease of Preparation (25%) – Can someone easily make it at home?
• Wine Pairing (10%) – Does the wine enhance the burger?

The top 5 recipes will be selected as Finalists for the National Cook-Off on October 3, 2025, at Sutter Home Winery in St. Helena, CA. In case of a tie, the highest score in "Perceived Taste Appeal" will be used to break it, followed by the next criteria in order.

All potential Finalists will be notified around August 18, 2025, and must pass a Final Review Process, including eligibility checks and a background check. Only once these steps are complete will they be confirmed as the Top 5 Finalists.

Build A Better Burger Recipe Contest 2025 Grand-Prize Winner Selection

The 5 Finalists will compete in a live cooking event on October 3, 2025, at Sutter Home Winery. Finalists must arrive on time—late or absent participants will be disqualified and possibly replaced.

The Sponsor will supply all ingredients. Finalists cannot bring their own ingredients.

During the live cook-off, a panel of at least 4 independent judges will evaluate the burgers based on:

• Taste (40%) – Is it delicious?
• Creativity (25%) – Is it one of a kind?
• Ease of Preparation (25%) – Was it easy to prepare?
• Wine Pairing (10%) – Does it go well with wine?

In the event of a tie, judges will refer to the highest score in the “Taste” category, followed by the other criteria in order. The Finalist with the highest overall score will be named the Grand-Prize Winner at the end of the event.

Build A Better Burger Contest Prizes:

One grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 cash prize.

Five National Finalist Prize will receive an exclusive trip to participate in the National Finalist Cook-Off event in St. Helena, California, which includes:

• Two nights of double occupancy hotel accommodations
• Economy-class airfare for two (2) between the Finalist’s home and a Bay Area airport (SMF, SFO, or OAK)
• Continental breakfast for two (2) daily
• One $650 pre-paid debit card to be used for meals, a rental car, or at the Finalist’s discretion

(ARV: $3500 for each)