BILOXI, Miss. – MGM Resorts International’s Beau Rivage is participating in the James Beard Foundation’s (JBF) Blended Burger Project™, a nationwide contest and challenge to make a "blended burger" by blending ground meat with finely chopped mushrooms to create a delicious, healthier, and more sustainable burger. Beau Rivage Executive Chef Kristian Wade has chosen to feature the Landmass Burger to showcase a healthier burger from now until July 31, 2017. The mushroom burger features a succulent blend of New Orleans barbecue sauce and Alabama white sauce, and affectionately gets its name from a Weather Channel forecaster’s description of the Mississippi Gulf Coast – the landmass between New Orleans, La. and Mobile, Ala. Built atop a fresh, toasty homemade bun, the Landmass burger also features a smoky, grilled double-patty, American cheese, Mississippi Tomato Fondue, caramelized onions, and crispy bread and butter pickles. Blending meat with mushrooms reduces calories, fat, and sodium while adding important nutrients like vitamin D, potassium, and B vitamins. A blended burger also brings more sustainable, plant-based items to menus allowing Americans to enjoy the taste and flavor of the burgers they love, knowing it’s a healthier and more sustainable preparation. Wade’s motivation to enter the Blended Burger Project is based on a moment of inspiration he had at a recent conference. “I attended the Re-Think Food Conference at the Culinary Institute of America in Greystone, California, and had a defining moment as a chef,” Wade said. “The thought of not being able to feed the world’s population 50 years from now was eye-opening and scary for me. It made me realize that it is my responsibility to take this crisis on, starting with myself and the chefs who work with me. When I read the e-mail for the Blended Burger Project this summer, I said to myself this is a perfect opportunity to bring awareness of sustainable food sources to our staff and guests.” Here’s how diners can vote and support Chef Kristian Wade and the Blended Burger Project™:
Visit jamesbeard.org/blendedburgerproject, search for the Landmass Burger photo, and cast vote
Visit Beau Rivage’s Terrace Café between now and July 31 and ask for the Landmass Burger
Post a photo of the Landmass Burger to social media with the hashtags #blendedburgerproject and #BeauRivage to spread the word
When the contest concludes at 11:59pm EST on July 31st, 2017, the five (5) chefs with the most online votes will win a trip to the historic James Beard House in New York City where they will showcase their blended burgers at an exclusive event in 2018.
New this year, customers who vote for their favorite blended burger online will also be entered to win an all-expenses paid trip for two to the 2018 Blended Burger event at the James Beard House. Diners are encouraged to experience Chef Wade’s Landmass Burger 24 hours a day in Beau Rivage’s Terrace Café. Surrounded by the garden-like interior plantings that enhance the entrance of the resort, the intimate and airy restaurant gives diners a prime view of the hustle and bustle without being in the middle of the fray. From all day breakfast to oversized salads, sandwiches, fish and pastas, this contemporary American bistro style offers a variety of entrees that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates. Visit jamesbeard.org/blendedburgerproject for a list of participating restaurants and follow #blendedburgerproject on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.