Monterey Mushrooms' Mike O'Brien Talks the Better Burger Project
WATSONVILLE, CA - You thought the burger could not be improved upon, but this summer, the Mushroom Council and the James Beard Foundation is going to give it a shot.
The Mushroom Council and the James Beard Foundation have announced their Better Burger Project, an in-restaurant menu promotion that strives to improve the burger by blending ground meat with finely chopped mushrooms, creating a more delicious, healthy, and sustainable burger. The James Beard Foundation is inviting restaurants and chefs all across the country to participate by featuring a “Better Burger” on their menus.
The Better Burger Project registration has opened for the contest beginning on Memorial Day. The James Beard Foundation and Mushroom Council are currently educating chefs and encouraging participation. Sign up for the contest at www.betterburgerproject.org.
"People are changing their diets for health reasons. That’s where the blend comes in. Flavor! Mushrooms happen to be one of those lucky foods that take on a broth-like or meaty flavor,” said Mike O’Brien, Monterey Mushrooms’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
The Better Burger Project™ highlights the health and sustainability of mushrooms. According to a press release from the Mushroom Council, 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.
“If you’re looking to keep off the pounds, adding mushrooms to your ground beef could help. Since mushrooms are considered a low-energy-density food. You’ll get fewer calories, less fat, and sodium in larger food portions,” O’Brien continued.
Participating chefs will put their burger creations on menus from Memorial Day to July 31. Consumers can participate by visiting Better Burger Project restaurants, ordering, and instagraming photos of their “Blend” burgers using #betterburgerproject. The five chefs with the most Instagram posts will be sent to New York City to prepare their Blend burgers for the James Beard Foundation conference opening reception.
For more resources to encourage chefs and operators to participate use the attached information sheet or visit the Mushoom's Council's Better Burger Website here.
