By Wil Crews
sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
OPELIKA —
Calling all grillers. The annual cheeseburger-cooking competition, “Burger Wars,” is set for June 4 and applications are now open to the public.
Hosted by Opelika Rotary and sponsored by Auburn-Opelika Tourism, the eighth annual Burger Wars is the premiere grilling competition in the area.
Burger Wars welcomes competitors in three divisions: Tailgaters, Corporate and Pros. Pro Grillers include restaurants, Corporate grillers are local business and Tailgaters are your typical backyard masters. Registration for Tailgaters is $25, Corporate registration is $100 and Pro registration is $150.
Grillers will be scored on three categories: appearance, originality and taste; four judges will be randomly assigned to each category. The top-three winners of each category will receive a monetary prize and trophy. Plus, for the first time ever this year, each category will have a crowd favorite voted on by everyone in attendance.
Funds generated by Burger Wars support the Opelika Rotary Charitable Foundation. The primary beneficiary is the Food Bank of East Alabama Backpack Program for food-insecure children.
For all details, visit Opelika Rotary’s website: www.opelikarotaryclub.com. For griller sign-ups: www.docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd12FARlc4m78DrisARV629yVPZVdhPoVvnDAID1EmvKKmQdQ/viewform, or visit the Facebook page @burgerwarsopelika.
Tickets for tasting will go on sale the day of the event for $2 each. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and continue as long as burgers last.