TRU Alumni & Friends in partnership with the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism (ACT) held the first ever Burger Battle, an event that had some of the best local chefs battling it out to be named the ultimate burger champion.

Chef Corey Davison was crowned winner, with student Brendon Gulbra as his sous chef.

Ultimate burger champion Corey Davison

The event was a huge success with over 90 alumni and friends coming out to taste test and vote for their favourite burger in what was an epic culinary throw down. Davison took home the top spot with his take on a chicken slider while chef Adam B Florence and student chef Amy Wiebe came in a close second with their fish slider.

“I’m very pleased with this event and it was fantastic to see so many of our alumni and friends back on campus and making new connections,” said Rob Hood, dean of ACT.

“This was a great step towards recognizing that our alumni are actively engaged and making a contribution to the community. This is further evidence of the value of obtaining a degree in tourism.”

Rounding out third and fourth place were chef Brody White with student Kyle Shore, and chef Rob Stewart with student Brianna VanderMeulen.

Chefs were hand picked as alumni of the Culinary Arts Program who are currently working in Kamloops. Each was assigned a protein of either beef, chicken, fish or veggie and guests spent the evening tasting and voting for their favourite.

“This was a great event, I had an awesome time,” said Brooke Madley, tourism alumna. “I think a burger battle is a fun way to bring together a bunch of different people and to taste some great food.”

The sold-out event was such a success that it will likely be the start of bigger things to come.