Tucker Meat Market owner Andrea Woolf, after placing third in 2023, is trying to bring the title of the World Burger Champion home at the World Food Championship in Indianapolis, IN. in early November.
Woolf lost by two points to Team Burger France and Crissy Pub Style at last year’s competition in Dallas. Her Korean BBQ burger beat two other entries from Korea to snag third and ensure an invitation to this year’s competition.
Woolf’s Korean burger, served on a green onion bun, was accompanied by homemade kimchi and aioli, with the meat containing a plethora of ingredients including a pureed Asian pear.
This year, Woolf is determined to “claim what is ours” and take home the international burger crown and the $7,500 prize.
“My goal is to win the burger competition and then compete with the other category winners in the World Food Champion competition in March,” Woolf said. “I want to be the world champion.”
The upcoming competition, along with burgers, includes categories such as bacon, barbecue, dessert, rice and noodles, seafood, soup, and vegetarian. Woolf said she believes the burger category is one of the most difficult because of its narrow definition.
“In the end you still have to have a burger on the plate,” she said. “The parameters are much smaller than the others.”
Last year’s burger competition’s theme was “International,” and this year’s is “Extreme,” which Woolf is now contemplating as she creates her entry. While the other ingredients are still to be determined, Woolf said it will be a version of a bacon overload burger, one of the specialty items on her menu.
The market, which also operates as a traditional butcher shop, sells burgers and a variety of wings. Other specialty dishes include mammoth burgers, hot dogs, turkey burgers, and BLT sandwiches.
At the World Food Championships, chefs are provided a cooking station and a couple of pots and pans. The rest, including utensils, ingredients, and even paper towels must be supplied by the contestants, which makes the cost of competing substantial.
In addition, participating in the event is a financial hit for Woolf, who operates the store, located at 2187 Brockett Road, with just one other employee.
“In order to compete, I have to close the shop for a week, so it’s a double-edged sword,” she said. “We are hoping that people may want to donate to help us offset the costs, which are about $5,000.”
Donations can be made through Cashapp ($Andreawoolf), Venmo (@Andrea-Woolf) or dropped at the store. People making donations at the store will receive a “thank-you” bonus.
