Ultimate Burger Battle raises over $15,500 for United Way Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin
GUELPH – United Way Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin (UWGWD) celebrated its 3rd annual Ultimate Burger Battle, raising over $15,500 to fight food insecurity.
“The power of food and the power of giving back collided, and every bite gave back to our community,” said Glenna Banda, executive director of UWGWD in a news release.
“These important funds will support food insecurity programs across United Way’s From Poverty to Possibility and Rural Communities focus areas, keeping food pantries stocked, while helping to address the root causes of poverty.”
The UWGWD Ultimate Burger Battle is a month-long showdown that works to bring together local restaurants, sponsors and burger lovers to support food insecurity programs across Guelph, Wellington County and Dufferin County.
This year’s campaign, presented by Elinesky Schuett private wealth of RBC Dominion Securities, saw eight restaurants across Guelph participate, each devising a unique burger creation to sell throughout the month.
At the wrap-up event held July 8, United Way presented awards to the top performing restaurants, rewarding them for their creativity, tastiness and overall popularity.
The Top Ultimate Burger of the Year award is voted on by the Ultimate Burger Ambassadors, who spent the month visiting and tasting all of the burger creations.
Ambassadors ranked their presentation, taste, originality and overall execution. After all scores were tallied, Miijidaa Café and Bistro was awarded the top spot for their creation titled “Out to Pasture.” Their burger featured a lamb and pork patty, Brigid’s brie cheese, Saskatoon berry coulis, arugula, corn shoots and garlic aioli, served on a toasted Sienna bun.
The title of Most Ultimate Burgers Sold was also awarded to Miijidaa Café and Bistro, who sold a total of 432 “Out to Pasture” burgers.
Finally, throughout the month, community members were able to vote for their favourite Ultimate Burger, with the top three receiving the People’s Choice award.
The People’s Choice Ultimate Burger awards were given to:
– R U Serious Tap and Grill was awarded first place for their “R U Local” burger;
– Miijidaa Café and Bistro was awarded second place for their “Out to Pasture” burger; and
– Borealis Grille and Bar was awarded third place for their “Brasserie” burger.
“Eight burgers later, I’ve learned two things: our local chefs are incredibly talented, and our community is incredibly generous. While I thoroughly enjoyed my role as burger ambassador, the real winner is the impact we’re making together. Every burger purchased helped support programs that ensure people across Guelph, Wellington, and Dufferin have access to the food they need. It turns out burgers taste even better when they’re helping feed our neighbours,” said deputy minister of Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness John Kelly in a news release, who is also the 2026 United Way campaign chair and Ultimate Burger Battle ambassador.
This year’s eight participating restaurants were;
– Bar Mason, 50 Stone Road West;
– Borealis Grille and Bar, 1388 Gordon Street;
– Miijidaa Café and Bistro, 37 Quebec Street;
– Montana’s BBQ and Bar, 201 Stone Road West;
– Park Eatery, 294 Woolwich Street;
– Royal Electric Bar and Public Eatery, 52 Macdonell Street;
– R U Serious Tap and Grill, 130 Silvercreek Parkway North; and
– The Wooly Pub, 176 Woolwich Street.
“At United Way, we believe better is possible,” Banda added in the release. “Small acts of kindness – even something as simple as purchasing an Ultimate Burger – can change lives. Thanks to everyone who came together to support the Ultimate Burger Battle and ultimately our community this past month.”
Donations to United Way are accepted online at unitedwaygwd.com, by phone at 519 821 0571 or in person at the United Way office located at 255 Speedvale Avenue West.
