Cranbrook has answered the call — the call of burgers — and stepped up to the plate for the cause.
For the third year, March was Cranbrook Burger Month, whereby for every burger sold, five dollars are donated to a chosen charity — this year, the Canadian Mental Health Association of the Kootenays.
Twenty Cranbrook restaurants took part, the most yet. Their collective grills produced more than 6,400 burgers, in an astounding array of styles and ingredients.
It’s a win-win-win situation for Cranbrook: The restaurants sell burgers, diners enjoy the burgers, the CMHA-K gets backing.
Rae-Anne Guedes, at Encore Brewing, said Chef Doug Wagner of the Fire Hall Kitchen & Tap and Encore launched the idea in 2022 — his idea was to work with other restaurants and give back to the community during the Covid Pandemic.
Now, following its third incarnation, Cranbrook Burger Month has acquired a momentum. Twelve restaurants took part in Burger Month’s first year, 16 in the second year, and this year — its third — saw 20 restaurants take part.
A different charity is chosen each year, usually one with a focus on mental health. This year, the Canadian Mental Health Association of the Kootenays was the recipient of the funds raised — $32,265, which represents 6,453 burgers.
Keon Chung, owner of Just Music, sampled every burger at least once, often twice — an epic odyssey of dining.
“I like to eat, and why not — supporting local businesses and local charity,” he said.
“Definitely the Fenwick’s ’Schnitts & Giggles’ was one of my favourites, and the one at the HeidOut [the Gaucho Burger], the Double Smash at Dash Eatery …”
Keon’s informal group of compatriots, Burger Buddies, gathered over the course of March to enjoy burgers and good conversation. They and the hundreds of other burger afficianados tucked into 20 burgers from 20 restaurants to start the spring. These included:
The Korean Sloppy Jo at Hotshots Cate; The Gear Jammer at the Fire Hall Kitchen & Tap; Schnitts & Giggles at the Fenwick & Baker; Taco About Your Feelings at Mr. Mike’s; Fiesta Burger at Numa St. Eugene; Raspberry Gouda Bacon Burger at the Casino of the Rockies; the Blue & Bougie at Good Grub Cafe; The Encore “Would Smash” Tacos at Encore Brewing; the Big Easy at the Studio Lounge at the Heritage Inn; the Rise and Swine at the Skylight Cafe at the Heritage Inn; the Gaucho Burger at the HeidOut; Donkatsu Burger at Sushi on the Strip; the Smash from Dash at Dash Eatery; the Cranbrook Rancher at Boston Pizza; the Pineapple Sriracha Aioli Burger at Fire and Oak; and Mango Habanero Crispy Chicken Burger at Don Cherry’s; the Chicken Korma Burger at the Bayleaf; the Cowboy Burger at ABC Country Restaurant; the Di Trentan at Ella’s; and the Mediterranean Burger at Modern Olive.