Battle of the Burgers in Virginia-Highland Set for Saturday

Burger connoisseurs in Atlanta are gearing up for the burger contest of the year in the metro area.

More than 20 ocal restaurants will compete for the honor of best burger on Saturday at Battle of the Burgers at in Virginia-Highland.

Chefs from restaurants around Atlanta will compete for four prizes: Judges’ Choice Best Burger (meat and meatless) and Peoples’ Choice Best Burger (meat and meatless).

The event, which includes live music by Atlanta-based country duo Whiskey Belt and Atlanta rockers Life & Limb, runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. A 5K Burger Eating Run where runners build burgers at several stations set up throughout the course kicks off the day at 9 a.m.

The burgers will be judged around 6 p.m.

General admission tickets are $25 in advance for adults and give festival-goers 20 taste tickets that can be redeemed for burgers, milkshakes, fries and more. VIP tickets are available for $60 in advance and include unlimited burger bites, private bar (includes beer and wine) and private bathroom facilities.

In 2010, Judges’ Choice Best Burger winners were (meat) and (meatless). Peoples’ Choice Best Burger went to (meat) and (meatless).

Judges this year include Maura Neill from 365 Atlanta, Bill Sonnemaker from Catalyst Fitness, Chef Dan Harrar from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and several others.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Embraced, a local nonprofit that collects gently-used medical equipment and shares with local and international organizations and people in need.

Virginia-Highland and Poncey-Highland participants include , , , , Deckard’s American Tavern, , , , and .

For the full list of participating restaurants and to purchase tickets, visit the Battle of the Burgers website.