United Way Oxford launches 2026 Ultimate Burger Battle

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Two Tavistock eateries are competing in the United Way Oxford 2026 Ultimate Burger Battle. Madmash Brewery & Restaurant will serve the Grand Royale (right) while Churchy’s Pub has created the Burger in a Blanket (left). Contributed photos

By Lee Griffi

Oxford County restaurants are heating up their grills this fall to compete for Ultimate Burger glory while raising funds for United Way Oxford.

For the third year in a row, the month-long culinary showdown will see local restaurants serving unique Ultimate Burger creations, donating $2 from each burger sold to United Way Oxford. The event kicked off on Nov. 1 and it combines great food with the power of giving back.

In November, restaurants will compete for three titles: Ultimate Burger of the Year (chosen by a panel of community ambassadors), People’s Choice (voted online) and Most Ultimate Burgers Sold.

This year’s lineup features a mouthwatering mix of platinum and gold-level participants, including:

• Platinum: The Mill, Charles Dickens Pub, Brickhouse Brewpub, The Cabin at UTBC, Madmash Brewery & Restaurant, Churchy’s Pub, The Copper Mug Pub, Chrissy’s Catering, P.B’s Fries, Boston Pizza Woodstock

• Gold: Boston Pizza Tillsonburg, Brunny’s Sports Bar & Grill, The Pub at Norwich Ave, Louie’s Pizza & Pasta

Sierra Construction is this year’s signature sponsor, made possible by their generous support of this community-driven event. United Way Oxford also thanks Oxford County Cattlemen’s Association for supporting local impact.

“We are so excited to be hosting Ultimate Burger Battle for its third year. We know it has been a challenging year for many local businesses, and we're incredibly grateful to have so many restaurants participating. Last year's event raised more than $20,000, and those funds made an incredible impact right here in Oxford County,” said resource development coordinator Megan Porter.

Tavistock’s Madmash won last year’s People’s Choice Award with its “Ultimate Jammin Burger.” It was created by Will Churchward, who is now the head chef at Churchy’s Pub in Tavistock. Churchward’s creation this year is called the “Burger in a Blanket,” which starts off with an 80-20 blend burger patty.

“It’s 80 per cent beef and 20 per cent bacon. It is stuffed inside a homemade cheese bun. Inside the bun is the burger patty, a mushroom, onion, garlic, thyme, mayo Dijon blend. It has a beef wellington flavour with some red wine and extra old cheese from Gunn’s Hill. It’s nice a juicy, and hopefully something a little different.”

Churchward said he’s never made anything like this before but the kitchen at the recently purchased Churchy’s doesn’t yet have the necessary ventilation or equipment to grill.   

“This is something I can do. It’s a little different than what you might expect from a cheeseburger in a contest, but it does have the properties of a burger. Even if I don’t win, it’s going to be something unique people I think will really enjoy.”

He added the recipe just came to him recently while watching TV.

“I’ve never had a beef wellington in my life, and I was looking at recipes, but I didn’t want to call it that because I’m not using puff pastry. It’s in a bun instead, and that’s the more cheeseburger side to it.”   

The Madmash creation this year is called the “Grand Royale.”

“We took a juicy quarter-pound smash patty and gave it the crown it deserves. Rich melted Havarti, crispy bacon, delicate crispy leeks and a luxurious spread of sweet fig jam to bring it all together,” said owner Jon Ross. “The true crowning glory is the bun; a warm, buttery, flaky croissant that holds this sweet and savoury masterpiece together.

“Undeniably majestic.”

Ross said, jokingly, the pressure to repeat is immense.

“The entire kitchen has been on edge, which isn't ideal with sharp knives around. I saw one lad trying to sharpen a whisk yesterday. Next, they’ll try to mop the floor with meat pie filling! But in all seriousness, the team has been meticulously crafting this beast. We did have a massive scare Thursday – our custom croissant buns were delayed to Nov. 5, but our supplier, Morton's, pulled off a miracle.”

Cooks Mack and Austin came up with the idea and pulled from traditional Scottish staples like leeks and figs and added a French twist to the bun.

“France and Scotland actually share a deep culinary and historical bond going back centuries to the Auld Alliance. (Co-owner) Chad and I threw in our feedback, so it was truly a collaborative scran, top to bottom, just like everything at Madmash,” Ross said.

Burger lovers can vote for their favourite burger online at www.unitedwayoxford.ca/burgerbattle. The top burger will earn the coveted People’s Choice title.

Participants can also pick up the Ultimate Burger Battle Passport at participating restaurants to track their tastings. Those who try five or more burgers and return their passport to United Way Oxford will be entered for a chance to win a Burger Battle Ambassadorship for next year.

To learn more, visit www.unitedwayoxford.ca/burgerbattle or follow @unitedwayoxford and @uwburgerbattleoxford on social media.