LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Time to grab those aprons as the finalists of the 2026 Derby Burger Challenge have been announced.
More than 55,000 people voted online for the top 4 finalists: Jeny Fernandez, of Louisville, with the Cañonero II burger; returning champion Ira Mowman, of Louisville, with the Smoke Show Slaw Cheeseburger; Jason Thrasher, of Columbia, with The Goober Burger; and Greg Yopp, of La Grange, with The Jerk burger.
Several original recipes were submitted for the challenge, using a variety of ingredients from peanut butter to plantain chips.
The winner of the 2026 Derby Burger Challenge will be decided at a final cook-off on Thursday, March 12. The burgers will be judged on taste, appearance, creativity and ease of preparation.
The winning burger will be featured at Kroger's Fest-a-Ville during the Kentucky Derby Festival and inside Kroger stores. The winning chef will receive an official 2026 Derby Festival poster, two tickets to the Louisville airport Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party, two VIP tickets to Republic Bank BourbonVille, a $100 gift certificate to Kroger, and a grilling price package from Kentucky Beef Council.
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