UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Chef Jeff Varcoe, managing chef of Findlay Commons, is in a fierce and heated competition. With less than a month to go, Penn State currently sits in 6th place and has a chance to win, but needs help.
Through the James Beard Foundation (JBF), college and university food services from across the country are competing to see who can create the best "Blended Burger" for the JBF Blended Burger Project Campus Edition.
According to the competition website, "colleges and universities nationwide will be featuring 'blended burgers' made by combining finely chopped mushrooms with meat, creating a burger that's tastier, healthier and more sustainable. Vote for your favorite 'blended burger' below based on most creative use of mushrooms, best flavor profile and most appetizing appearance!”
Varcoe's unique creation, The Penn State Burger, is a turkey and Portobello burger with smoked cheddar cheese, bacon, sautéed onions, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and 1000 Island dressing, served on a potato bun.
Nittany Lion faithful can vote in support of the Penn State Burger until Dec. 15.