COOK & NELSON PRESENTS
BURGER NATION
SUMMER 2026
It’s time to fire up the grills, butter those buns, and stack your patties sky-high… because Burger Nation is back for another year of juicy competition.
Mark your calendars, burger lovers 25 February to 29 March 2026 is about to get delicious.
From towering cheeseburgers to plant-based powerhouses, crispy chicken stacks to ocean-fresh seafood creations — this is the ultimate burger battle across Aotearoa.
For five delicious weeks, venues from Cape Reinga to the Bluff will be serving up their best burgers, and it’s the public's job to eat, enjoy, and vote for your favourites.
🥒 What’s on
the Menu?
Four tasty categories: Meat, Chicken, Seafood, and Plant-Based.
Pickles, patties & plenty of pride — the people decide who takes the crown.
Supreme glory: One burger to rule them all will be crowned the Overall Supreme Winner.
Prizes, bragging rights, and burger-fuelled fame await the champions.
🔥 Join Burger Nation
Think your venue’s got the burger to beat? Or want the inside scoop on how to get involved?
Drop your email below — no spam, just the juiciest competition updates (with extra pickles).
Check out the 2025 Supreme Winner!
Introducing the Burger Nation Supreme Winner
Peake’s Kitchen
Burger Lovers! We are delighted to introduce to you the first winner of Burger Nation ‘25 - Peake's Kitchen, in Papatowai.
Run by husband-and-wife team Nicole and Tom Peake, this small but mighty food truck in The Catlins has taken the Best Meat Burger and with the most votes across all categories has won this year's Burger Nation Supreme Award.
Scroll to discover the category winners!
AND THE CATEGORY WINNERS ARE…
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Best Meat Burger - Peake’s Kitchen
Peake Beef Burger: Hand-ground juicy prime Hereford steak patty, McClure's Pickles, double cheddar cheese, Pinot Noir-pickled beetroot, fancy lettuce, creamy garlic aioli and a mustard blend, slathered generously on a grilled fluffy bun.
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Best Seafood Burger - Soul Batter
Soul Batter Fish Burger: Two pieces of fresh gem fish, shredded lettuce, tartare sauce and McClure’s pickles on a brioche bun.
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Best Chicken Burger - Sumner Social
Buffalo Chick: Crispy chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, smoked cheese, lettuce, McClure's Sweet & Spicy Pickles topped with onion rings on a brioche bun.
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Best Plant Burger - 507 Eatery
The Gypsy Toast Smashed Burger: Plant-based bacon, Impossible burger patty, Angel Foods cheddar, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy pickles, secret sauce and maple syrup on a potato bun.
