Finally; a competition we can really sink our teeth into.

Cork’s best takeaways, restaurants, hotels, pubs, cafés and butchers will compete for the title of Cork’s Best Burger next week as part of Ireland’s second annual Burger Festival.

And the contenders are already chomping at the bit.

It’s all part of FSTVLR Burger Fest 2019, which runs from Monday, January 28th until February 3rd in association with Ballymaloe Foods.

Throughout the week, venues nationwide go burger-mad with fun events, tastings, challenges and demos.

Over the eight day festival, the public will get the opportunity to vote for their favourite burger using the hashtag #BurgerFest.

If you’d like to get your business in the competition there’s still time to register here.

In the meantime, here are six magnificent Cork burgers we can’t wait to sample. You know, for testing purposes.

1. SON OF A BUN

Last year’s overall #BurgerFest winners are pulling out all the stops to hold onto the crown. Their secret weapon? The Chipper: One cheese and onion potato pie sandwiched between two 3oz patties both topped with cheddar cheese and curry sauce served with mushy peas and garlic mayo in a brioche bun. Read all about it here.

2. THE LIBERTY GRILL

The Liberty Grill is guaranteed to be jumping over the week, not least because they’ve added a Spicy Halloumi Burger to the menu for BurgerFest.

3. ELECTRIC

An upscale burger if ever we saw one, the Electric Duck Burger is a feast of marinated ground duck breast, chicken liver pate, fennel, apple, celeriac and twice cooked chips (€18). Notions. Delicious, juicy notions. 

4. WEST CORK BURGER COMPANY

Washington Street favourite West Cork Burger Company are determined to make a play for the Golden Burger trophy this year. We’ll be dropping by to sink our teeth into The Chicken Avo (marinated chicken breast, avocado, tomato, bacon and fig jam, sun dried tomato pesto, cos lettuce and garlic mayo).

5. SOBER LANE

This Sullivan’s Quay pub has launched a new menu… and it’s designed to thrill punters with a serious appetite. There are tons of new additions we can’t wait to try out but the €12 Japanese Style Fried Chicken Burger served with Asian slaw and sesame wasabi is calling our name…

6. COQBULL

The Coqbull crew are well known for churning out some flippin’ outrageously delicious flavour combinations. The latest invention is the blue Bull, made with the best of local beef, a garlic mushroom fritter, blue cheese, bone marrow butter, rocket and smothered in Coqbull sauce. Divine.

For more #BurgerFest 2019 updates, follow the @FSTVLR Instagram feed and search #BurgerFest.