2012 Judges
Bret Bohlmann is an Elk Grove native and a graduate of the San Francisco Culinary Academy. Bret honed his skills at several Bay Area restaurants including: Cypress Club, Vivande, and Bon Appetite. On Valentine’s Day of 2006, Chef Bret and his wife Debbie launched their Boulevard Bistro on Elk Grove Boulevard, in the heart of Old Town Elk Grove. Bret is creatively living his passion, and often says, “Food is amazing; let there be no rules!”
Congressman John Garamendi is more than the 10th District’s representative and the former Lt. Governor of California; he’s also a California cattleman. A fourth generation Californian and descendent of gold rush pioneers, Congressman Garamendi grew up on his family’s ranch in Mokelumne Hill, and he continues to raise Angus cattle on the ranch. As a Burger Battle judge he brings a “pasture-to-plate” perspective to the event.
Erin Jackson is a San Diego-based food writer who has reviewed nearly 100 burgers for the A Hamburger Today blog on Serious Eats, ranging from fast food to fine dining options. Erin also covers the cheap eats beat for San Diego Magazine’s Food & Drink blog, and is the creator of EJeats.com and sandiegosugar.com. In the rare moments that she’s not eating or writing, you can find her tearing through the streets of downtown San Diego on her Schwinn cruiser.
Rick Mindermann is the Store Director of Corti Brothers, Sacramento’s internationally known Grocer and Wine Merchant since 1947. In his 34th year as culinary professional in Sacramento, Rick has experienced a vast diversity of international food and drink during his travels on three continents while on foraging missions for Corti Brothers.
Marcus Marquez has over 18 years in the restaurant industry and launched a first-of-its-kind restaurant in the Sacramento region, a wine bar and restaurant during the boom of the last decade. Marcus is now part of the award winning Goose & Gander Restaurant located in historic St Helena in Napa Valley.
YOU! After tasting the delicious burger samples from participating restaurants, all Sacramento Burger Battle attendees will get a special token so they can cast their vote for the People’s Choice best burger award. Let your burger voice be heard this National Cheeseburger Day at Raley Field!
