SOS Mar Menor burger wins 'Audacious' award at National Burger Championship

The unusual burger created by Fran Guerrero picked up a national award for originality at the Spanish National Burger Championship

A burger inspired by the Mar Menor has picked up a national award for creativity at the Spanish National Burger Championship.

The creation, called SOS Mar Menor, was designed by chef Fran Guerrero from Freak Burger International. Although it did not make it through to the final round of the competition, it was recognised with the Audacious Award, a special prize that recognizes originality and bold ideas.

The burger was created as a tribute to the Mar Menor and combines flavours linked to the local area. It includes a prawn and shrimp fillet, served with parsley ali-oli and lemon zest, topped with an American-style sauce and creamy rice, inspired by the lagoon's traditional caldero dish. The ingredients are served on a salted chipotle-flavoured brioche bun.

Best burger in Spain

The jury at the Spanish National Burger Championship awarded the overall national title this year to Bagoa Gastrobar in Ourense.

Its winning burger takes a more classic approach, made with butter-toasted brioche, 60-day aged Galician Blond beef cooked over charcoal, raw onion, smoked artisan cheese, a small touch of jam to balance the flavours and a thin slice of pancetta.

Murcia's best burgers

The competition also selected the top burger in each region. In the Region of Murcia, first place went to Daddy Issues, created by Única Burger in Cartagena.

The burger features a double smash patty made with aged beef, cheese, bacon and a house-made 'Daddy' sauce. According to its creators, the idea was to reconnect younger diners with the traditional burger by focusing on high-quality ingredients and simple flavours.

Second place in the region went to Kokoro, from The Global, while Kunsei, from the Tokio Jarana burger restaurant in Bullas, completed the regional podium.

The results suggest that less is more when it comes to burgers, with classic styles making a comeback. After a season of towering, extravagant burgers, it seems the trend is now swinging back to simpler, high-quality burgers. Meanwhile, Murcia continues to attract attention for its innovative and creative dishes.

Image: FBI "Freak Burguer International"