THUNDER BAY – During the inaugural Novemburger campaign, Damien Gilbert guesses he ate about 30 burgers throughout the month.
This year, he’s aiming for 40.
Gilbert, a local photographer and videographer, is one of the ambassadors for the campaign, which supports the United Way of Thunder Bay, says it’s a tasty way to help support a great cause, while trying out the burger offerings of 14 different restaurants.
“I’m a big burger fan,” Gilbert said. “There are many great restaurants within Thunder Bay where you can get a burger, but everyone steps it up and it’s for a good cause. It’s nice to see.
Gilbert joked that of the 3,901 burgers sold, he figures he and his buddy Vince Mirabelli might have put a one per cent dent in the total.
They weren’t the only burger connoisseurs making the rounds in 2019, the event raising about $12,000, with sponsorships factored in.
“It’s good that the community comes together and does something for a good cause. It was a bit of a competition involved with all the restaurants stepping up to outdo one another ... It’s interesting when you walk into each restaurant to see what they do.”
In Gilbert’s mind, the perfect burger has balance.
That’s the key, he said.
“They can be a little excessive, but it’s fun.”
Andrew Elliott, general manager at the Prospector Burger Barn on Memorial Avenue, said there was never any doubt they were going to take part in Round 2 of Novemburger, noting it’s a great fundraiser and a chance to get some exposure for the restaurant too.
He’s come up with the Maca-Peno 2.0.
“It’s a revised burger that we’ve had in the past,” he said on Thursday, launching this year’s campaign, pledging to sell 2,000 burgers at his restaurant alone. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful mac-and-cheese patty with a jalapeno cheddar and bacon and the beef patty on the burger that are all amazing. We put in fresh pickles and the jalapenos on there to help cut the richness of it, with the tomato as well, to round out the burger.”
He said last year’s event led to a steady stream of new customers, many of whom have stuck around as regulars.
Restaurants taking part and vying for the title of most burgers sold and Novemburger of the year include Apple Chipotle’s*, Beefcake Burger Factory*, Bight Restaurant and Bar, Bonobos, Daytona’s*, Java Hut, Mario’s Bowl, Neebing Roadhouse*, Prospector Burger Barn*, Red Lion Smokehouse*, The Eddy*, The Foundry, The Sal* and The Silver Birch.
Albert Brule, chief executive officer at the United Way of Thunder Bay, said it’s one of the most exciting campaigns that they do, adding it’s even more important given the impacts of COVID-19 on other traditional fundraising events.
“It’s obviously been a big challenge, not just for the United Way, but for so many charities. Our funds go in turn to support front-line agencies and support service providers that are helping meet the needs of those who have been hard hit by COVID-19,” Brule said.
“The fact that we can do an event like this all throughout the month, at a socially safe distance – people can order takeout, and I’m planning to do some luncheons where I’m offering to deliver a burger to someone and then join them by Zoom – it’s really kind of fun. We can support community, enjoy a delicious burger and support local business, all as part of one campaign.”
Participants can get their passport stamped at each Platinum Double Stack Patty Burger location (marked with an asterisk) for a chance to win a $25 gift card from all eight locations.
