There have been many food challenges played but not many that bring its patronisers closer together, Yoshita Rao finds
When luxury chain of international hotels J W Marriott Mumbai Juhu announced its ‘Mother of all burgers’, one could assume from the title that the one kilo burger would be made for a competition – the kind that challenges you to eat the whole thing in less than 15 minutes or so. But this behemoth for a burger is more than just comfort food to munch on in this ongoing football season.
While streaming the ongoing football games at its Reflections bar, the Marriott hotel invites its guests to feast on this burger. ‘90 minutes. One burger’, so reads the flyer at the entrance of the hotel. Though the ‘90 minutes’ on the ad refers to the match time for football, the deceptive ad does not showcase just how excessively full the meal will leave you.
When speaking to the makers of this all-inclusive meal Chef Alok Verma confesses that although the Marriott might be late to the party of ‘mega-size burgers’, they definitely make up for it in use of special technique. “The whole idea was to invite more people to watch the World Cup together and while you’re watching the match you have a burger that brings you a filling meal. The burgers that you get in the market are tiny with hardly any meat, which isn’t the case with our burger.”
Why ‘Mother of all burgers’?
“Everyone has their own recipe when creating a burger, what’s special about ours is that we never freeze our meats, we make all our bread fresh and sauces from scratch,” says Chef Verma. More challenging competitions of five kilo burgers where people have by been forced to gobble it down in less than 30 minutes have been played. Yet the makers of this burger are not interested in a contest and it is only available till July 15. “It’s not a competition what we’re running here,” Chef Verma chimes in adding, “You wouldn’t be able to enjoy the food if it were.”
What they got right
A bite into the monstrous burger – that could easily feed three hungry adults and four willing friends for Rs 2,499 – would mean unlocking your jaw to ensure nothing gets left out. The soft sweet bread that cradles the protein and everything in between is sprinkled with sesame seeds. It is then followed by a layer of cheese, crispy bacon, fried eggs, chicken or lamb patty of choice, tomatoes, salad leaves, mayonnaise with a few pickles on top. Clubbing the cheese and bacon was definitely a genius move and what Chef Verma insists, “Has to be part of any burger.”
Hit or miss
While the burger may deliver on size and even weight, the grilled chicken patty, that has a smoky flavour, is a tad too dry. So those looking to bite into a juicy middle layer may be disappointed. Although others might find the flavouring quite alluring.
Along with the burger, teetotalers will be able to enjoy a round of mocktails, specially prepared to accompany the burger. And for those who do manage to complete the entire burger within the duration of one football game will be entitled to two Budweiser beers on the house. A side of onion rings or fries can also be a part of the combo meal with a wide variety of sauces or coleslaw.
So aside from connecting with friends over the dish, Marriott guarantees this burger will send you packing with a full tummy.
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 "The Mother of All Burgers")
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