Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) and Sutter Home teamed up to find the state’s “best burger and wine pairing.” Nationally, Sutter Home runs their “Build a Better Burger” competition, an annual event for Sutter Home for the past 27 years – the first place prize is $25,000 for one national winner. The idea “went local” as 10 restaurants in Connecticut participated in the state challenge. Contestants were judged on: creativity, presentation, taste and pairing. A team of judges from CDI and Sutter Home traveled to each account to sample each burger and wine pairing. The following restaurants put forth their best burger and Sutter Home wine pairing: The Rabbit Hole in Old Saybrook; Dev’s American Bistro in New London; 1st and 10 Sports Bar & Grill in New Milford; Triple B Best Burger & Beer in Gales Ferry; Tavern on 66 in East Hampton, Francesca’s Wine Bar in Collinsville; Diamonds Grill in Glastonbury; Innishmor Pub in Colchester; Lucky’s in Stamford and Sports Cafe 189 in Brookfield. The winning burger was the “Special Burger” from 1st and 10 Sports Bar. Runner Up was Dev’s “Happy Meal” from Dev’s American Bistro.

Winning entry: The “Special Burger” from 1st and 10 Sports Bar.

Runner up: Dev’s “Happy Meal” from Dev’s American Bistro.