LOUISVILLE, Ky. — If you're known to be a beast behind the grill, your homemade burger could win an award in March during this year's Derby Burger Challenge.

The Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) and the Kentucky Beef Council are looking for the next Derby Burger Champion in the 11th annual beef battle. Recipes can be submitted now through March 1 online.

Each recipe submission must include a photo or video so voters can get a gouda view of your burger.

“While we have all experienced many changes over the last year, one thing remains the same, our love of a good burger,” said Katelyn Hawkins, from the Kentucky Beef Council. “Kentucky Beef Council is proud to sponsor the 2021 Derby Burger Challenge to showcase the many talented restaurant and home chefs throughout Kentucky. Each year beefy masterpieces are submitted and we know the 2021 contest will be no exception.”

The competition is open to chefs at all levels — from restaurant pros to homegrown patty pros. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the winner will be chosen through multiple online voting rounds instead of an in-person cook-off.

All burgers must be 100 percent beef. To help make each submission stand out, participants are encouraged to get creative in the name and description of their burger.

The burger recipes are judged based on Taste, Appearance, Creativity and Ease of Preparation. Participants can submit a maximum of two recipes. Official rules of the competition can be found here.

The top four recipes move on to a final round of voting, set to take place March 22-28.

Kentucky's top chef will be named the 2021 Derby Burger Champion, receiving a 2021 Kentucky Derby Festival poster, $100 Kroger gift card, a feature inside Louisville Kroger stores, a grill, and grilling prize package from Kentucky Beef Council.

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