CORNER BROOK, N.L. —

Everyone has an opinion of what makes a great burger. Is it the meat? Or the toppings?

And what makes for the best?

We’re about to find out as “12 Months 12 Miracles” has launched its “Best in the West Burger Competition.”

For the entire month of November, 11 Corner Brook restaurants will be offering up its version of a special burger, with a dollar from the sale of every burger going to “12 Months 12 Miracles” for the Corner Brook firefighters toy drive.

Stella Michel, the founder of “12 Months 12 Miracles,” knew the toy drive would be in need of some help because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My fear is this year we’re going to have more families needing help and the resources are not going to be there,” she said.

When she heard of a similar foodie competition taking place in Gander, Michel felt they could do the same in the west-coast city.

To promote the competition, she enlisted the help of three local influencers, people she knows who are active on social media — Cory Sheppard of Irishtown-Summerside, Aimee Pennell of Halfway Point and Jeff Keeping of Corner Brook.

They will try each burger and will share their findings and thoughts with the hashtag #BestInTheWestBurger. There will be a poll posted on the event’s Facebook page where people can vote for their favourites.

Sheppard’s meal of choice when he goes to a restaurant is a burger. And while he said he is no food critic, he knows what he likes.

“Obviously, the juiciness of it. You don’t want a dried-up burger, so it has to be nice and juicy (with) taste and flavour,” he said.

He has been to places where burgers are topped with things one wouldn’t normally expect — like fried eggs and onion rings — but that’s never stopped him from indulging.

“I’m willing to try, because I like burgers.”

Pennell describes herself as a burger connoisseur.

“I love a good burger, (especially) the toppings. I’m one of those people who doesn’t even need a patty,” she said. “It’s all about the toppings. All the veggies and sauces. That’s what I love.”

She’s not much for spice or hot peppers and isn’t totally sold on fried egg on a burger, but bring on the lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese and bacon. She gets hungry just talking about it.

“And the sauces,” Pennell added, “I love a saucy burger, like a sloppy burger. I like biting into it and there’s a mess, like you’ve got to wash your hands.”  

Keeping describes himself as like Jughead from the Archie comics.

“I love cooking burgers. I love eating burgers. I love big, juicy meaty burgers with cheese and onions, whatever you can put on it,” he said.

“If someone asks me to eat burgers, I’m going to eat burgers.”

To be able to experience all 11 burgers, the influencers will have to consume one about every three days. As excited as they are to do that, they’re also excited to help out the toy drive.

“Especially with the way that 2020 has been treating us,” said Sheppard. 

A lot of organizations are struggling with fundraising and he said the toy drive is one that does need that extra bit of help to do what they do this year.

Pennell said it will be a hard year, not only for the firefighters collecting toys, but also for the families they help.

She pointed to people who have been off work since the pandemic started and striking Dominion workers. She also suggested there could be a shortage of some items with people buying early for fear of limited stock and concern about wait times on shipping. 

“Hopefully, no little child wakes up Christmas morning and doesn’t have at least one thing to open,” she said.

Keeping said supporting charity is important to him and the toy drive has always been high on his list. 

“Because, of course, we’re giving back to the community, but more importantly, we’re giving back to the children,” he said. “We’re helping the children have a good Christmas.

He also believes in supporting local businesses, so promoting locally owned restaurants is another reason he couldn’t say no to being a part of the competition.

Diane Crocker reports on west coast news.

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