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Saccente and friend Chris Prichinello of Cortlandt Manor cooked their way to the top spot at the Second Annual New York Bull Burger Battle on Saturday at Best in Backyards, 119 US-6 in Mahopac. The reward was a Lonestar Grill Cart from Bull Outdoor Products and a trip for two to compete in this November’s World Food Championships in Kissimmee, Fla.
Saccente won with his "All American Cheeseburger," which incorporated ground beef, salt, pepper, onion, lettuce and tomato. He then topped it with American cheese before serving it on a sesame seed potato bun.
Competing under the team name “Mr. Dirt’s BBQ,” Saccente and Prichinello tallied 91.667 points and was the only team to score in the 90s.
"I can't believe I won," said Saccente, an iron worker and a father of two, in a statement.
Saccente prepared for last year’s New York Burger Battle by practice-cooking 30 sliders in the kitchen of his Shrub Oak home. He finished in last place. This year, Saccente forgot about the event until the night before, he said in the statement.
Dave Conti of Red Planet BBQ in Seymour, Conn., took home second place and was followed by Rocky Julianelle of Big Rock BBQ in East Haven, Conn.
The New York Bull Burger Battle is considered a qualifying event for the World Food Championships. Bull Burger Battles are set to take place in Chicago, Indianapolis and San Diego this summer, before November's championships in Florida.
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