It was a just a matter of time until Michael Symon’s three-time People’s Choice-winning streak was broken. And no one wanted to claim that victory more than Bobby Flay. For years, Rachael Ray has said that Michael has taken the win, but with Bobby just a few short votes shy (sometimes just one or two).

Last year Bobby told FN Dish that he’d rather come in tenth place, than be second to Michael once more. “He only wins because of his laugh,” Bobby jokingly told FN Dish last night. He continued to say that if he didn’t win this year, he might just hang his hat up. No need for that. Even though Bobby was up against 33 other burgers, his Green Chile Burger, crunchified of course, was the ultimate combination of savory, salty and fatty.

What’s the secret to this winning burger? “We let Michael Symon win three years in a row. This year we broke out the roasted poblano chiles. Game over everybody,” proclaimed Bobby.

More photos

For Food Network and burger enthusiasts who can’t make it to the Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival this year, there’s still a chance to feel like you were there. Havaianas and Chef Michelle Bernstein recently teamed up to create the ultimate flip flop — almost good enough to eat. In honor of the festival and its most popular event, whimsical pins featuring burgers, pickles, ketchup and fries (dubbed The Meal) will be available on site for purchase, along with Michelle’s custom golden sandal.

“Burger Bash is where it’s at,” Michael Symon said as we started our interview. It’s arguably the most sought after-ticket at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, drawing in crowds by the hundreds. Food writers, bloggers and burger enthusiasts travel from far and wide to watch their favorite chefs vie for the title of Best Burger. (And eat them, of course.)

Last year, event sponsors Allen Brothers provided each of the 26 vendors with meat; this year, they increased that number to 32 — that’s right, 32 burgers (see the full list here).

There are three awards to be had for the night: People’s Choice, Judges’ Favorite and the Heinz Best-Dressed Burger Award. While they are all coveted, there is one in particular that each chef has their eye on: The People’s Choice — the award where the guests get to choose their favorite. How do they vote? As you enter the tent, everyone receives one token. Next to each of the chefs’ booths is a box. Once you pick a favorite burger, you drop your token into the box.

Find out who won

So who won Food Network’s 6th Annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash? Well, that depends on the category:

The People’s Choice Award: Michael Symon (B Spot)
The Porky Burger: A pork and bacon burger topped with pulled pork and slaw.

Judges’ Favorite: Brendan B. Connor (Whisk)
Crispy Shallot, Bacon and Swiss Burger: A sirloin patty with melted Swiss cheese, buttermilk-marinated crispy shallots, pecan-wood smoked bacon, tangy horseradish sauce, ripe Florida tomatoes and watercress on a toasted onion bun.

Heinz Best-Dressed Burger Award: Guy Fieri (Guy’s Burger Joint)
Straight‐Up With a Pig Patty: A ground chuck and bacon patty with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle with a liberal slathering of donkey sauce.

Deep in the heart of Brooklyn, twenty of the country’s greatest burger chefs compete for the grand prize at Rachael Ray’s Burger Bash.

CONTEST ENDED OCTOBER 20th
WIN A 10-PIECE COOKWARE SET: The FN Dish is giving away one Rachael Ray 10-Piece Cookware Set. To win, post in the comments a short description of your own winning burger recipe. It must be creative, original, and delicious!

By posting a comment, you agree to these contest rules.