[Photographs: Daniel Zemans]

For the second consecutive year, the glorious gluttonfest that is Chicago Gourmet (write-up here) kicked off with the Hamburger Hop. This year, 17 chefs came to show off their patty prowess and compete for one of two awards, one from the people and one from the judges. The competitors ranged from chefs who cook burgers for a living to those who never serve them at their restaurants. The competitors were:

• Steve Coppolillo, Rosebud Steakhouse
• Meg Collaran-Sahs, Terzo Piano (AHT review)
• Dirk Flanigan, The Gage/Henri (AHT review of The Gage)
• Rick Gresh, David Burke's Primehouse (AHT review)
• Roger Herring, Socca and Redd Herring
• Kevin Hickey, Seasons Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel
• Tim Hockett, M Burger
• Ryan Kikkert, Jake Melnick's
• Beverly Kim, aria restaurant
• Eddie Lakin, Edzo's Burger Shop (AHT review)
• Jonathan Lane, Benny's Chop House
• Steven Lawhorn, Palmer Place Restaurant
• Colleen McHugh, Bandera
• John McClean, Burger Bar (AHT review)
• Ryan Pitts, RL
• Jeff Starr, Build a Better Burger
• Rey Villalobos, Table Fifty-Two

Each chef was supplied their choice of cuts of meat from Allen Brothers. At the competition, all participants were given the same type of open grill to use. Other than that, the chefs were free to do what they wanted, which turned out to be a free-for-all of burger creativity.

Check out the winners and a few of my favorites in the slideshow.

About the author: Daniel Zemans is so devoted to Chicago that he covers pizza for Slice and burgers for A Hamburger Today. When he's not focusing on expanding his waistline, he works as a lawyer on behalf of employees and tenants.

Love hamburgers? Then you'll Like AHT on Facebook! And go follow us on Twitter while you're at it!