ButterBurger Fan Throws a Luau for Culver's

Culver’s announced that Aana Blalock, mother of three and Air Force wife from Rapid City, South Dakota, is the winner of the Ultimate ButterBurger Build-Off Contest. Drawing on her experiences re-creating the ButterBurger for her family while they were stationed overseas, Blalock created The Luau Burger, a Hawaiian-inspired recipe.

“With more than 1,300 delicious burger recipes, the decision wasn’t an easy one,” says Craig Culver, cofounder and CEO of Culver’s. “Thanks to everyone who shared their love of Culver’s by taking the time to enter and vote.”

“When we returned from being stationed in Europe, Culver’s was the first restaurant we visited in the states,” Blalock says. “In fact, I tried to re-create the ButterBurger for my family when we were there to give them a taste of home. When I learned about the contest at my local Culver’s, I knew that experience would come in handy. I refined a recipe that my aunt had shared with me.”

Culver’s launched the Ultimate ButterBurger Build-Off Contest to challenge local fans and guests to create a new burger masterpiece for a chance to win the Ultimate Culver’s experience. People submitted their favorite and unique recipe to complement the ButterBurger.

The winning Luau Burger offers a dash of Wisconsin and Hawaiian cuisine paired with the signature ButterBurger patty and lightly toasted, buttered bun. A pineapple ring marinated in teriyaki sauce is united with a slice of Wisconsin cheddar cheese, creating a tropical twist of taste to the ButterBurger. Blalock will work with Craig Culver and executive chef Jim Doak to refine and perfect the final recipe when she visits Culver’s home office test kitchen in Wisconsin.

“Teriyaki is a popular flavor trend that works great for ButterBurgers,” says Jim Doak, executive chef of Culver’s. “Aana’s recipe is a unique twist on our signature ButterBurger—it pairs the familiar, cheddar, with the exotic, pineapple.”

Blalock’s prize includes a trip with her children in a private jet to Wisconsin, where they’ll enjoy a vacation in Wisconsin Dells at the Kalahari Resort. There they’ll stay in the Presidential Suite and play in the resort’s indoor and outdoor water parks.