The UK's best burger has been revealed, scooping up the National Burger of the Year award at the 11th annual competition. Black Bear was crowned the winner at the cooking competition on Tuesday after chef Stewart Down wowed a panel of industry judges with his signature creation. The winning burger featured two 45-day aged beef patties, cheese, smoked bacon, miso butter mayo and onion, sandwiched between a bespoke sesame seed bun.
![[Mr Down (pictured centre) revealed he was surprised at winning this year after two unsuccessful attempts at the top spot]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/12/95128181-14388823-image-a-10_1739361809516.jpg)
Black Bear has sites across London including in Exmouth Market, Brixton, Victoria, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch and Camden. Mr Down revealed he was surprised at winning this year after two unsuccessful attempts at the top spot. He said: 'I was pretty surprised. We've competed two times before – came third last year and won the Bloggers' Choice Award after that, but this was the one we wanted. 'We've been going for over seven years and this is recognition, as we've been so focused on doing burgers the best we possibly can.
![[Black Bear has sites across London including in Exmouth Market, Brixton , Victoria, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch and Camden]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/12/14/95128179-14388823-Black_Bear_has_sites_across_London_including_in_Exmouth_Market_B-a-1_1739370269219.jpg)
'To come here and get something like this is pretty special. This changes things. We've seen the past winners, and they are big, impressive names. To be up there with the likes of them is amazing.'. Black Bear was crowned the winner at the cooking competition on Tuesday after chef Stewart Down wowed a panel of industry judges with his signature creation. The burger expert beat his fellow chefs in a close run competition and his trophy follows the chef and restaurant owner's win at the ten-year anniversary Champion of Champions event last September, where he was presented with the Bloggers' Choice Award.
Roddy Burger and Smiths of Bourton came second and third in the Signature category respectively. Fat Hippo stole the show in the Plant-Based category with chef Rob Macdonald’s Sloppy Faux creation which featured a plant-based sloppy Joe mix, pickleback chipotle slaw and BBQ sauce. Another big win went to Dan Gover of Mollie’s, whose signature burger, The New Yorker, received the Bloggers’ Choice Award.
As well as scooping up the top award at this year' competition, Black Bear Burger also impressed FEMAIL with it's smash burger which included 'Two Aged Beef Patties, Shredded Iceberg, Pickles, Burger Sauce, and American Cheese' according to the menu. The £11 burger was given a 7/11 rating for it's delicious flavour, crispy patty, great cheese and sauces, and fluffy bun - but failed to score higher on account of the burger being pink instead of well done as per the order.
Mr Down (pictured centre) revealed he was surprised at winning this year after two unsuccessful attempts at the top spot. Black Bear has sites across London including in Exmouth Market, Brixton , Victoria, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch and Camden. It comes following the news that an unlikely British chain would be entering the race to supply customers with the best burgers in the UK. The nation's biggest fast food chains have found themselves facing off with a new unlikely rival - as Greggs expands its hot menu selection to include burgers and wraps.
The budget bakery chain announced a huge menu-shake up as it looks to take on the likes of McDonald's, KFC and Burger King with its new range. From Thursday, 6 February, a BBQ crispy burger, BBQ chicken wrap and crispy chicken bites will join beloved staples in the hot made-to-order range across 150 stores. The BBQ crispy burger, available for £4, is a 'new twist' on an old favourite, featuring chicken breast coated in crispy crumbs, salad leaves, topped with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise, and served in a soft corn top roll.
Meanwhile, the BBQ Chicken Wrap, priced at a cool £3.80, includes Greggs' Southern Fried Chicken Goujons, salad leaves, tomato, and cucumber, topped with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise and enveloped in a soft tortilla wrap. Both items are part of the Hot Sandwich Deal, which includes a hot sandwich, wedges, or side salad, and a drink for just £4.95. Although the new menu will be available at selected stores across the UK, Greggs hopes to roll out the items to over 300 stores by the spring.
