La Birra Bar co-owner Renzo Cocchia, left, cheers as co-owner Daniel Cocchia hoists the People’s Choice Award trophy at the annual Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
PHOTO BY AL DIAZ
adiaz@miamiherald.com
A repeat champion from Argentina and a newcomer from Georgia earned the top honors at the 2026 Burger Bash in Miami Beach.
One of the highlights of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Burger Bash attendees and judges tried burgers from Miami and beyond, from Ohio to Oakland Park, from first-time competitors like Dick Mondell’s Burgers & Fries from Gainesville and Jacksonville to former local winners like Skinny Louie and Pincho.
The People’s Choice Award, which attendees chose after stuffing themselves with as many meat patties as possible, went to La Birra Bar for the second straight year. The winning burger was the Crispy Dubai, with wagyu beef patties, white American cheese, crispy onions, Argentinian chimichurri mayo — call it “mayochurri,” says co-owner Renzo Cocchia, who called the win “truly amazing” — and black truffle.
The burger, according to Cocchia, is the same one that in January won the 2026 World Burger Championship in Dubai. The black truffle was added to represent the luxury of Dubai.
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The NFA Burger team from Dunwoody, Georgia, wins the Very Best Burger Award at the 2026 Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
And while a big tent on the beach packed with people downing burgers, drinking tequila or Kim Crawford wine and dancing to a DJ with a soft spot for Bad Bunny is not exactly luxurious, the black truffle remained for this event.
“The people really love it,” Cocchia said. “It’s really nice.”
In addition to a splendid burger, La Birra Bar, which has locations in North Miami Beach, Wynwood, Fort Lauderdale, Weston and Argentina, has a spirited team, who shouted and hugged each other and celebrated vigorously after the victory was announced.
The team of judges — restaurateur Matt Kuscher of Kush Hospitality; comedian Bert Kreischer; model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham; TV journalist Gayle King; chef Nick DiGiovanni; and food influencer Samantha Schnur, best known as @TheNaughtyFork — chose a different winner for the Very Best Burger award.
Artist Romero Britto takes a bite out of a burger at the 2026 Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
The judge’s choice came from NFA Burger from Dunwoody, Georgia, just north of Atlanta (the NFA stands for “Not Fooling Around”). The winning burger was Billy’s Classic, a smashed cheeseburger with mustard, pickles, home-made seasoning and the restaurant’s famous Sassy Sauce, named for owner Billy Kramer’s daughter.
Kramer, a former salesman who worked in the corporate world until he opened the restaurant in 2019 inside a Chevron gas station just three miles from his house, was emotional about his team’s win, too. He came up with Billy’s Classic in his own kitchen, trying 19 different seasoning combinations before hitting on the one he thought was perfect.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I was in sales six years ago. I’m not a chef, I’m not a cook. I just want to make and feed people the best burger we can.”
Comedian Bert Kreischer and restaurateur Matthew Kuscher of Kush Hospitality judge the fare at the 2026 Burger Bash. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
He also praised the Miami burger community, from expert and blogger Sef Gonzalez — better known as Burger Beast — for recommending him for Burger Bash, as well as local burger joints that were happy to share advice and help for surviving the event.
“It’s been a great experience,” he said. “And now I’m going to go have a bourbon.”
The event was hosted by Burger Bash queen Rachael Ray, who hosted the first Burger Bash in 2007, and media personality Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, son of David and Victoria Beckham and founder of Cloud23 Hot Sauce.
Private Stock Band performs during the 2026 Burger Bash. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Ray thanked every burger team and every chef who spent the balmy evening working “laboring over hot flames for you guys.”
“I tried a bit of every single one,” Beckham added. “Every single one was absolutely amazing.”
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival continues through Sunday with events across the beach and Miami. All net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 1:45 AM.
Connie Ogle loves wine, books and the Miami Heat. Please don’t make her eat a mango.