Feathers Hotel’s wagyu beef burger judged best pub burger in South Australia at Tasting Australia finale

South Australia’s best pub burger has a mix of top quality meat with bacon, cheese and a dash of spice. But where can you get it — and what’s the chef’s secret?

It’s official — South Australia’s best pub burger is … Feathers Hotel’s wagyu beef burger.

The $24 burger is a beef patty with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato sauce, lettuce, mustard mayo, chimmichurri and “some crispy bits”, all the work of Feathers’ executive chef Luke Brabin.

The burger was crowned top of a shortlist of 12 pubs from more than 50 that entered, at the finale of Tasting Australia on Sunday.

The competition, run by the Australian Hotels Association, was a blind taste test.

Luke Brabin, executive chef at Feathers pub, with his wagyu beef burger, which won best pub burger in South Australia

Five judges assessed taste, presentation, value, meat content and the quality of the produce. The burgers had to be priced under $25. They said the presentation of the Feathers burger, plus the spicy chimmichurri, pushed it over the line.

The Burnside pub offers the burger every day in their Terrace outdoor dining area.

Feathers’ venue manager Andrew McDowell said they were thrilled by the win.

“This award is testament to Luke’s exceptional culinary talents and his ability to prepare a range of quality food with amazing flavours that really pack a punch,” he said.

Chef Luke Brabin said he was pleased to take out the Best Pub Burger award,

“It’s come at a great time for The Feathers, following the recent launch of our new Greenhouse Restaurant and broader hotel refurbishment. Winning this award has just topped off what’s been an exciting couple of weeks. We’re all really happy,” he said.

Mr Brabin said the burger drew inspiration from South America, “with an emphasis on healthy, good-quality local produce that is packed with flavour.”

Tasting Australia festival director Simon Bryant said the burger cook-off was the perfect end to the 10-day festival. More than 57,000 people visited the festival’s Town Square hub in Victoria Square (Tarntanyangga) in the centre of Adelaide.