Grab your napkins and let the battle of the burgers begin.
The United Way Peterborough & District kicked off its inaugural Ultimate Burger Battle community fundraiser during a media event at its office on Thursday morning (October 30), attended by representatives from participating restaurants along with “burger ambassadors” — community members who have volunteered to promote the fundraiser running throughout the month of November.
Each of the eight participating restaurants will be creating a unique and creative burger in a friendly competition for the title of Ultimate Burger of the Year, with $2 from every burger sold during November being donated to United Way Peterborough & District.
While the Ultimate Burger Battle is making its debut in Peterborough, the event has already proven to be successful fundraiser for other United Way affiliates across Canada since United Way Thunder Bay launched the original event six years ago. Last year alone, more than 60,000 burgers were served across the country in support of the United Way.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring the first-ever United Way Ultimate Burger Battle to Peterborough and District,” said United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell. “This campaign is a fun way to celebrate the creativity of our local restaurants while uniting the community around a shared cause. We’re especially proud to see participation from restaurants across both the city and county, a reflection of the wide reach and generosity of our region. Every Ultimate Burger sold helps build a stronger, more caring community, and I think that’s something we can all sink our teeth into.”
The restaurants participating in the Ultimate Burger Battle are Agave by Imperial (376 George St. N., Peterborough), Chemong Lodge (764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth), Dirty Burger (211 Hunter St. W., Peterborough), Double Dz’s Diner (2622 Maple Grove Rd., Peterborough), The Loon Lakefield (150 Queen St., Lakefield), Pizza Villa & Pasta House (846 Ward St., Bridgenorth), The Rink Tap & Grill (597 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough), and The Vine (165 Sherbrooke St., Peterborough).
To support the month-long fundraiser, a group of eight local Ultimate Burger Battle Ambassadors will help spotlight the participating restaurants and their burgers by sharing experiences, reviews, and behind-the-scenes peeks on social media.
The burger ambassadors are Laura Montague of PTBO Eaters, Dan O’Toole of BetRivers, consultant and entrepreneur Neil Morton (who was chair of the United Way Peterborough & District 2017 campaign), Tiffany Arcari of The Tiffany Show, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) executive director Nour Mazloum, Pete Dalliday (former radio host and the TV voice of the Peterborough Lakers and Peterborough Petes), muralist and illustrator Jason Wilkins, and journalist Paul Rellinger (who is chair of the United Way Peterborough & District 2025 campaign).
“The Ultimate Burger Battle is a fantastic way to showcase the creativity and passion of our local restaurants,” says Mazloum. “It’s more than just a culinary challenge — it’s an opportunity to bring people together, celebrate local talent, and support a meaningful cause. I’m excited to see our community come out, enjoy some incredible food, and cheer on their favourite spots in the spirit of friendly competition.”
“From the Adam Scott cafeteria to Zeke’s, I’ve done the A-to-Z of Peterborough burgers,” Dalliday adds. “The Burger Battle just gives me another excuse to keep the streak going, support local spots, and have some fun for a great cause.”
Along with awards for the Ultimate Burger of the Year and Most Burgers Sold, the fundraiser will include the People’s Choice Awards, whose winners will be selected by community members voting online for their favourite burger. Burger aficionados can also pick up the Ultimate Burger Battle Passport, with anyone who tries five or more burgers having the chance to become an Ultimate Burger Battle Ambassador for next year’s event.
Businesses and organizations can also support the fundraiser through the “Ultimate Burger Battle @ Work” team lunch initiative, where employees can order burgers together in support of United Way workplace campaigns.
Proceeds from the Ultimate Burger Battle will go towards the United Way Peterborough & District’s $1.6-million 2025 campaign goal and support the United Way’s network of local agencies and initiatives working to address poverty and strengthen community well-being, from ensuring residents have access to food and housing to providing mental health services and programs for children, families, and seniors.
The Ultimate Burger Battle runs from November 1 to 30, with the Ultimate Burger of the Year, People’s Choice, and Most Burgers Sold winners to be announced in early December.
To learn more about the Ultimate Burger Battle, to find participating restaurants, and to vote for your favourite burger, visit uwpeterborough.ca.
