Spokane teacher wins Heinz National Burger competition

Jessica Haynes created the Triple Pickle Smash Burger after her husband originally entered the Heinz contest.

SPOKANE, Wash. – A few months ago Michael Haynes, an art teacher at Mead High School, heard about Heinz’s Art of the Burger competition. His wife Jessica also entered the competition and the two became rivals. She came out upstairs.

“I made fun of him at first because I thought it was a little ridiculous, but then I got a little competitive,” said Jessica.

She called it the Triple Pickle Smash Burger. It contains two pies, Swiss cheese, relish tartar sauce, fried pickles, regular pickles, and a pickle on top.

She saw Michael design his burgers and took notes.

“The process he started was that he conceptualized it, he sketched it, and then he did it, and that’s why I made fun of him because it was kind of ridiculous, but then I thought, no, no, I can” do this and then the triple cucumber was formed, “said Jessica.

After Jon Brown, owner of McRuins in the Saranac Commons, heard of the big win, she contacted them with a suggestion. They wanted the burger on their menu.

“It’s pretty cool that Spokane had the winning burger from every state in this contest and I felt like the community was gathering so I feel like it’s our thing and not just mine, so it is it’s pretty awesome, ”said Jessica.

People who want to try the burger can try it at McRuins on Saturday.

One of Michael’s burgers also made it to the semifinals of the competition. The couple was enthusiastic about that alone. Heinz sent them denim jackets with the words burger artist and festive pins on them. But the competition wasn’t over yet, the dozen of semi-finalists were reduced to just seven.

“We woke up one morning and Michael checked the website and when my burger was in the top 7 I thought it was hilarious because he’s far a better burger maker than me and I like to brag, so that’s how I was” is incredible, “she said.

In the final, the audience could vote on the winner. The couple knew they would have the support of their community. With the help of other voting teachers, Jessica won the competition.

“I was jealous for about two seconds, but when it comes to money who cares?” said Michael.

The main prize of the competition: $ 25,000 plus four trips for two across the United States and the best part of the award – Heinz products for life.