Yes, David and I were having a lovely glass of wine in Napa with Suzanne (10:00 am thanks), and the phone rings....I ignore it of course assuming it is work. Heading to the second winery, check the message. It is Sutter Home Winery notifying me that I have been selected as one of 5 finalists in the BUILD A BETTER BURGER CONTEST!!!! The cook off is in Napa at the end of the month. I entered 4 burgers actually, and they picked the easiest one to prepare. I'm told there are over 5,000 entries, so I am thrilled!!! The Food Network will be there filming for an hour long special to air in May. Needless to say, I grabbed Suzanne by the hair and screamed "how do I lose 40 pounds in 4 weeks!!" She suggested dropping the glass of chardonney was a start.

Sorry I am rambling, still really in shock. I've never cooked in front of zillions of people before. Oh, forgot...the grand prize is $50,000! I know people always say this, but I'm pretty happy to be included. Win or lose. A free trip to Napa is nice too! Keep good thoughts for me. I'll send the link, they are putting my recipe, and picture on their website in a few weeks.

We had a great time for 2 days with Suzanne, how fun she was there to share it with us!

That is so GREAT! And how fun to be with Suzanne when you finally retrieved the message.

Cindy - that is fantastic news! And what better place to receive it? Which Sutter Home Wine will you pair with the burger? Suzanne is just the gal to help with those decisions.

Cheers, Anne (and go bears)

Anne, Thanks!! Well Ahhemm, we really have never HAD any Sutter Home wine, so I am just winging it, I think I told them I would pair with Zinfadel. We're wondering if they will be serving something else while I am cooking???? Sutter Home owns some other wineries. Atleast one of those is really nice.....we are hoping!

Well, correction! I just remembered that we use the Sutter Home White Merlot (by the jug!!) to make a really fruitty sangria for crowds. Really great with just some chopped up fruit and one bottle of red wine added. Yum!

Congrats Cindy!! I love that show and I will be rooting for you!

YEAH!!! Our very own LCT celebrity!!!! Tony and I will be pulling for you, too!!! And two trips to Napa in one month pretty nice!!! Sending "Cindy's the winner" thoughts to you :3smile: :3smile:

How very exciting!!

Drinking wine in Napa with Suzanne is a real pleasure anyway, but to have this on top...very cool.

Wow Cindy! Thanks fantastic! I am impressed. (spoken by a gal who does as little cooking as possible)
We are chanting "Go Cindy, Win!" here!

Good luck Cindy! We'll be cheerleading for you :ch: :ch:

Cindy,
How fabulous! I echo everything Betty K says (including the no cooking!) Congratulations!

Cindy that is wonderful - wishing you the BEST BURGER prize. You can use the prize $$$$$ for a Regent cruise, or two or three! :app:

Cindy,
I'm so excited for you!! This is just GREAT news!! I can't wait to hear more and see you on TV. Yippee!! I know how much fun you and David had with Suzanne. That is a great weekend!! :banana:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Congratulations Cindy. Don't worry too much about the pounds. Television is more personality driven than anything else. Just look at Paula Deen.

Be yourself and have fun. If you try to be someone you're not the camera will sense that in a second. Good luck. Tom.

Thank Gawd you're finally home and you've posted this!!

I have been sitting on my hands just bursting to log on and spill the beans!! Isn't this just the most exciting thing ever?!?

Now I can say "I knew her when..." or "Cindy the latest Food Network star and I met in Copenhagen..." Maybe her angle can be "Ahoy! I'm Cindy Ross coming to you live from the galley of the Regent Voyager where today my show will feature..."

Sunday afternoon I was home and trying to figure out what winery Cindy and David were enroute to and I turn on the TV to find a previous year's "Build a Better Burger" competition. Another year's final airs this coming weekend. So that means we will have years of re-runs to look forward to!

Mrs. Ross, are you ready for your close up?

Cindy, that is FABULOUS! But it won't air until May! I won't remember by then!!!!! I know you will let us know the outcome (if you are allowed), but please remind us when you find out exactly when it will be broadcast. It is such exciting news!
Suzanne, I can just see you wanting to post the news and not being able to!
Lynn

Cindy, what exciting news! Congratulations on being a finalist and good luck later this month!

WOW! So what's the recipe, Cindy??? :)

Masaki

Cindy - how exciting! Congratulations! I too watched one of the previous finals this past Sunday and thought how fun it would be to actually be there. I know David will be there to cheer you on! We'll be rooting for you in the Midwest - let us know exactly when so we can send good grilling vibes your way!

Way to go Cindy. How exciting! And, what fun to be able to share the news with Suzanne while "tasting" in Nappa. I bet David is so proud of you. Those winnings will send you on lots of fun cruises. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you.

Cindy this absolutely fantastic, what an honor. Don't the chefs say, "Break an egg" ? Best of luck oh talented one. :nw:

How exciting!!! We have our very own celebrity chef here on LCT!!!

Cindy, wishing you the best in the "Build a Better Burger" contest!

Cindy, what a real honor to have been honored over 5,000 other entrants! Good gosh, pray tell what is in that burger, and how did you make it up? When is the final cook-off? Who are the judges, can we send them a bribe? (just kidding!) So cool! Like you said, another trip (free!) to Napa is a treat, especially at harvest time. To win it, well in that case you and David will have to join us on B2B next year!

Cindy and David will be here in October and no doubt she'll make that burger for us - kidding kidding Cindy - we love eating OUT as unlike you I am lousy cook -

Thanks all!
It is very exciting, they sent me a gift today, a really beautiful bar b q set. The rules are 10 pages long. I'm practicing tomarrow night, and Sunday. Then 3 days next week. I'm begging people to come and eat these!! How I wish you were all here. Joanna, by the time I am with you....the winner will be decided! Either way, with you and Tony a celebration will be had!

Oh, I forgot...Olivia...can't really talk about the recipe, although I BLABBED it all over Napa Valley.....it is based on a spanish tapa....it has goat cheese, red pepper sauce, manchego, chorizo, beef, and olives. a bit of the sweet and salty thing....my favorite....When it is posted (next week I think) I will send the link! You are all wonderful, thanks so much....

Cindy, Do you send these burgers via mail order?? May be the only way Tom and I get to taste them!!!

No, you can come here!!!!! Tom might enjoy some wine from David's locked down cellar! I might too!!

Just got a glimpse of this thread.

Congrats, Cindy!! How great! The burger sounds sumptuous! Can't wait to read about it when you post the link! Best of luck!!

Cindy, this is FANTASTIC!!! VERY cool. Best of luck to you!

:app: :woh:

What a great honor to be chosen. I'm a food network junkie so I'll be there watching every minute of your debut.
Lots of good luck......

WOW Cindy! Congratulations - the burger sounds fabulous - can't wait to hear about the competition. Good luck - you've got all of LCT behind you!

Well, here is the link. Sorry I didn't bother to shorten it up, out the door for appts. They all look really good! The competition is stiff!!
Thanks all for your wonderful support!


http://www.buildabetterburger.com/finalists/2007/

Thanks Cindy, for the link. They do all sound good (your's, the best