It’s a problem we can all relate to in a year when a few days can seem like an eternity.

Back in March the SA Pub Burger Challenge elimination cook-off was held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, where chefs from 50 hotels had their signature burgers blind taste tested by an expert panel appointed by the South Australian branch of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA|SA).

From there, 12 South Australian pubs were chosen as finalists, with the winner to be determined at a live grand final during Tasting Australia in May.

Well, we all know what happened and can sympathise with May becoming July, then October, and now almost December.

To solve the problem, the AHA|SA and InDaily have teamed up to ask the South Australian public to determine the winner – while at the same time helping out our local pubs and hotels after the latest shutdown.

Voters in the People’s Choice award will also be in the running to win one of two $100 vouchers donated by AHA|SA to spend at one of the 12 finalist hotels.

To have a chance at the first $100 prize, simply take a photo of you enjoying your favourite finalist burger and share on Instagram with #sapubburger before voting closes at midnight on Monday, December 7.

The second $100 prize will be picked from those who vote online for the People’s Choice award, which opens on InDaily Wednesday, December 2 to give the public time to book a table at any (or all) of the 12 finalists and have a taste of their signature burger, while at the same time helping out the struggling hospitality industry.

AHA|SA CEO Ian Horne said the competition was a salute to a hotel staple, a menu item that often defines a pub.

“The burger is often the signature of the hotel, with venues putting their own spin and style as a point of difference,” Horne said.

“Hotel kitchens are keeping up with market trends to be more innovative and the quality of produce is immensely important.

“A burger is a highly sought-after menu item for patrons and along with other traditional pub fare, offers great value and is still incredibly popular.” 

The 12 final burgers have been chosen based on their taste, presentation, meat patty content and value for money. Each burger patty must be made on-site from minced or shredded beef or lamb, have a bun and cost no more than $25, including GST.

The 12 hotel finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

• Alma Tavern, Norwood – ALMA ROYALE WITH CHEESE House made 200g Angus beef patty, grilled halloumi cheese, caramelised red onion, sliced tomato, cos, aioli, Alma house-spiced pickles & Alma ketchup $22
• Exchange Hotel, Gawler – GRAVEDIGGERS BURGER Brioche bun, smashed beef patty, grilled bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, BBQ sauce, ranch sauce $23
• Feathers Hotel – WAGYU BURGER Seasoned Wagyu beef burger served with smoked bacon, American burger cheese, tomato, Ant’s relish, lettuce, pickles, chipotle mayonnaise $24
• Golden Wattle Hotel – CHUCK BRISKET PATTY Hand-pressed with cheese, streaky bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, BBQ and ranch sauce, cooked over red gum $19
• Goodwood Park Hotel – PRIME BEEF BURGER Beef patty, American cheddar, bacon, pickles, caramelised onion, mustard mayonnaise $20
• Highlander Hotel – House-made beef patty, cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, burger sauce $20
• Pretoria Hotel, Mannum – PRETORIA BEEF BURGER Ground brisket and topside patty, bacon, caramelised onion, lettuce, tomato, cheddar, Dijonnaise, smoky BBQ sauce, on a milk bun $20
• Sussex Hotel – SUSSEX BURGER  Beef brisket, Barossa smoked bacon, Provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, house sauce $22
• The Rosey – DON BRADMAN BURGER Double prime beef patty, double bacon, double cheese, grilled onion, egg, lettuce, tomato, aioli, relish and bourbon BBQ sauce $22
• Torrens Arms Hotel – TA BEEF BURGER Chuck mince patty, red Leicester cheese, dill pickles, pickled red onions, streaky bacon, oak lettuce and smoked paprika aioli on a Turkish burger bun, served with chips $20
• V Hotel Virginia – V BURGER Chargrilled house-made beef patty, smoked bacon, double cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, mustard and tomato sauce on a sesame seed brioche bun with chips $20
• Walkers Arms Hotel –  ANGUS BEEF BURGER House-made Angus beef patty with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet mustard aioli and pickle on a brioche bun $21

InDaily is the media partner of the AHA|SA Pub Burger Challenge, which is sponsored by Holco Fine Meat Suppliers, a subsidiary of Thomas Foods International.