James McNair and Chef Jeffrey Starr, created a Burger Parties: Recipes from Sutter Home Winery’s Build a Better Burger Contest, featuring 16 themed burger parties. Words to the wise: Don’t open the book unless you are ready to fire up the BBQ and start grilling…the burger recipes will start the stomach growling and the taste buds tingling: ). Let us tempt you…”Little Italy Sausage Burgers,” “Sweet-Hot Thai Burgers,” and “Bouillabaise Sliders”…see what we mean?

James McNair has been the head judge of Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger® contest and he co-authored this book with Chef Jeffrey Star to feature the winning burger recipes from the contest’s recent 20th anniversary. Chef Jeffrey is the Culinary Director and Executive Chef for Trinchero Family Estates and Build a Better Burger…and a regular guest judge on The Food Network Challenge Series. The two created party themes and menus around the burgers, including super side dishes, sweet treats, and wine pairings (referencing Sutter Home wines).

The themes are fun and, in some cases, over-the-top…a good book if you are looking for new ways to make and serve burgers! There’s even more to inspire you on Build a Better Burger® at Sutter Home’s website.

“O Olive Oil reached out to me and asked me to try three of their California Balsamic vinegars–O California Balsamic, O California White Balsamic, and O California Port Balsamic–that won the Gold last summer at the Fancy Food Show in NYC. I am familiar with the company, and have used several of their olive oils & vinegars, so I was ready and willing to give them a taste test. They are absolutely wonderful! Each has it’s own distinctive flavor so I am enjoying using all of them as a base for my salad dressings and marinades. It’s so exciting to find a new flavor experience…and this was three!” Chef Lea

Even more important, we found out that there is an increasing concern over lead found in some European vinegars. If you are in California, every company must give notice on a label if a vinegar contains lead…not sure about other parts of the country, so be safe and use a California Balsamic from O Olive Oil.  They are oak-aged over time and under rigorous supervision.  They hand-craft them one batch at a time in order to certify quality. Each of their vinegars tests out at levels more than 30 times lower than the safety levels established by California codes (wow, good for them!).

Give these award-winners your own taste test, and be confident that they’ve already exceeded all their safety tests!  Click on each photo for details, pairings and recipes.

O California Balsamic Vinegar

O California White Balsamic Vinegar

O California Port Balsamic Vinegar