The Expert Panel for the 2025 Juicy Burger Cup by The Beijinger

      For more than ten years, the Beijinger's Juicy Burger Cup has highlighted Beijing's vibrant burger culture through a distinct multi-round selection method aimed at leveraging culinary expertise to identify Beijing's Best Burger.

      Here's how the process works: Initially, an open public vote reduces the number of contenders from over 100 burger establishments to a more manageable group. Following this, at the Juicy Burger Fest, participants get to sample many of the contenders and indicate their favorites in a second round of voting, which is also accessible to those who can't attend the festival. Finally, our specially chosen Expert Panel decides on the top winners.

      We transitioned to this expert panel approach last year after encountering some issues with relying solely on public voting in previous years. As the competition intensified, we faced organized ballot-stuffing efforts (leading to thousands of fraudulent votes) and observed how larger chains could easily dominate due to mere relative popularity. Although we could identify and eliminate these attempts, it proved to be an enormous time-consuming task. More importantly, we aimed to ensure that winners were recognized solely for the quality of their burgers.

      This year's panel reflects the diverse burger community in Beijing and was selected through open applications. They include:

      - Well-traveled connoisseurs who have tasted over 97 burger brands globally

      - Dianping V8 critics with extensive knowledge of Beijing's burger scene

      - Everyday enthusiasts who have systematically recorded their experiences with more than 30 local establishments

      What brings them together? A genuine passion, extensive local insight, and an unpretentious attitude toward judging. As one panelist states, "The best burgers don’t require gold leaf – just excellent ingredients and execution."

      Now, let's introduce this year's 31 panelists!

      Alexandre Froger (France)

      I've lived in Beijing for over 15 years and have attended every Juicy Burger Festival since 2014. My passion lies in the harmonious blend of flavors: I enjoy juicy medium-rare patties, a hint of sweetness from caramelized onions, the velvety richness of high-quality melted cheese, and an occasional innovative twist to tantalize the taste buds. I believe great burgers reflect craftsmanship, and each year, I'm excited to discover the next evolution in Beijing's burger landscape.

      Anthonidaye Chang (China)

      I enjoy exploring each flavor layer, providing detailed evaluations of ingredients while passionately presenting each burger's distinct taste and brand identity from a subjective perspective – making for a truly authentic experience for fellow burger lovers!

      Bruce & Kate (Iran)

      As dedicated food enthusiasts, we excel at identifying the ideal blend of flavors, textures, and creativity in every bite. From traditional cheeseburgers to gourmet combinations, we’ve explored burgers across various cities and cultures, continually seeking the ultimate patty experience. Our refined palates and thorough feedback qualify us as ideal Burger Experts poised to highlight the finest burgers.

      Carvel Gao (China)

      This is roughly my tenth year "Hunting Burgers" in Beijing, having visited over 20 burger spots with my personal checklist – truly a burger enthusiast! Additionally, I engage with numerous burger influencers on social media to expand my knowledge. When I travel, tasting regional specialty burgers is always my priority – those inventive combinations consistently amaze me. The Juicy Burger Fest has become a must-attend event for me in recent years, although I often wish for a larger appetite to try more!

      Dairon "Arquitect" Cardona (Cuba)

      Originally from Cuba, I’m now a passionate advocate for Latin music in Beijing and a lifelong burger lover. You can find me (1) blasting reggaeton/merengue since 2015, (2) on the quest for the juiciest burgers (gradually becoming a meatball in the name of research), and (3) convincing myself that playing softball burns calories (spoiler: it doesn’t). As CEO of LTN Fire, I host lively parties – but my true superpower lies in devouring double cheeseburgers without splattering sauce on the decks. My mantra: "If the bass shakes the walls and the burger drips sauce, harmony exists." I’m here to critique burgers as harshly as I judge my own DJ mistakes.

      Dan Sandoval (USA)

      Having traveled to over 60 countries on all seven continents, I’ve tasted burgers globally (yes, that includes Antarctica). Raised in Los Angeles, my burger journey began in childhood, competing with friends in cheeseburger-eating contests during the days when McDonald's offered 39-cent cheeseburgers on Sundays. Nowadays, I not only sample burgers wherever I go (I must try every local variation of the bread-meat-bread combo), but I also experiment with creating my own rubs and patty blends at home. From ostrich to buffalo, I enjoy testing new flavors in the burger realm – always eager for the next delicious experiment.

      DrBruins (China)

      I was part of last

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