Chef Greg Daniels of Haven Gastropub in Old Towne Orange has created a masterpiece burger to compete in the James Beard Foundation’s Blended Burger Project. The foundation was created in honor of the late James Beard, who was a titan amidst the chef and food realm. The winner of the competition will have the honor of presenting their burger at the historic James Beard House located in New York City. 
The focus of the Blended Burger Project is to suggest alternatives to a traditional burger, by instead integrating finely chopped mushrooms with ground meat in an effort to make a creative, yet sustainable product. The burger that Chef Greg Daniels has created alongside his team, called the “Haven Breakfast Burger,” has 25% mushroom chorizo, a house beef grind, sharp cheddar, maple coffee braised bacon, a fried egg, arugula, Haven ketchup, all snuggled in between an OC Baking Company double egg-washed brioche bun. The opportunity to try this tasty burger lasts until July 31st, when the competition comes to a close.
Another restaurant competing in the James Beard Foundation’s Blended Burger Project is Holsteins Shakes and Buns in Las Vegas, 
creating a burger called “The Forager.” The Forager is a blend of roasted mushrooms and Kobe beef, mixed green, Hostein’s creamy steak sauce, tomato confit, marmalade onions, swiss cheese, and a fried egg to top it off.
