Find me a burger master! Posh nosh meets greasy spoon for ‘guerilla dining’

Scottish Chef of the Year Neil Forbes is accustomed to serving up fine dining with a French twist, but now he is turning his attention to the fast food favourite – in a Leith cafe.

He is not alone, as a host of top chefs are to follow in his footsteps as a guerilla-style dining event pops up across the Capital in search of the finest burger.

A new dining club – the aptly-named Burgher Burger – will see well-known chefs attempt to create the perfect three-course burger meal at pop-up restaurants across the city.

The club was set up by chef Aoife Behan, 36, who found none of the burgers she tucked into quite hit the spot.

“After too many middle-of-the-road burgers, I started dreaming about my ultimate burger experience, who would cook it and where it would happen,” said Aoife.

“I’d been hearing about pop-up restaurants and then it occurred to me, why not start one myself?

“I really love burgers and I thought this would be a fun way to do it.”

To add to the intrigue, those hoping to try the burgers will have to wait for the names of the venues and chefs – which will change every time – to be revealed.

Hungry diners have already been queuing up for a slice of the action, with tickets selling out in eight minutes.

Neil Forbes, who usually prepares dishes at Cafe St Honore, in Thistle Street, will be the first to take on the challenge.

The inaugural event will be held at Now Rest in Bonnington Road, in February.

On the menu is seafood cocktail, a cheese and bacon beef burger, crinkle-cut chips, onion rings, gooey brownie and vanilla ice-cream.

News of the tasty test spread fast after Aoife, of Comely Bank, launched a Facebook and Twitter campaign. Aoife, who has run the popular Edinburgh supper club My Home Supper for the past eight months, said: “I really was surprised when all of the tickets for the first event sold out in eight minutes.

“It’s definitely appealing to a different market, and I think more men will be interested.

“Burgher Burger will appeal to people who are interested in food but are more interested in having a great night out.

“It will be a cross between going to a nightclub and a traditional restaurant.”

Aoife is remaining tight-lipped on the chefs lined up to get behind the grill, but said: “They are going to be high-end, people who are well-known on the Edinburgh food scene.”

And her perfect burger?

“I’m quite a traditionalist – the bacon cheese burger is the one for me. It’s got to be medium rare with a bun.”

There is no set lifespan for Burgher Burger, and the decision to hold the supper club is to be taken on a month-to-month basis.

Aoife added: “We don’t know how long this will go on for, so people who want to come along shouldn’t wait!”

• For more details, visit www.burgherburger.co.uk