Which Hoedies restaurant makes the best Farmwatch burger

Herald supports this initiative and will be featuring the Farmwatch Burgers that restaurants will be creating in the coming weeks.

Timbavati Safari Lodge’s Farmwatch Burger is a 180g pure beef patty coated in emmental cheese, topped with caramelised red onion, drenched in fig and strawberry reduction, accompanied by fresh lettuce, basil leaves and tomato. Served with chips for R115.

Over ten restaurants in the Hoedspruit area have come together to show solidarity and raise much needed funds for Hoedspruit Farmwatch.

These restaurants will be participating in the farmwatch burger challenge.

“The idea is that all restaurants selling burgers add an additional item to their menu and call it The Farmwatch Burger. This burger will be of their own creation and sold at their own price. The profit of each burger will be donated to Farmwatch,” said organiser Ron Hopkins.

He told Herald that the initiative, is a classic case of the community supporting the restaurants who are in turn supporting Farmwatch. Hopkins said the Farmwatch Burger Challange will run until the end of the year.

Kalimambo’s Farmwatch Burger features Wagyu beef, a Japanese breed used to produce Kobe steaks. The high marbling, melting texture and exquisite flavour of Wagyu beef patties are combined with double cheese, gherkins, onions, tomato and lettuce. iIt is topped with their very own pink sauce and served with chips. Price is R120 and they will be giving R30 to Farmwatch.

Also read: Hoedspruit initiative reaps good harvest

“Customers will write their names and telephone numbers on the back of the till slip and drop it in a box provided, one ticket will be drawn and the winner will receive a free tyre tube ride down the Blyde River for four people,” he said.

Hopkins said the year 2020 will go down as one of the most disastrous periods in history. He said the coronavirus has brought the world to its knees and Hoedspruit has not been spared.

“Almost every person in our little town has suffered from a huge reduction in income with all the associated side issues. Residents have cut back on some aspects of their lives which has had devastating effects. However, we cannot ignore the fact that Farmwatch is a vital part of our lives and we cannot allow them to disappear due to lack of funds. It is fair to assume that we will not be able to hold the annual Farmwatch fundraiser party in the foreseeable future so we have had to think of alternative methods of raising funds for them,” he said.

Sleepers Pub and Grill’s Farmwatch Burger boasts an original Sleepers beef patty or grilled chicken breast, basted with their homemade basting. Served on a freshly baked Portuguese roll with lettuce and tomato and smothered in their creamy bacon and mushroom sauce with chips and onion rings. 170g pattie R99 and 250g R122. They will donate R15 to Hoedspruit Farmwatch.

Also read: Hoedspruit Farmer’s Market back in business

Restaurants that are taking part in the challenge so far are Sleepers Restaurant & Pub, Three Bridges, Bush Pub Inn, Wild Dogz Burger Bar, Stoned Olive, Kalimambo, Outback Pub and Grill, Meridian Blue, Timbavati Safari Lodge, Silver Spur, Deli @Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, Maroela Bar, Thirsty Giraffe and Melodies.

To have your burger featured, contact Nkhensani Nkhwashu at journo2@herald. co.za