Nawabi Galouti beat out almost 200 other burgers to take the crown for One80, with the five finalists selected from more than 17,000 customer ratings, before being assessed by a panel of independent judges.

The winning burger features a lamb patty, pulled lamb shoulder filo cigar, lamb snow and chicory in a Clareville Bakery croissant bun.

Executive Chef Chetan Pangam says the burger was inspired by stories of the Awadhi Nawabs, who lived in Northern India in the 17th century. The Nawabs were known for smoking cigars, eating rich food, and having no teeth. According to legend, a Nawabi chef minced lamb meat 100 times with spices to create a ‘toothless kebab’ dish that didn’t need to be chewed.

A panel of independent judges chose the winner from five finalists, with judges commenting that the lamb in the winning burger Nawabi Galouti ‘melts in your mouth’ and that ‘the almost pâté-like texture was amazing to eat’.  They also noted the thought and effort that went into the planning and execution of the dish, with one remarking  that “the labour of love that the chef has put into this is so clear, it really shines through in every aspect of the dish that was considered very deeply”. 

Chetan says that he started working on this year’s winning burger right after he’d won the 2023 Burger Wellington title with Goan Chicken Ros Pao

"The tremendous hours put in by me and the team have been so worthwhile - we’ve seen diners turn out in droves during the festival to try our burger,” says Chetan. 

"To not only win again but to do it twice in a row is surreal. It is truly a humbling experience and I’m just over the moon!"

One80 receive $1000 in stock from Garage Project, $500 credit from Gilmours Wellington and free entry into next year's Burger Wellington competition.

Full list of winners:

Burger Wellington - overall winners

• One80 Restaurant ‘Nawabi Galouti’ - WINNER 

• Zephyr Cafe ‘A Frankenstein Adventure’ SECOND PLACE

• Sushil's Musclechef Kitchen and Café ‘Celebration of Spices’ - THIRD PLACE 

Burger Wellington - Regional Winners: 

• Kapiti - Hey Coastie ‘Cluckin’ Good Chilli Crisp’

• Porirua - Sushil's Musclechef Kitchen and Café ‘Celebration of Spices’

• Hutt City - Baylands Brewery ‘Stack Attack’

• Upper Hutt - Keihei Chicken ‘Gimme A Coal’

• Wairarapa - The White Swan Country Hotel ‘Fowl Play’

 Other Festival Awards

• Best Use of Theme  (Burger) A Frankenstein Adventure, Zephyr Cafe

• Best Use of Theme (Event) Clay with your Food, Karla Marie Ceramics and Chef Ben Mac

• Most Innovative (Burger)  Construct-a-burg, The Inn Keeper 

• Most Innovative (Event) Maumahara, Kasey and Kārena Bird with Kitchen Takeover