Suzanne Banfield

2009 Grand Prize Winner

Retired systems planner from Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Inspiration for the Roman Patty Melt

I was researching recipes from the 1950s and 1960s, trying to recapture foods from my growing-up years. When I found a recipe for a classic patty melt sandwich, I remembered the fun we had eating them at old-fashioned luncheonette counters. I grilled up a batch, but was surprised that they actually seemed a little boring. So I decided to update the patty melt with my favorite Italian flavors. I started out by using a small amount of sausage meat to flavor the beef, but it made the patty too tough. It was my husband’s idea to add the Italian sausage ingredients directly to the beef – freshly ground fennel, fresh oregano, grated Pecorino Romano cheese and a touch of Sutter Home Zinfandel made all the difference in giving me a juicy, flavorful patty. Another important flavor ingredient was the Colavita Balsamic Glace; it made the pepper and onion topping really sing. The burger came together with a soft pecorino cheese, some fresh basil, a sun-dried tomato aioli, and grilled slices of good Italian bread.

Memories of BBB:

The whole weekend was dream-like, starting with the sight of the white tents on the manicured grounds of the Sutter Home Victorian Inn in the middle of Napa Valley where the cook-off was held. My husband, Ed, and I had fun from the minute we arrived until we reluctantly had to leave. 

The Trinchero family and their extended “family” of employees are the best hosts and hostesses in the world. They thought of everything and more to make sure we were comfortable and cared for – think “royal treatment” and you’ll have an idea of what I mean. Chef Jeffrey Starr and his staff were fantastic, getting us the very best ingredients, treating us to a fabulous banquet, and just being available to help us make sure we understood our grills. It was such a delight to meet James McNair after enjoying so many of his cookbooks for so many years. I loved that we got feedback from James and the other judges right on the spot. Going to New York for the Today show was a blast – and again, I had angels sent by Sutter Home to guide me every step of the way.

As if all this wasn’t enough, my fellow contestants and their guests were just fantastic. I know that some of us will still feel connected years from now because of this memorable weekend.

Other Notable Wins

Finalist, National Chicken Cooking Contest, 2009
Grand Prize, Dole/Wegman’s “Make Every Day Shine” Contest, 2009
Winner, Better Homes and Gardens Side Dishes, 2008