DUBLIN, Ohio — The Philly Style Hoagie Burger is the winner of the "Build Wendy's New Burger" contest, designed to create a new addition to the fast-food chain's menu in 2008. Wendy's announced the winning burger Nov. 15, 2007, to mark the 38th anniversary of the founding of the hamburger chain by Dave Thomas in 1969.
The winning burger, created by Ian Van Camp, a screenwriter from Moorpark, Calif., has two fresh beef patties, sliced ham, Genoa salami, American cheese, fresh onion rings, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and creamy Italian dressing, all on a premium bun.
"I knew if I got too crazy with the ingredients it wouldn't be possible for Wendy's to make — but it had to be unique," said Van Camp. "The fact that Wendy's tested my burger in their food kitchen and that people liked what they tasted — how cool is that? Not many people can say that."
More than 2.1 million unique visitors logged on to the contest's Web site since June. Entrants chose from 54 possible ingredients and created every kind of burger imaginable, ranging from traditional to "experimental." A team of Wendy's hamburger experts selected 10 finalist recipes based on taste, build-ability and originality. Then, Wendy's asked U.S. and Canadian consumers to choose their favorite.
