Boca Burger Battle Judges

Meet our 2025 Grill Master Judges

The Grill Master Judges are the heart of the Boca Burger Battle—bringing their culinary expertise and passion for food to this ultimate burger showdown. Our hand-picked panel of Grill Master Judges includes renowned chefs, food writers, restaurateurs, and local tastemakers. These experts will sample every burger and french fry entry at the event, using their discerning palates to crown the champions of the Boca Burger Battle. On Saturday, July 12th, the Grill Master Judges will determine the winners for:

  • 🏆 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Best Grill Master
  • 🏆 Best French Fry Master

Meanwhile, guests will also play a crucial role by voting for the People’s Choice Best Battle Burger and the Best Battle French Fry—making this a truly community-powered competition in Florida.

Why the Grill Master Judges Matter

At the Boca Burger Battle, our Grill Master Judges evaluate each burger based on a strict rubric:

  • Taste – overall flavor and seasoning balance
  • Presentation – visual appeal and creativity
  • Toppings – how well they complement the patty
  • Bun Integrity – ability to hold it all together
  • Originality – unique flavors and standout combinations

Their expertise ensures a fair, exciting competition where the very best burger and fry creations shine.

Get Your Tickets and Meet the Judges in Person

Don’t miss your chance to meet the Grill Master Judges, sample unlimited burgers and fries (Bites!), beer, wine, spirits, and vote for your favorites. Get your Boca Burger Battle Tickets now and experience the ultimate Boca Raton Culinary Showdown!

Meet Grill Master Judge Carmine Gialanella

Born and raised in New York, Carmine Gialanella now calls himself a Floridian. He lives and breathes the South Florida lifestyle. For over a decade, he’s been a familiar voice on WiLD 95.5, keeping listeners entertained during their morning commute with his show, “Carmine & Maegan In The Morning.”

When he’s not on the air, you’ll find Carmine trying his luck at Hard Rock Casino Hollywood or traveling with his better half, Tyla. A self-proclaimed burger connoisseur, Carmine is thrilled to be a part of the Boca Burger Battle and can’t wait to help crown the best burgers in South Florida!

WiLD 95.5  Web

CBS NEWS 12
Sam Kerrigan

Meet Grill Master Judge Sam Kerrigan

Sam Kerrigan is the morning co-anchor of CBS12 News. She spent six years as “Traffic Jam Sam,” reporting from the studio and the CBS12 “Traffic Tracker.”

A proud South Florida native, Sam is deeply involved in the community. She showcases local changemakers every Monday in her “Hometown Heroes” segment on CBS12 News. Additionally, she contributes a similar “Heroes” column for Palm Beach Illustrated magazine.

Sam graduated from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active, attending local sporting events, spending time with family and friends, and traveling the world.

CBS News 12 | Web

Common Man Eats - Foodie Blogger
Dante Nardini - Common Man Eats

Meet Grill Master Judge Dante Nardini

As the creator of Common Man Eats, Dante has spent years digging into Florida’s dynamic food culture — one bite at a time. From food trucks to fine dining, his blog captures the laid-back, local flavor of the Sunshine State through honest reviews, drool-worthy photography, video content, and storytelling makes you feel like you’re at the table with him.

A proud Florida native, Dante’s passion for food was sparked early. His father, a hotel concierge by day and home cook by night, exposed him to a world of both gourmet experiences and hearty, home-cooked meals. That upbringing gave Dante a unique appreciation for everything from no-frills roadside diners to elegant chef-crafted menus — and it shows in his content.

Earlier this year, Dante brought his sharp palate and relatable foodie charm to the annual Florida Tacos, Wings & Desserts Battle as one of our esteemed judges — and we’re thrilled to welcome him back for another round! This time, he joins the Boca Burger Battle panel, ready to sink his teeth into South Florida’s best burgers and help crown the next champion.

Dante is excited to be back in Boca Raton’s Sanborn Square Park, surrounded by fellow food lovers and incredible culinary talent. Get ready — his taste buds are locked in and hungry for more.

American Culinary Federation Palm Beach County
Vicki Corrao

Meet Grill Master Judge Vicki Corrao

Known as The Countess de la Pasta, Vicki Corrao is a culinary powerhouse. She has a rich history in the restaurant industry. She is the former owner of three Italian restaurants on Mulberry Street in New York City’s Little Italy, where she honed her passion for Italian cuisine and hospitality.

Vicki has lent her discerning palate to numerous judging panels for Cordon Bleu and Johnson & Wales competitions, earning a reputation as a respected voice in the culinary world.

While now retired—though she prefers to call it hobbying—Vicki continues to share her expertise by serving on the board of the Palm Beach American Culinary Federation.

American Culinary Federation – Palm Beach | Web

Palm Beach County, Florida
Robert Weinroth

Meet Grill Master Judge Robert Weinroth

Robert Weinroth was elected to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in 2018. He also served as Mayor of Palm Beach County. A longtime resident of Boca Raton, Robert brings a wealth of experience in business, public service, and community involvement to the judging panel.

Robert is a long-time favorite Grill Master Judge at the Boca Burger Battle. He’s a true burger lover, always eager to sample the boldest and most creative burger creations—and help crown South Florida’s best.

He’s married to Pamela and is the proud father of four boys in their blended family.

Former Palm Beach County Commissioner, Mayor – District 4 | Web

The Boca Raton Tribune
Douglas Heizer

Meet Grill Master Judge Douglas Heizer

Douglas Heizer is the publisher of The Boca Raton Tribune. It’s a trusted local news source serving the Boca Raton community. Under Douglas’s leadership, the Tribune strives to deliver the most relevant stories in the most efficient way possible, always keeping the interests of readers at the forefront.

What many people may not know is that the Tribune’s success is fueled by a dedicated team—including a thriving internship program for college and high school students. Douglas is incredibly proud of the program, which offers students hands-on experience in journalism. From day one, interns take on real responsibilities—writing articles, managing the website, and contributing to the paper’s overall success.

Douglas is proud to bring his community spirit and passion for supporting local talent to the Boca Burger Battle judging panel.

The Boca Raton Tribune | Web

A Boca Burger Battle Judge Video - Chef John Cortes from Tucker Dukes