Warwickshire burger brand Libertine Burger is in the running to be crowned as the UK's best burger after being shortlisted in a national award.

The popular business, which has restaurants in Leamington Spa, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon, has been named among 16 finalists in this year's prestigious National Burger Awards, which marks its 10th anniversary in 2024.

On top of this, Libertine Burger has also been declared a finalist in the West Midlands Tourism Awards, reflecting its huge role in attracting food lovers to the area for its brilliant burgers.

The company's chefs will now take on some of the biggest names in the burger world in a live cook-off in London on 20 February for the National Burger Awards to see whose signature burger creation will be named best in the UK.

In addition to the signature round, chefs will participate in a technical challenge that will see them create a burger from a specific selection of ingredients supplied by event sponsors in a bid to be crowned Burger Chef of the Year.

They will also take part in a meat-free burger round sponsored by Redefine Meat. Winners of every round will be chosen by a hand-picked panel of esteemed industry judges, including former victors of the competition.

Libertine's entry is its #044 beef burger, a 150g signature beef patty, with crispy smoky bacon, truffle mayo, crispy onions, smoked Applewood cheddar, American cheese, ketchup, French's mustard, lettuce and pickles.

Founder Charles Harris said: "We're over the moon that one of our burgers is in the running to be declared the best in the UK.

"The National Burger Awards are a showcase of the best of the best when it comes to burgers, so to be finalists among some of the most respected burger brands in the country really is an accolade. We can't wait to show off our #044 beef burger at the finals next month and give the judges what we hope is the best burger they've ever had."

Libertine Burger launched in 2017 and has gone on to become a staple on the street food scene.

As well as its restaurants and a food truck that tours the UK's biggest festivals, the business - whose headquarters is in Leamington Spa - serves up over a thousand takeaway burgers each week from its sites in Warwickshire as well as sending its burger kits across the country so people can enjoy them in their own homes.

Libertine's perfect patties led to them reaching the National Burger Awards finals three times, being crowned UK winners in 2019. Libertine also made it to the finals of both the British Street Food Awards and the Street Food Championships in 2021. They were also Midlands finalists for the Just Eat awards last year.

As well as starting 2024 as a finalist in the National Burger Awards, Libertine Burger has also been shortlisted for the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2024 in the Taste of the Midlands category. The awards will be announced at an event on Wednesday, 20th March at The Bear Grylls Adventure venue at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

Charles added: "One of our aims was always to put Warwickshire and the Midlands on the map when it comes to great food, so to be shortlisted in the West Midlands Tourism Awards is great news. We look forward to hearing the results and celebrating our fellow Midlands businesses at the awards event in March."