I bet you didn’t know that eating burgers can help beat cancer? You won’t find any medical journals covering this remarkable breakthrough but it’s true because London based hamburger chain Byron is once again taking part in the annual Movember charity fund-raiser. Movember is a moustache-growing charity event held every November which raises funds and awareness for men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer. Originating in Australia, it’s spreading across the global and growing in popularity here in the UK.
Byron is aiming to build on it’s success last year with an even bigger campaign. Central to their effort is a special one-off burger created with the help of chef and TV presenter Gizzi Erskine. For every one of these cheesy hunks purchased during Movember Byron will donate 50p to this worthy cause.
So, on to that special cheeseburger. I was lucky to be invited to a special early tasting at Byron’s Haymarket branch. The Gizz-mo as it is known, is a cheeseburger with a twist, the Byron 6oz Aberdeen Angus patty is topped with a Welsh rarebit topping. This oozy number features, mature cheddar, smoked cheddar, English mustard, Guinness stout and a good splash of Worcestershire sauce. It certainly sounds tasty, but of course the proof is in the tasting – time to get my whiskers dirty.
Expectations were high, the previous special the Uncle Sam cheeseburger’s passing has been mourned by more than a few of us Burgernauts and I’m pleased to say the Gizz-mo does not disappoint. Sandwiched as it is in Bryon’s standard bun, it is closer to the regular Byron cheeseburger – but the Welsh rarebit topping really is the star here. It’s a gooey slice of win. Joining it are slices of red onion, tomato, lettuce and mayo. There was some disagreement around the table about the inclusion of mayo and tomato – but for me I enjoyed the whole ensemble it propelled me into a wonderful savoury cheesy heaven.
On recent visits I’ve been working my way through the cheeses offered with the Byron cheeseburger (American, mature Cheddar, Monterey Jack, blue cheese and Emmenthal) – to date this rarebit topping is definitely my favourite and I’m sure come the end of November I’ll be mourning it’s demise.
But the good news is that leaves plenty of time to gobble more of these delicious cheeseburgers and help raise more Mo-money for this fantastic cause. And if that isn’t enough, how about a few pictures of the #teamburger and the awfully friendly staff at Byron sporting their ‘taches, aren’t they just lovely?
But, the mo-madness doesn’t end here. Byron have an excellent Mo-tivator for anyone taking part in Movember themselves. They’re offering to reward any registered Mo Bros or Sistas who raise £25 or more with a free hamburger EVERY DAY from November 7th-20th inclusive (3pm-6pm only). They’re aiming to give away at least 20,000 hamburgers, so get your Mo on. Did beating cancer ever taste this good?
Byron are looking to raise over £70,000 for this great cause, the Gizz-mo is priced at £8.25, with 50p donated to the cause. The campaign will be on throughout the month of November.
To take part in Movember register here.
If you would like to support my Movember effort please visit my Mo Bro page.
Byron Canary Wharf – 2nd Floor, Cabot Place East, E14 4QT
Bryon Covent Garden – 33-35 Wellington Street, WC2E 7BN
Byron Haymarket – 11 Haymarket, SW1y 4BP
Byron Kensington – 222 Kensington High Street, W8 7RG
Byron Northcote Rd – 53 Northcote Road, SW11 9NJ
Byron Soho – 97-99 Wardour Street, W1F 0UD
Byron Charing Cross – 24-28 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DT
Byron Earl’s Court – 242 Earl’s Court Road, SW5 9AA
Byron Hoxton – 46 Hoxton Square, N1 6PB
Byron King’s Road – 300 King’s Road, SW3 5UH
Byron Old Brompton Road – 93-95 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3LD
Byron White City – The Loft, Westfield Shopping Centre, W12 7GF
Byron Cheapside – Upper Cheapside Passage, One New Change, EC2V 6AG
Byron Gloucester Road – 75 Gloucester Road, SW7 4SS
Bryon Islington – 341 Upper Street, N1 0PB
Byron Kingston – 4 Jerome Place, KT1 1HT
Byron Putney – 22 Putney High Street, SW15 1SL
Pie For Brains 