LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new Derby Burger Champion has been named. Ira Mowman of Louisville won the title with his “Kentucky Fiesta Cheese Burger." 

He was declared the winner after a cook-off between the top four finalists at the Kroger in Middletown. Mowman’s burger is stacked with ground beef, pico de gallo, avocado spread, chihuahua cheese, romaine blend, Dan-O’s chipotle seasoning, rosemary and sea salt.

Mowman entered the competition for three years in a row. He placed fourth in the 2024 competition and came in third in 2023.

Ira Mowman is holding his “Kentucky Fiesta Cheese Burger” after winning the 2025 Derby Burger Challenge at Kroger in Middletown. (Kentucky Derby Festival)

Mowman’s already been receiving requests from family and friends for him to make his winning recipe. He said the recipe was inspired by his 18-year-old daughter Riniah.

“She is my heart," Mowman said. "She takes after me and loves to cook herself. For this year’s burger, she gave me ideas and encouraged me to think outside the box. I tried not to do your regular burger. I wanted to do something different.”

Mowman said his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother fueled his passion for cooking.

“As my mother tells the story, my love for cooking started when I was 3 or 4 years old," he said. "My first experience cooking was making biscuits." 

This year’s culinary competition featured dozens of original recipes, and nearly 13,000 burger fans voted online to help pick the top four finalists.

At the final cook-off, a panel of judges determined the overall winner based on points accumulated from four factors: Taste, Appearance, Creativity and Ease of Preparation.

All burgers were made of 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef and included Dan-O’s Seasoning and greens from 80 Acres Farms in the recipe.

Steven Rossell of Louisville took second place with his burger “The Cowboy”, and Bette Niemi of Louisville was the third place winner with her burger the “Perfect Peppery Prosciutto Burger”. In fourth place was Greg Yopp of La Grange with the “Brielicious Burger”.

Mowman’s recipe will be featured at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, held April 24 through May 2, as well as inside Kroger stores.

He also received a 2025 Official Derby Festival Poster, two VIP tickets to the Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party, two VIP tickets to Republic Bank BourbonVille, a $100 gift certificate to Kroger, a grilling prize package courtesy of the Kentucky Beef Council, a prize package from Dan-O’s Seasoning and an 80 Acres Farm swag pack.