**Burger King's Million Dollar Whopper Contest Reveals Finalists**

Imagine having an idea so tantalizing it could transform your life, not through a revolutionary gadget or outlandish scheme, but with a delectable burger. That’s the reality for the three finalists of Burger King’s Million Dollar Whopper contest. After an extensive online competition that saw over 1.5 million entries, Burger King has shortlisted the final three contestants whose burger creations will soon be available nationwide.

Starting November 12, fans can taste these special Whoppers in Burger King's locations across the U.S. and cast their vote for the best one using QR codes on the product packaging. To kick off the excitement, Burger King invited media representatives, including myself, to their headquarters in Miami to preview these innovative burgers. Alongside tasting the contenders, we delved into the meticulous process of narrowing down the initial entries and what defines a true Whopper.

The Million Dollar Whopper Contest exemplifies Burger King's ethos of letting fans "Have it your way." Participants were invited to design a Whopper using up to eight ingredients, incorporating either a flame-grilled or Impossible patty and a sesame seed bun. With the help of generative AI, visuals of the burgers were created to give a realistic preview of each entry. Although the contest generated a flood of suggestions, including some offbeat ones like cotton candy, the BK team had the task of curating feasible and brand-appropriate recipes.

Down to the final 20 recipes, the Burger King test kitchen assessed each burger based on factors such as ingredient sourcing feasibility and alignment with the Whopper brand. Internal taste tests whittled the selections down to the three finalists. Each of the top three contestants, identified only by their first names, enjoyed a trip to Miami for a unique Million Dollar Burger experience, which included a helicopter tour of the city and time in the BK test kitchen.

The first contender, the Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper, features maple bourbon barbecue sauce, bacon, crispy jalapeños, onion strings, maple bacon seasoning, and American cheese atop a flame-grilled patty. This Whopper is reminiscent of a smokehouse burger, with perfectly crunchy bacon and a sweet but not overwhelming barbecue sauce. While it tastes great, it seems like a variation already fit for the menu, ranking it third in my preferences.

Next up is the Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper, a dream for pickle enthusiasts. It includes pickle fries, pickle ranch sauce, bacon, lettuce, and Swiss cheese. The crunchy bacon and fresh lettuce enhance the texture, while the pickle fries add a pleasant heft and distinct flavor. Despite its unique taste, it might be polarizing for those not fond of pickles. However, its originality placed it second on my list. Notably, the pickle fries themselves could become a popular side dish.

The most unconventional entry is the Mexican Street Corn Whopper, featuring street corn spread, lettuce, tomato, Southwest seasoned tortilla crisps, and spicy queso. This Whopper stands out with its elote-like flavor, balanced by the mild cotija cheese and the crunch of tortilla crisps. Its distinctive character and well-rounded composition make it a personal favorite, elevating the Whopper to a different level.

Burger King succeeded in narrowing down 1.5 million entries to three exceptional and diverse creations, each worthy of becoming the Million Dollar Whopper. With the public vote just around the corner, it remains to be seen which burger will earn the coveted title. My fellow writers and I were evenly split in our preferences, reflecting the strength of the competition and the quality of each finalist.