Owensboro Burger Week is known for creative burgers across the city, but one local collaboration is taking a different approach — using a one-day pop-up to raise money for charity.
Ben Skiadas of the Skiadas Group and Matt Ramsey, known on social media as the “Cooker of Deliciousness,” are teaming up for a Sunday pop-up at The Famous Bistro featuring Ramsey’s viral smash burger recipe. The event will begin at noon and run until the burgers sell out.
Skiadas said the idea grew out of his desire to stay involved with Burger Week even though the Bistro no longer participates in the competition itself.
“Famous Bistro used to do Burger Week the first couple years, and it’s just hard for the size restaurant that we are and the style dining that we do for us to make it work,” Skiadas said. “But I like participating in Burger Week because people get so into it, and it’s a great community event.”
Looking for a way to contribute without competing directly, Skiadas connected with Ramsey about hosting a charitable pop-up.
“We both agreed that doing one of his smash burgers as a pop-up could be a great avenue to run a charity gig during Burger Week,” Skiadas said.
The event will feature Ramsey’s take on a burger that previously went viral on social media — a recipe he said combines simple ingredients with bold flavor.
“It’s called a crack burger,” Ramsey said. “It’s fresh ground beef with ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, and sour cream mixed in. Then we top it with pepper jack cheese, some cowboy candy, and a hot honey aioli.”
The burger itself will be served simply, with diners able to customize their toppings at a bar featuring classic options like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayo.
Skiadas said the concept intentionally leans toward a classic burger experience, something he believes many Burger Week diners appreciate.
“Burger Week has a lot of people making burgers that are outside the box,” Skiadas said. “It makes it hard for a picky eater to enjoy Burger Week sometimes. I’ve heard people say they just want to know who makes the best double bacon cheeseburger in town.”
Instead of competing with Burger Week entries, the team decided to run the event as a one-day fundraiser.
The goal is to sell roughly 650 burgers, with volunteers helping cook and assemble them using portable griddles set up near the restaurant.
“We’re getting volunteers, and we’re just going to start slinging them and cook nonstop,” Ramsey said. “Hopefully, we sell out.”
All proceeds from the event will go toward a charitable cause through the local giving group 10,000 Reasons.
Skiadas explained that the organization brings together community members to support nonprofits through quarterly donations.
“It’s a men’s group that meets once a quarter,” Skiadas said. “The idea is we get 100 men together with 100 bucks each and donate $10,000 to one of three charities that present.”
For the burger pop-up, 10,000 Reasons is sponsoring the ingredients for the event, allowing every dollar from burger sales to go toward a nonprofit.
Ramsey said the experience aligns with his desire to use his growing online platform to benefit the community.
“I really never cooked until about 2010,” Ramsey said. “I got a Weber grill, started messing around with it, and eventually started posting on social media. Somehow it blew up.”
A former nurse who spent more than two decades working in healthcare, Ramsey said cooking began as a hobby centered around feeding family and friends.
“I’m not trained by anyone,” he said. “Everything I do is trial and error. I’m just a guy who likes to come home from work, drink a beer or bourbon, and cook for my family.”
With the popularity of his videos growing, Ramsey said giving back has become increasingly important.
“I feel like I’ve been blessed to have this opportunity, and if I don’t do some good with it, then it’s a waste,” he said.
The pop-up will take place this Sunday at The Famous Bistro beginning at noon. Tickets will be limited to 650 burgers, with sales continuing until they sell out.
Organizers say they hope the event not only raises money for charity but also brings people together during one of Owensboro’s most anticipated food events.
“We’re hoping to sell about 650 burgers,” Skiadas said. “It’s all volunteers helping cook with Matt and me. It’s going to be cool.”
