Burger Cookoff | Palmetto Optimist

2026 Savor Sumter Gourmet Burger Cookoff
for Childhood Cancer

🍔 Savor Sumter Gourmet Burger Cookoff

One day. Ten burger teams. Hundreds of hungry guests. Thousands of dollars raised for local children battling cancer.

Join us September 12, 2026 from Noon to 4:00 PM at the Downtown Sumter Brody Pavilion as Sumter's best backyard grillmasters compete for bragging rights while helping local families facing childhood cancer.

Whether you're competing, sponsoring, shopping local vendors, or just coming to eat burgers, you'll make a difference.

Think Your Burger is the Best in Sumter?

Compete

Support one of Sumter's favorite family events.

Sponsor

Showcase Your Business While Supporting Local Children

Be a Vendor

Register Your Team

🍔 Gourmet slider tasting

🏆 People's Choice voting

👨‍👩‍👧 Family activities

🎵 Family Karaoke!

🛍 Local vendors

🍟 Fries, cotton candy & drinks

❤️ Support local children battling cancer

Tasting Tickets on Sale at Event

RSVP on Facebook

Only 10 Teams Accepted
Vendor Spaces Limited
Sponsor Deadline August 25th
Rain or Shine Event

Family Friendly
Parking behind Sumter Opera House
Cash & Cards Accepted
One vote per attendee

2026 Team Guidelines

How it Works

Teams of 4 or more will compete by crafting their own custom slider-sized competing teams before voting for their favorite gourmet burgers on-site.
Attendees will sample versions of your burger and vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice competition.
A panel of judges will also select a winner, so bring your A-game!
Whether you're backyard grill masters or first-time burger builders, everyone has a chance to win!
Guests receive burger tickets and sample slider-sized portions from competing teams before voting for their favorite.

Why Compete

Because every burger served helps Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP) provide access to lifesaving treatment for children in Sumter and Clarendon Counties. Your team will be part of a community coming together to support families during their toughest battles.

Compete for: People's Choice Champion and Judges' Choice Champion

Team Entry Includes

Booth Space with room to grill and serve
We provide enough beef, buns, serving boats, gloves, and paper towels to serve event attendees.
Two tables and tablecloths
Opportunity to showcase your team, business, or organization to hundreds of community members
Event aprons for 4 team members.
Recognition in event materials and social media
The chance to win bragging rights and a trophy
A day full of fun, food, and purpose!

Team will Provide

1. Cooking Equipment

Grill (propane, charcoal, wood, blackstone)
Fire extinguisher
Cookware and utensils

2. Booth Setup

Tent
Chairs
Extensionion cords and generator (if needed)

3.Ingredients

Condiments and specialty toppings
Non-beef ingredients
Prep supplies

Compete

Teams may include local businesses, civic organizations, churches, families, and groups of friends. Whether you're competing for the trophy or simply supporting a great cause, you'll leave with full stomachs, great memories, and the satisfaction of making a difference for local children.

Teams must pay an entry fee of $250 no later than September 1, 2026. Checks may be made payable to Palmetto Optimist Club, 1390 Malone Dr, Sumter, SC 29154. This covers the cost of supplies provided including beef, buns, serving boats, serving gloves and paper towels.
Teams may begin set-up as early as 9:00 AM and should arrive no later than 11:00 AM. All vehicles must be out of the lot by 11:00 AM. Burgers may not be sold until 12:00 PM.
All entry fees are non-refundable. If you are unable to participate, the fees will be considered a donation.
We recommend that all non-beef ingredients that require preparation (chopped lettuce, diced onions, sliced tomatoes, etc.) be prepared in advance.
Plan your equipment needs in advance - tent and tent weights, coolers/storage, serving tools/chafing dish, grills (rented grills are allowed), power generator, and cleaning supplies.
We encourage teams to decorate, wear matching shirts, and have fun with their theme.
A full list of ingredients for your burger must be turned in prior to the event, and must be visible at your station so that attendees are aware of possible allergy conflicts. We will provide signage with the ingredients listed.
Photos and video will be used as promotional materials by Palmetto Optimist Club and Children’s Cancer Partners and such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

2026 Sponsorship Levels

Every sponsorship changes lives. Last year, Children's Cancer Partners helped local families travel hundreds of miles for lifesaving treatment without worrying about transportation, lodging, or meals. Your sponsorship helps ensure that children in Sumter and Clarendon Counties can focus on healing, not the cost of getting there.