L-R: Aaron Volpatti, former NHL forward; Hussein Hollands, club owner; Graham Turnbull, Beach Radio/Voice of the Vipers enjoy a Vipers Smash burger from The Roster (Submitted photo/The Roster)

By Pete McIntyre

Charity fundraiser

Former NHL’er tries out Smash Burger as part of Golden Burger Challenge

Oct 13, 2021 | 3:30 PM

A former NHL’er who played junior hockey in Vernon, enjoyed every bite of his effort to support a local society.

Aaron Volpatti, a former Vancouver Canucks and Vernon Vipers forward, tried out the new Vipers Smash Burger at The Rosters Sports Bar & Grill as part of the Golden Burger Challenge to raise funds for the North Okanagan Community Life Society (NOCLS).

“When the opportunity came up to try the Vipers Smash Burger as part of NOCLS’s Golden Burger challenge, I did not hesitate. Besides being one delicious burger, it was great to connect with Graham Turnbull, voice of the Vernon Vipers, while supporting a great cause,” said Volpatti.

Volpatti, who is a member of The Roster’s Sports Club, joined Beach Radio’s Graham Turnbull, on the first day of the city-wide challenge to sample the Roster’s challenge offering.

“It really was delicious and with part of the proceeds from every burger going to support NOCLS, it’s a win-win in my books,” said Turnbull. “We hope lots of people will come out enjoy The Roster’s great burger and to raise much-needed funds to support NOCLS.”

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The Roster is one of 10 Vernon restaurants offering a specialty burger from October 11-24 to raise funds for the social services society.

Club owner Hussein Hollands says NOCLS has been instrumental in the community, working with people with disabilities and facilitating services to families and individuals who wish to live and work in the community independently.

“We really feel NOCLS is a great cause to support,” said Hollands. “And as proud fans of the Vernon Vipers and hockey enthusiasts, The Roster felt it was fitting to name the new burger after the team. I am happy to report our burger was given an enthusiastic thumbs up by all our hockey taste-testers.”

The Viper Smash Burger includes two 3-oz house-made “smashed” patties on a toasted brioche bun with smoked gouda, candied bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, truffle mayo, and crispy onion rings inside and on top for good measure.

Five dollars from every Vipers Smash Burger sold will go toward the society during the Golden Burger challenge, when patrons across the city rate each participating restaurant’s hamburger on creativity, presentation, taste and originality. Every vote automatically enters the customer in a draw to win great prizes.

At the end of the challenge, one restaurant will be awarded the Golden Burger Award with a trophy to proudly display.

The 10 restaurants participating in the challenge held from October 11 – 24 are Roster’s Sports Club Bar & Grill, Alexanders Beach PUB & Liquor Store, Browns Socialhouse, Village Green, Diner on Six, Marten Brewing Bar & Grill, The Longhorn Pub & Liquor Store, EATology, The Kal, MR MIKES, and Bourbon Street Bar & Grill.

by Pete McIntyre

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