For the ultimate in culinary opulence, a new record has been set for the world’s most expensive hamburger. Valued at €5,000 (£4,295 or $5,967), the burger, aptly named “The Golden Boy,” is a gilded and luxurious creation that has secured a place in the Guinness World Records.
The extravagant dish was crafted by chef Robbert Jan De Veen and placed on the menu at his restaurant, The Daltons, in Voorthuizen, Gelderland, in 2021. The record-breaking burger is an incredible assemblage of some of the world’s most rare and expensive ingredients, all meticulously combined to create a unique flavor profile.
The decadent burger is made with 100% Japanese Wagyu A5 meat and is topped with an array of gourmet additions, including Beluga caviar, king crab, Spanish Paleta Ibérico, and white truffle. The bun, made with Dom Pérignon champagne dough, is coated in 24-karat gold leaf. The burger’s richness is balanced with a barbecue sauce made from Kopi Luwak coffee and Macallan whisky, along with a mayonnaise made from smoked duck eggs.
While the price tag is staggering, the story behind the burger is one of purpose and generosity. De Veen conceived of the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of great hardship for the restaurant industry. He sold the first “Golden Boy” to a local business conglomerate and donated the entire proceeds to a food bank, raising awareness about poverty in the Netherlands.
The monumental burger is more than just a meal; it is a meticulously crafted work of art, a symbol of luxury, and a testament to the fact that food can be a vehicle for both creativity and a good cause.
