I consider myself to be a connoisseur of hamburgers. As a pretty picky eater, a hamburger is something I can count on to find and enjoy on almost any restaurant menu. However, that doesn’t mean all hamburgers are created equal.

In our special publication, Shelby Living magazine, we’re determined to get to the bottom of who really serves the best burger in Shelby County in our first Best of the Best Shelby County contest.

The contest gives readers a forum to weigh in on the best burger and 29 other categories, including best fine dining restaurant, best barbecue, best place to people watch, best golf, best church choir, best family doctor and more.

Through June 17, you can write in nominations for any establishment located within Shelby County via our online ballot or print ballot found inside Shelby Living magazine.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, also. Nominations don’t have to be a business. If you think your mother makes the best fried green tomatoes in the county, nominate her and spread the word for others to vote for her, too.

On June 18, we’ll count the write-in nominations and list the top three in each category. We’ll open the voting a second time so you can help us narrow it down from three to one. The second ballot will be available in the July/August issue of Shelby Living and will be online June 18.

In the September/October issue of Shelby Living, we’ll reveal the results of all your voting. We hope the issue will act as your guide to all the best food, recreation, businesses and entertainment in the county. Winners will be announced and awarded at a Best of the Best party in September.

One lucky reader drawn at random will also be rewarded for their voting by receiving a Best of the Best gift basket.

So what are you waiting for? I know you’ve got opinions, so make them official by going online and voting today. The online ballot is available at ShelbyLiving.com/Bestofthebest.

Katie Hurst is the Lifestyles Editor for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at 669-3131 ext. 19 or by email at katie.hurst@shelbycountyreporter.com.