SOUTHAMPTON’S Shrimp and Burger bar and restaurant has been shortlisted for a prestigious national burger award.

The restaurant, which only opened its doors to the public in November, fought off strong competition from across the country to be shortlisted alongside nationally recognised restaurant brands.

The restaurant’s chef, Wilson Bourges, entered Shrimp and Burger’s most popular burger The Louisiana; a handmade beef burger served with hickory smoked bacon, crunchy peanut butter and smoked Applewood cheese, after reading about the competition online.

Wilson will be representing the Southampton eatery when he attends the finals in London. Wilson will be serving up the Louisiana and then creating another burger from a selection of ingredients supplied by the competition’s organiser Casual Dining magazine.

“We were delighted when we heard that we had been shortlisted, said Shrimp and Burger’s manager Andy Maynard.

“We have only been open a short while and to already be so this is already a great achievement and we are looking forward to going head-to-head with the other contenders.”