Noah Matthews knows what he like’s on a burger – and his efforts led to his “Crazy Club Burger” being published in a national restaurant chain’s cookbook.

The 9-year-old from Mechanicsville was already a fan of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers when his family received an e-mail about the 4th annual “Red Robin Kids’ Cook-Off” Cookbook.

“We belong to Red Robin clubs,” his mom Sara said, “like if you sign up for their Kids’ Club.” As his mother was saying, “It was just an e-mail that we got and it said to enter the contest,” Noah interjected with, “You had to create a burger.”

His creation stemmed from his desire for a club sandwich. “We were sitting at the computer together and then I wanted my mom to fix me a club sandwich for lunch and that’s how we came up with.” Sara said her son’s burger “is kind of like a burger and a club sandwich combined.”

According to Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Noah’s “Crazy Club Burger” is made with a burger patty, shaved Virginia ham, shaved smoked turkey, cheddar cheese, horseradish mustard, tomato, Swiss cheese, light mayonnaise and bacon on toasted sourdough bread.

“A little Red Robin seasoning” makes the burger better, Noah added.

Noah had to submit a 100-word statement on why his burger should be America’s next gourmet burger. “Because I know that 8-year-olds like me would love it,” Noah said. He was 8 when he submitted his recipe.

“The kids’ menu is geared toward smaller kids and is usually not enough food for me and it still leaves me hungry,” he said. “Also, sometimes it is difficult for me to find something on the adult menu that I like. I know that every kid my age would love the ‘Crazy Club Burger’.”

Red Robin chose the cookbook recipes “based on their inventive combination of ingredients and fun flavors, and the accompanying 100-word statement.”

For his entry, Noah received a $40 gift card to Red Robin, “a nice meal” at the restaurant and a copy of the cookbook, which became available online on Tuesday, Aug. 3. He is quick to admit he is a fan of the popular burger eatery.

Red Robin received 11,000 recipes, with 50, including Noah’s, being tapped for inclusion in the cookbook.

Also featured in the cookbook are a recipe from Cook-Off celebrity judge, the Food Network’s Robin Miller, and back-to-school safety tips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Red Robin’s goal in publishing the safety tips is to provide an opportunity for kids and parents to talk about them while cooking together.

When he learned about his selection in October, the Matthews family – Brent, Sara, Noah, Sam, 6, and Hannah, 4 — was invited to dinner by Red Robin.

On Tuesday, July 27, they had enjoyed a meal at Red Robin as they celebrated Sara and Sam’s birthdays. “We went and got free sundaes,” Noah said excitedly.

A rising fifth-grader at Laurel Meadow Elementary School, Noah said he enjoys basketball, swimming, watching television, and playing Nintendo DS, GameCube and Wii.

The cookbook can be downloaded – free of charge – at www.redrobin.com.

——-

To learn more about the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit its website at www.missingkids.com.