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McDonald's burger designer from Sittingbourne, Tammy Rose, responds to new-found fame

17:00, 22 October 2014

A Sittingbourne mum who created a burger that could be eaten by millions has spoken of her surprise at her new-found fame.

Tammy Rose designed The Big Uno as part of a nationwide McDonald’s competition.

She beat 98,000 other entries to see her recipe chosen as one of only five to be sold by the fast food giant.

Tammy's burger was sold in 1,200 outlets across the country
Tammy's burger was sold in 1,200 outlets across the country

Her creation was due to finish its run in 1,200 restaurants across the country today (Wednesday), but it could make a comeback if enough people vote for it on the competition website.

The Big Uno features a beef patty topped with cheese, bacon, red onion, lettuce, ketchup and cool mayo inside a sesame seed bun.

But her burger has come a long way since she first entered - initially it was going to be called The McGluten Free.

The 38-year-old, who follows a special diet, wanted to make a burger using a bread that could be eaten by coeliacs like herself.

She said: “I actually can only eat [McDonald's] burgers without the buns. I’ve been eating them like this for years because only the actual patties are gluten-free.

But McDonald's informed her its kitchens were not equipped to make a coeliac-friendly burger and asked Tammy if she would change the name and tweak the recipe.

Although she thought about pulling out of the competition, she decided she should continue and use it as an opportunity to tell McDonald's it should provide buns without gluten.

Tammy with her husband Adrian and daughters Heidi, five, and Annie, seven
Tammy with her husband Adrian and daughters Heidi, five, and Annie, seven

“I went to the London HQ, got my foot in the door and spoke to them about why gluten-free is important.”

Tammy hopes that if enough coeliacs vote for her burger and say they want it in a suitable bun, McDonald’s will put it on the menu permanently.

The amateur chef, who lives just off Highsted Road with her husband Adrian and daughters Annie, seven, and Heidi, five, has felt like a celebrity in her local McDonald’s outlets.

“Going into the Bobbing branch was like being David Beckham because they all recognised me,” she said “Now I’m known as ‘The Tammy Rose’.

“I didn’t even get to the till before all the staff recognised me and gave me a big round of applause.”

To vote for The Big Uno go to www.myburger.mcdonalds.co.uk and for more information about the coeliac dietry condition go to www.coeliac.org.uk

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